Cross-Border E-Commerce: Opportunities And Challenges For Small And Medium Enterprises

Abstract

This research paper seeks to analyse cross border e-commerce and its benefits and risks to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This paper will focus on the global digital trade as the new market opportunities for SMEs due to the shift towards globalization. The research focuses on understanding the opportunities available to SMEs navigate e-commerce platforms for international market entry, customers’ engagement and business development. That is why this paper investigates organizational factors that affect and hamper SMEs with the aim of highlighting the problems arising from aspects of logistics enablers, regulatory environment, and the digital divide. Discussed both as the opportunities which can be essential for SMEs, including the lesser cost and wider market availability, as well as the threats, including the cultural differences in the given sphere, competition, and security issues, the paper will discuss the most significant aspects of the cross-border e-commerce environment for SMEs. Based on a case study and interviews with e-commerce industry specialists, the paper provides some suggestions that can be useful for SMEs in the context of the international e-commerce milieu. The result highlights the significance of SWOT analysis, or international collaboration and reorganization, as well as flexible technology implementation to effectively address the challenges and maximize the benefits of the cross-border e-commerce environment.