Digitalization of small retail stores: Challenges in digital payments
Description
The traditional business model of small retail convenience stores in India is increasingly under threat due to the entry of large supermarket chains and online retailers. This study employs a qualitative methodology and draws on the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework to examine the digitalization of small retail stores. The findings reveal low levels of adoption of digital technologies for managing both supply-side and customer-side processes, alongside a continued reliance on cash and low-value, credit-based transactions. Several factors constrain digitalization, including inefficient operational processes, inadequate physical infrastructure, limited access to reliable digital technologies, and high adoption costs. Additionally, small retailers exhibit ambiguity and internal contradictions regarding the benefits of digitalization. Concerns related to transparency, perceived loss of control, tax implications, and mistrust in regulatory systems highlight their difficulty in understanding and adapting to the changing digital environment. These challenges reflect the limited capacity of small retailers to fully comprehend and mobilize the resources required to navigate the transition toward digital business practices.
Copyright Date
January 2019
Publication Date
1-1-2019
Keywords
Automation, Digitalization, Digital payment
Conference
52nd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, (HICSS-52), 8-11 January, 2019, Hawai
