---
layout: default
title: "eCommerce for Small Enterprise Development"
description: "A practical handbook for entrepreneurs in developing countries on adopting eCommerce, featuring a stepwise framework, advice sheets, and real-world case studies."
categories: [Books, Publications]
date: 2006-01-01
authors: ["Richard Duncombe", "Richard Heeks", "Robert Kintu", "Barbara Nakangu", "Sunil Abraham"]
publisher: "Institute for Development Policy and Management (IDPM), University of Manchester"
pages: "Approx. 40 pages"
permalink: /publications/ecommerce-for-small-enterprise-development/
pdf: /publications/files/ecommerce-for-small-enterprises.pdf
created: 2025-11-08
---

**eCommerce for Small Enterprise Development** is a handbook authored by Richard Duncombe and Richard Heeks, with contributions from Robert Kintu, Barbara Nakangu and Sunil Abraham. Published by the Institute for Development Policy and Management (IDPM), University of Manchester in 2006, it serves as a guide for small and micro-enterprises in developing countries to understand and adopt eCommerce. The handbook presents a six-step 'eCommerce ladder', practical advice sheets, and case studies illustrating how digital tools can improve business performance and market access.

## Contents

1. [Publication Details](#publication-details)
2. [Abstract](#abstract)
3. [Context and Background](#context-and-background)
4. [Key Themes or Arguments](#key-themes-or-arguments)
5. [Full Text](#full-text)
6. [Citation](#citation)

## Publication Details

<dl class="pub-details">
  <dt>👥 Authors:</dt>
  <dd>Richard Duncombe, Richard Heeks, Robert Kintu, Barbara Nakangu, Sunil Abraham</dd>

  <dt>🏛️ Publisher:</dt>
  <dd>Institute for Development Policy and Management (IDPM), University of Manchester</dd>

  <dt>📅 Year:</dt>
  <dd>2006</dd>

  <dt>📘 Type:</dt>
  <dd>Book / Handbook</dd>

  <dt>📄 Pages:</dt>
  <dd>Approx. 40 pages</dd>

  <dt>💻 e-Edition:</dt>
  <dd>Digital edition available online</dd>

  <dt>🔗 Identifier:</dt>
  <dd>No ISBN (Institutional report)</dd>

  <dt>📄 Access:</dt>
  <dd><a class="btn" href="/publications/files/ecommerce-for-small-enterprises.pdf" download>Download PDF</a></dd>
</dl>

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## Abstract

The handbook introduces the concept of eCommerce for small and micro-enterprises (MSEs) in developing countries. It explains how businesses can benefit from digital technologies in marketing, communication, and transactions. The authors propose a six-step 'eCommerce ladder' that starts from basic connectivity and communication, leading to full online transactions and integrated systems. The book provides practical guidance through advice sheets covering connectivity, email, website development, marketing, logistics, and legal issues. It also presents case studies demonstrating how small enterprises in Africa and Asia successfully use eCommerce tools to reach new markets.

{% include back-to-top.html %}

## Context and Background

Developed as part of the eComm4Dev initiative supported by DFID's Building Digital Opportunities (BDO) programme, the handbook was designed to provide practical, context-specific information for entrepreneurs and business support agencies. It builds on research by IDPM on ICTs for development and small enterprise digital strategies. The publication aims to make eCommerce accessible to small business owners operating in low-resource settings, using real examples and simple frameworks.

## Key Themes or Arguments

- The **eCommerce ladder**: a six-step approach guiding enterprises from basic communication tools to full online business integration.  
- **Business-first thinking**: emphasising that technology adoption must align with enterprise goals and resources.  
- **Low-cost entry points**: highlighting the value of email, mobile phones, and simple web presence before investing in complex systems.  
- **Human capacity and skills**: stressing the importance of training, digital literacy, and management support.  
- **Infrastructure and logistics**: identifying delivery, payments, and transport as major barriers to eCommerce in developing countries.  
- **Sustainability and inclusiveness**: encouraging context-aware approaches to ensure digital adoption benefits small producers and entrepreneurs.

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## Full Text
<div class="pdf-container">
  <iframe
    src="https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https://sunilabraham.in/publications/files/ecommerce-for-small-enterprises.pdf&embedded=true"
    frameborder="0"
    class="pdf-frame"
    title="Embedded PDF Viewer"
    loading="lazy"
  ></iframe>

  <p class="pdf-download">
    <a class="btn" href="/publications/files/ecommerce-for-small-enterprises.pdf" download>
      📄 Download Full Book (PDF)
    </a>
  </p>
</div>

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## Citation

If you wish to reference or cite this chapter, please use one of the following formats:

**APA style:**

```
Duncombe, R., Heeks, R., Kintu, R., Nakangu, B., & Abraham, S. (2006).
eCommerce for Small Enterprise Development.
Institute for Development Policy and Management (IDPM), University of Manchester.
https://sunilabraham.in/publications/ecommerce-for-small-enterprise-development/
```

**BibTeX style**
```
@book{duncombe2006ecommerce,
author = {Duncombe, Richard and Heeks, Richard and Kintu, Robert and Nakangu, Barbara and Abraham, Sunil},
title = {eCommerce for Small Enterprise Development},
publisher = {Institute for Development Policy and Management (IDPM), University of Manchester},
year = {2006},
url = {https://sunilabraham.in/publications/ecommerce-for-small-enterprise-development/}
}
```

**MLA style**
```
Duncombe, Richard, et al. eCommerce for Small Enterprise Development.
Institute for Development Policy and Management (IDPM), University of Manchester, 2006.
https://sunilabraham.in/publications/ecommerce-for-small-enterprise-development/
```
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