Barriers to E-Commerce Adoption Among Nigerian Engineering SMEs: A Technological-Organizational-Environmental Framework Analysis

The paper explores the barriers preventing engineering SMEs in Nigeria from adopting e-commerce. Using the TOE framework, the study employed a qualitative design and semi-structured interviews with ten SME owners and managers across major engineering sectors. Technological barriers comprise poor ICT infrastructure, unreliable internet connectivity, cybersecurity threats, and logistics inefficiencies. Organizational barriers include lack of technical skills, financial constraints, lack of leadership support, and change resistance. Environmental barriers include regulatory uncertainty, a preference for traditional transactions, economic instability, and low market readiness. The study extends the TOE framework by contextualizing the barriers to e-commerce in perspective within a project-based industry in a developing economy and recommends that Nigerian engineering SMEs, policymakers, and technology providers collaborate to enhance digital infrastructure, strengthen cybersecurity, promote digital literacy, offer financial and policy support, and develop affordable, innovative e-commerce and logistics solutions to accelerate e-commerce adoption