Deborah M. Markley, David L. Barkley, and R. David Lamie authored a series of reports on the use of e-commerce by rural entrepreneurs and small business owners. This publication presents case studies of 25 firms, representing various regions of the country and various industry sectors (e.g., manufacturing, services, and trade). In addition, the team conducted interviews with three service providers who helped some of the case study businesses adopt and use e-commerce.
The purpose of the overall project was to provide case studies of rural businesses that have increased sales, profits, and/or employment, as well as those who have expanded markets and customer relationships by using e-commerce. The case studies focus on locally-owned rural businesses as opposed to branch plants or franchises. The selected businesses include rural firms of different sizes and in different stages of business development; bricks-and-mortar stores and virtual businesses; firms focusing ecommerce activity on businesses and those focused on consumers; and firms from different types of rural communities.