Factors Affecting the E-Commerce Adoption by Small Hotels: A Comparative Case Study

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are spreading rapidly and affecting almost all aspects of daily life, including businesses. The tourism and hospitality industry have been largely affected by advancements in ICTs. ICTs offer both opportunities and challenges for SMEs in the tourism and hospitality industry. Although large companies have been quick to adopt ICTs with rich resources, SMEs have been slow to adopt these technologies in general for various reasons, especially in developing countries. In this article, the authors explore the factors affecting the adoption of e-commerce by small hotels. To attain this purpose, a comparative case study was conducted in two small hotels, and their use of the Internet and the Web was explored. Conclusions derived from this study provide a meaningful contribution to the understanding of e-commerce adoption in small businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry.