Research has shown that internal and external factors are significant factors influencing small firms’ decision to adopt the
Internet . More specifically, such research identifies owner/manager characteristics, firm
characteristics, cost & return on investment, technological infrastructure, socio-economic, cultural, political and legal &
regulatory as factors influencing the small firms adoption decision. However, as many small firms have not adopted
sophisticated Internet technologies, a major research opportunity exists to improve the understanding of how small firms
can successfully become more sophisticated users of the Internet.