169
Copyright © 2017, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited.
Chapter 8
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-0539-6.ch008
ABSTRACT
The subject of Information Technology (IT) adoption and use has been going on for some time (Jeyaraj
& Sabherwal, 2008). In particular, to electronic commerce (e-Commerce) adoption and use, the inven-
tion of Web 2.0 presents new technological features for potential and current e-Commerce adopters as
well as new challenges. With Web 2.0, customers’ perceptions, preferences and decisions are not only
based on information presented on e-Commerce websites, but are also infuenced by content generated
by people on social networks and interactive e-Commerce websites. This poses the following question:
how can Small, Medium and Micro-Sized Enterprises in the tourism sector (tourism SMMEs) keep up
with these technological advancements given their limited resources? Accordingly, this book chapter
proposes a framework that shows challenges and incentives (critical success factors) of e-Commerce,
identifes e-Commerce platforms tourism SMMEs should adopt in order to maximise benefts and outlines
what tourism SMMEs should expect from their e-Commerce platforms.
The Impact of Web 2.0 on
E-Commerce Adoption and
Use by Tourism Businesses –
Can SMMEs Play the Trick?
A Case of the Eastern Cape Province
Pardon Blessings Maoneke
University of Fort Hare, South Africa
Naomi Isabirye
University of Fort Hare, South Africa