Can micro-enterprises leverage on the adoption of corporate websites to bolster their brand visibility? Examining salient adoption issues in Nigeria

Abstract

The present study seeks to bring to the fore contextual factors that are influencing the decision-making process of corporate website adoption among micro-enterprises in the context of the developing world. We argue that the adoption of corporate websites by the decision-makers of micro-enterprises could be a strategic lever for micro-enterprises’ brands to gain visibility in the marketplace. We further opine that for micro-enterprises to gain a foothold in doing business in the present information age, it is imperative for such businesses to take advantages of the opportunities inherent on the World Wide Web. Based on our findings, there is evidence to show that aside from the applicability of the technology-organisation-environment (TOE) contexts as significant contributing factors in the adoption of corporate websites by micro enterprises, the decision-makers’ demographics equally play a significant role. The findings of the study may assist policy makers and stakeholders within the Nigerian Internet ecosystem to focus their attention on specific key areas that are aimed at supporting the diffusion and adoption of corporate websites among micro-enterprises. © 2015, © The Author(s) 2015.