An Analysis of Two Comparative E-commerce Companies in China Dissertation

An Analysis of Two Comparative E-commerce Companies in China - Dissertation Example As a result, business trust is built only when consumers have opportunities to conduct business in a face-to-face context. Thus it is generally concluded that e-commerce challenges in China is a result of a deficiency in trust in online merchants and the fact that individuals purchase goods in the absence of a face-to-fact meeting and an absence of â€Å"guanxi† (interpersonal relations).3 This research study seeks to provide an understanding of how and why e-commerce has been slow to develop in China. We examine and analyse, organizational culture and its impact on competitive strategies in China’s e-commerce business and the impact of Chinese culture on the e-commerce business in China and on organizational culture generally. This study is conducted by virtue of a qualitative case study in which a comparative analysis of two e-businesses forms the basis of the research: E-bay China and Taobao. Table of Contents Abstract 2 Chapter One 5 Introduction 5 1.1Introduction t o the Study 5 1.2. Problem Definition and Key Questions 12 1.3 Research Aims and Objectives 13 1.4 Motivation for Study 13 1.5 Importance of the Study 14 1.6 Research Task 15 1.7 Structure of the Thesis 15 Chapter Two 16 A Review of the Literature 16 2.1. Introduction 17 This research study attempts to answer key questions namely: 17 2.2. The Significance of E-Commerce for Organizational Performance and Success 18 2.3. The Impact of Organizational and Environmental Factors on E-Commerce Success 20 2.4. Obstacles to E-Commerce in China 25 2.5. Conclusion 28 Chapter Three 29 Research Methodology 29 3.1. Introduction 29 3.2. The Nature of the Enquiry 30 3.3. Sampling 31 3.4. Questionnaire Development and Interview Schedule Development 32 3.5. Treatment of Bias in Study 33 3.6. Non Responses 33 3.7. Ethical Considerations 34 Chapter Four 36 Qualitative Data Analysis 36 4.1. Introduction 36 4.2. Qualitative Theme: Cluster Analysis 37 4.3. Results 38 4.4. Reliability and Validity Analyses 40 4.5. Association Between Variables/Constructs 41 4.6. Conclusion 42 Chapter Five 43 Discussion and Conclusion 43 5.1. Major Research Findings 43 5.2. Implications of the Study 47 5.3. Limitations of the Study 48 5.4. Further Research 48 Bibliography 51 Appendices...............................................................................................................................50 Chapter One Introduction 1.1 Introduction to the Study E-commerce is driven by global, environmental and policy issues that function to determine the extent to which e-commerce diffusion emerge in a particular environment. Business to business (B2B) e-commerce is typically steered by global factors and business-to-consumer (B2C) appears to be driven by local factors. However, in B2B e-commerce, businesses are under pressure to adopt B2C e-commerce strategies in local markets so as to remain competitive. Thus, local consumer markets and local e-commerce is important for businesses wishing to re main competitive globally. Although all consumers are attracted to â€Å"convenience and low prices†, there is a difference in terms of consumer attitudes, preferences values, culture and distribution along consumer markets in different countries.4 This