This chapter contains a summary of discussions and findings presented in this book. The findings are based primarily on the analysis of the data collected through a field survey of 106 companies who have invested in B2B e-commerce infrastructure. It has been supplemented by the analysis of the data that was collected through an on-line evaluation of 65 B2B e-exchanges in order to examine the relationship between the levels of trust and various trust inducing web dimensions. These results have been discussed in context of the components of the ‘Trust and Technology’ model and the related eleven hypotheses.
TopObjective, Scope And Research Design
The primary objective of the book was to discuss various technology-related trust issues and practices adopted by different companies in India regarding deployment and implementation of various technologies, in order to enhance the level of trust in B2B e-commerce. This book proposes a ‘Trust and Technology’ model for B2B e-commerce and makes an attempt to test this model based on the analysis of the corporate practices in India in this regard. It also offers another model, which identifies various trust inducing web dimensions that have the potential to enhance the levels of trust in B2B e-commerce. This model has been tested with the help of an evaluation of web interfaces of the sample companies as well as selected B2B e-exchanges. The following hypotheses have been proposed and tested in this book:
H1:Level of assurance in respect of security related technology issue is positively associated with the level of trust in B2B e-commerce.
H2:Level of assurance in respect of privacy related technology issue is positively associated level of trust in B2B e-commerce.
H3:Level of assurance in respect of authentication related technology issues is positively associated with level of trust in B2B e-commerce.
H4:Level of assurance in respect of non-repudiation related technology issues is positively associated with level of trust in B2B e-commerce.
H5:Level of assurance in respect of system infrastructure and performance related technology issue is positively associated with level of trust in B2B e-commerce.
H6:Level of assurance in respect of web interface related technology issues is positively associated with level of trust in B2B e-commerce.
H7:Level of assurance in respect of technology related policies and procedures related issue is positively associated with level of trust in B2B e-commerce.
H8:Socio-cultural environmental issues influence the level of trust in B2B e-commerce.
H9:The environmental issues regarding technical standards influence the level of trust in B2B e-commerce.
H10:The issues relating to regulatory environment influence the level of trust in B2B e-commerce.
H11:High level of assurance regarding deployment of trust related technologies is related to profile of the company in B2B e-commerce.
In this book, two different approaches namely positivist and interpretive have been adopted. The book proposed a model, had its own set of hypotheses to be tested and drew inferences based on the data collected with the help of a field survey. This reflects the positivist approach used in the book. An attempt to enhance understanding of the issues using case study method reflects the interpretive approach used in the book. In this book, mixed method approach has been adopted while selecting the procedure for collecting the data, and analyzing the data. Multiple sources of data were used and the data were collected by different sets of investigators. This book combined the quantitative field survey method with online survey method as well as qualitative case study methods.
The field survey of practices, policies and procedures being followed by Indian companies B2B e-commerce involvement was conducted with the help of a structured interview-guide. One hundred and six companies located in different cities and belonging to different industry verticals participated in the survey. In order to understand the context and the processes regarding the technology-related trust issues, two detailed case studies were also conducted. This gave an in-depth understanding of the various practices and process related issues arising in the deployment and implementation of the relevant technologies for building trust in e-commerce.