E-commerce adoption within SME's in Ghana, a Tool for Growth?

Electronic commerce, the act of trading online, with its myriad of potential has been seldom looked at within the context of developing countries. E-commerce presents SMEs in developing economies the opportunity to adequately compete on a global stage. The exponential growth of e-commerce in developed economies further widens the financial gap between developed and developing economies. This study looks at a practical e-commerce adoption framework for Ghanaian SMEs and by extension, developing economies and looks at the net benefits that are available to current adopters. The study uses structural equation modeling, using Partial least squares (PLS) regression to analyze the data in the research. Using PLS algorithms as well as bootstrapping calculations. It combines the use of surveys (154) and interviews (38) as means of data collection. The findings of the research indicate that there is a need for legislation on e-commerce trading to regulate the trade in Ghana, with policies such as e-contracting and e-signature laws among others. Also, a current call for an expansion of the mobile payment methods within the country. For the private investor, a ripe market for logistics services. The study also proposes a simple guideline for SMEs looking to adopt or expand their e-commerce usage, that considers technological, organizational and environmental factors that come to play within e-commerce adoption.