In the Field of Information Systems: Factors Influencing the Adoption and Usage of e-Commerce in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The internet, one of the most successful innovations in the world, initially regarded as a great catalyst of information exchange, is slowly evolving and being used as an important medium for trade and adverstising within the sphere of eCommerce. This has notably impacted on customer services as well as on industries such as retailing, financial services, publishing, communication, advertisements and travel. Saudi Arabia's accession to the World Trade Organization WTO in December 2005 has raised competition among local and global firms. This has created great opportunities for foreign companies to sell online to Saudis, it also created threats to local companies in various business and services sectors. As such businesses, either willingly or reluctantly, are increasingly embracing the Internet as a distribution channel in order to remain competitive or gain market share.