Global E-Commerce Strategies for Small Business [Hardcover]

Eduardo da Costa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2001

Small companies account for a surprising one-third of U.S. exports, and their market share is growing. The Internet has played a major role in helping these companies develop an increasingly powerful international presence. Global E-Commerce Strategies for Small Businesses describes the export opportunities e-commerce holds for small-to-medium size enterprises (SMEs) all over the world. The book is organized in two parts. The first uses examples and case studies of small exporting companies from six countries to show how SMEs and new entrepreneurs are not only successful but also often responsible for job creation, innovation, and economic growth in their regions. It also examines common obstacles to exports such as local and international laws, cultural differences, trade barriers, taxation, and transport infrastructure. The second part covers the steps in setting up a global business: researching business opportunities, identifying and reach out to customers, building and keeping an online image, closing the deal, and maintaining customer support. Written in a casual, accessible style, the book offers an overview of the tools and services available to help smaller companies flourish in the global marketplace.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"If the owners of small companies do not think globally, they may not be prepared when one of their local or international competitors begins to encroach on their local markets." Moreover, continues Eduardo da Costa in Global E-Commerce Strategies for Small Businesses, even those small businesses that are not necessarily geared to exporting can benefit from e-commerce. Presenting seven success stories of small businesses that have become international operators, da Costa, a visiting scholar at Harvard and president of two small businesses, offers business leaders a range of practical, valuable information on maximizing the wave of the future that's easy to absorb and to use.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Da Costa, a visiting scholar at Harvard University, heads a Boston consulting firm and a business incubator. Challenging a common assumption that the global economy is the province only of large corporations, he argues that the Internet has opened unprecedented business opportunities for smaller enterprises. He uses seven companies located variously in Ireland, Brazil, Singapore, Italy, Belgium, and the U.S. as examples to illustrate his claim. He also statistically documents the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in creating jobs, contributing to regional economic growth, and spurring innovation. Da Costa then lays out the steps for setting up a global business. He covers the purchasing process and customer service, explains how to research business opportunities and markets, recommends ways to utilize the Internet and other information technology, and suggests solutions for overcoming the main obstacles to international trade faced by small companies. David Rouse
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (June 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262041901
• ISBN-13: 978-0262041904
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 9.2 x 6.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,826,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Global E-Commerce Strategies for Small Business, June 20, 2001

By 

Virgilio Almeida (Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Global E-Commerce Strategies for Small Business (Hardcover)

I have read this book and find it to be one of the most comprehensive books on the subject. It develops the subject very gradually and provides solid material for understanding e-business for small companies. It provides nice and useful examples and case studies that help the reader to understand the nuts and bolts of e-business for small companies in the global market. I recommend it as the first reading on the subject to readers interested in IT and international business for small companies.

5.0 out of 5 stars Enthusiastic Endorsement of Eduardo Da Costa and Why, June 13, 2001

By 

Bettina Zwerdling (Belmont, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Global E-Commerce Strategies for Small Business (Hardcover)

Mr. Da Costa's book is an intelligent, realistic and motivating resource for global small business owners and entrepreneurs -- as well as software vendors, industry analysts, and development agencies following small business development. This realtively small volume is stuffed with cogent and straight-forward discussions of the cultural factors and business climate that effect ecommerce success for small business ecommerce operations. He makes the inspiring argument that such developments change lives, as well as significantly affect the health of nations and economies.

More than theoretical, the book is replete with well-drawn examples and lessons - written in a thoroughly unstuffy manner. Truly useful for those of us who are actually about to launch into the ocean of global e-business, or seeking to improve our approach. Mr. Da Costa has done us all a favor, sifting through a huge pile of facts and cautionary tales. There is much here for all to learn and enjoy. Enthusiastic endorsement of Eduardo!