Adoption of internet-enabled supply chain management systems: Differences between buyer and supplier perspectives

Purpose: Based on the factors derived from the structural embeddedness theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the antecedents to the adoption intention for eSCM from two perspectives: buyer and supplier. The six factors examined in this study are product complexity, product specificity, the number of partners, relationship duration, dependence disadvantage and dependence advantage. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire was designed to collect data from Mainland China with 206 valid data received. Regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses proposed. Findings: The differences in the results show that product specificity and dependence disadvantage are significant determinants of eSCM adoption for buyers’ perspective, but not from that of suppliers. In addition, product complexity and dependence advantage (although negatively associated with eSCM adoption) are significant for suppliers, but not for buyers. Number of partners and relationship duration are significant determinants from both perspectives. Originality/value: This research contributes to understanding on how the factors embedded in an exchange structure influence the adoption of eSCM from the angles of both the buyers and suppliers. We fill the research gap in the existing literature by recognizing the differences in the roles of the buyer and supplier regarding the antecedents to eSCM adoption.