E-business and e-commerce applications and trends in the retailing sector in Zimbabwe

Charles Mbohwa, Batanai Sammie

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

This paper discusses e-commerce adoption trends in the Zimbabwean retail sector. Data were collected using questionnaire and interviews of 170 retailers and 73 customers selected in Harare. Zimbabwe's retail sector lags behind in e-business adoption. Key e-commerce applications were in administration, accounting, management and control systems with barcode-driven systems and debit card swipe technologies being most common. Mismatch between the demand for e-business solutions by customers and the supply of such solutions by retailers and a pronounced digital divide between multiple store and single store retailers in the areas of network technologies were identified. The impact of e-business on business processes and company productivity is positive for multiple store and minimal for single store operators. Internal work organisation, procurement costs of supply goods and quality of product and services impacts are minimal. Scope exists for improved adoption and development of e-business for Zimbabwean retailers through better policies and supportive legislation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, IEEM2011
Pages1369-1374
Number of pages6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011
EventIEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, IEEM2011 - Singapore, Singapore
Duration: 6 Dec 20119 Dec 2011

Publication series

NameIEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management
ISSN (Print)2157-3611
ISSN (Electronic)2157-362X

Conference

ConferenceIEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, IEEM2011
Country/TerritorySingapore
CitySingapore
Period6/12/119/12/11

Keywords

  • E-business
  • E-commerce
  • Internet business in developing economies
  • applications in Zimbabwe
  • retail sector

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business, Management and Accounting (miscellaneous)
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality

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