1 Abstract With the diverse changes in the economy, electronic commerce has become a necessity in the society. A lot of businesses have embraced e-commerce for the numerous advantages that it has. E-commerce basically involves the use of electronic media to buy and sell goods. It also involves the transition of data from electronic media. E-commerce has a long history since it was introduced in 1984. Since then, e-commerce has constantly grown. The growth in this industry is quite significant. The developed countries have been on the forefront in the use of E-commerce. E-commerce has been incorporated in marketing, finance, human resource management and accounting among other fields. On a scale of one to ten, the impact of e-commerce on these fields has been about 8. This paper, therefore, looks at the impact of e-commerce on accounting and specifically in Oman of Sultanate among other countries. This paper also observes the benefits, the challenges as well as the shortcomings of e-commerce in this industry. 2 Chapter 1: General Framework 1.1 Introduction As stated above, the use of electronic commerce has been embraced in several developed and developing countries. Incorporating e-commerce in developed countries is not always a problem since these countries have the requisite resources to fund the growth of e-commerce in various industries in the economy. This is as opposed to the growth and development of ecommerce in developing countries. This may be a bit of an uphill since most of the time; these countries lack the resources and the know how to use e-commerce in various industries. We shall use Sultanate of Oman as our case study on the impact of e-commerce on accounting among other fields. Being a developing country, there is no doubt that the Sultanate of Oman has experienced several challenges in a bid to use e-commerce (Miller & Slater, 2003). The use of scenarios will help us understand how this country goes about its activities and the impact that ecommerce has had on the industries in this country. 1.2 Rationale of the Study There are a number of reasons why this study is important especially at such a time as this in the world’s economy. One of the reasons why this study is important is because it helps in providing concrete information on the role that e-commerce plays in several industries in the world. After the introduction of a new formula or a new way of doing things, it is only wise that we gauge the impact of this formula. This helps in identifying the areas that need adjustment and how these programs can be improved for the sake of the society (Monteiro, Swatman, & Tavares, 3 2003). This is the same analogy with the study of the impact of e-commerce in various industries. From its introduction in 1984, it would be wise to evaluate the impact that it has had on the accounting industry among others. This study also helps in providing general information and knowledge to the members of the public on the impact of e-commerce in various industries. Educating members of the public is very critical. To begin with, members of the public are the greatest beneficiaries of e-commerce in various industries. This is because they are directly affected by these activities by virtue of being buyers and customers in various industries. It would, therefore, be very important to ensure that members of the public remain informed to ensure that they make the right choices. Being a fast developing country, it would be important to acknowledge the impact of ecommerce in Sultanate of Oman. E-commerce was introduced in Sultanate of Oman way after 1984. This is after very many countries had embraced e-commerce in various industries in their economies. 1.3 Objectives of the Study Objectives of this study include identifying the extent in which e-commerce has been embraced in Sultanate of Oman. This objective will be achieved by carrying out intense research on the activities in Sultanate of Oman. This can be identified by using case studies and statistics on the use of e-commerce in accounting in this country. Identifying the extent in which ecommerce has been embraced in this country will help us understand the measures that have been put in place to ensure that this is achieved. At the same time, this will ensure that the requisite measures are put in place to ensure that the accounting industry and other industries make use of e-commerce to ensure that they achieve the intended objectives. Statistics will also 4 be useful in identifying the organizations that have embraced e-commerce and how these industries have benefited so far from the application of electronic commerce in their industries. This study is also aimed at giving concrete reasons for the impact of e-commerce in the accounting industry in Sultanate of Oman. This will not be achieved by looking at theoretical issues but rather will be achieved by evaluating practical scenarios in this country. Justifying the impact of e-commerce in the accounting industry is very important in giving a clear picture of the actual impact of the same. This information is important for academic purposes as well as for research purposes. Identifying the impact of e-commerce in this country will also ensure that the impact of e-commerce in other countries is also reflected. This study also aims at ensuring that it uses real scenarios in identifying the impact of ecommerce on Sultanate of Oman. In this study, I shall use the example of an accounting agency that has embraced e-commerce in its activities. In this scenario, l shall compare and contrast the impact that e-commerce has had on the activities as opposed to the use of traditional commerce in running the organizational activities. This will help in giving a clear picture of the impact of ecommerce in accounting. The research also compares the impact of e-commerce of accounting to the impacts of traditional commerce in industries in Sultanate of Oman. This is very important to establish and can be done by evaluating performance and the records of a particular organization that has embraced e-commerce. Identifying the challenges and the problems that face e-commerce in accounting is the core objective of this study. So much has been said about e-commerce and the positive impacts that it could have on the industries that embrace it. However, very little has been said about the shortcomings of e-commerce in the accounting industries among other industries. 5 This study, therefore, seeks to educate on the negative impact of e-commerce in the accounting industry. This will help in opening up the eyes of potential accountants who may seek to incorporate e-commerce in their industries. This is also very important since it works as a disclaimer and ensures that organizations evaluate their options before incorporating e-commerce in their organizations. Apart from the challenges of e-commerce in the accounting industry, there are a number of benefits that organizations that have embraced e-commerce have accrued in a number of years. This study also seeks to identify the positive effects that e-commerce has had in the accounting industry. Identifying these effects is very important and it could be used as a roadmap by the organizations that have not incorporated e-commerce into their activities. There is no doubt that e-commerce was introduced in the economy to make work easier. The only reason a number of companies and industries have not incorporated e-commerce is because they have not seen the impact that e-commerce could have in their industry. This study is therefore very important and works to ensure that the impacts of e-commerce are pinpointed. This will ensure that other companies on the industry embrace it. 1.4 Methodology This is an intense study to carry out. This basically means that in order to arrive at conclusive results, it is important to choose the right methodology to carry out the study. The methodology should be one that provides critical information on particular issues on ecommerce. At the same time, the methodologies used should be systematic. This means that a reader should actually be able to follow up on a particular study depending on the methodology used. At the same time, the methodologies used in research should provide critical analysis in a 6 particular field. The methodologies used in this research are aimed at providing concrete and conclusive information on the critical areas in this study. Readers should be able to identify the facts, the issues as well as the finding of a particular case study when the right methodology is used. In this case study, we shall lean towards a number of methodologies. These methodologies include the use of qualitative research, quantitative research, the pragmatic approach as well as the participatory approach. These methodologies are critical in ensuring that the right information on this study is given. At the same time, these methodologies allow for a critical analysis on the impact of e-commerce in the accounting industry. This, therefore, ensures that information is credible and can be referenced for other research purposes. These methodologies are based on realities and issues at hand. At the same time, these methodologies are also based on works that have been previously researching on. This ensures that concrete information is arrived at in this case study. 1.5 Structure of the Study This research study will incorporate the general framework of the research. This includes the introduction of the research, rationale of the study, objectives, and methodology. Chapter 2 presents the literature review which includes the theoretical framework, previous research done on the topic, company profile and concepts related to the company. In chapter 3, the methodology of the paper outlines which include the study design, data collection, type of research, sampling frames, code of ethics, and limitations of the study. Chapter 4 of the study discusses the findings of the study. Finally, chapter 5 entails conclusion and recommendations. 7 Chapter 2. Literature Review 2.1 Theoretical Framework E-commerce has a long history in accounting, finance and accounting firms among others. A lot has been said about the impact of e-commerce I these industries. There are also assumptions that e-commerce has only impacted positively on the economy (Building ecommerce applications, 2011). This is however not the case since there are a lot of shortcomings that e-commerce has had in the industries that have embraced it. Understanding the concepts of e-commerce is important in judging whether the impacts have been solely positive or negative. This will also help in ensuring that the people who are affected by e-commerce in these industries are aware of the impact that e-commerce has in accounting. Analyzing the impact of ecommerce in accounting firms in Sultanate of Oman this will be done by carrying out intensive research on the same. 2.2 Previous Research Work A lot of work has been done on the impact of e-commerce on accounting and other similar firms. This research has been done by scholars and students for various reasons including for the purposes of understanding the impact of e-commerce. Other works have also been done to scrutinize e-commerce in these industries. This study aims at giving information on e-commerce. This will be done by analyzing a company that has embraced e-commerce and has banked its resources in ensuring that e-commerce id engraved in the company’s activities. This analysis will help in drawing a conclusive finding on the impacts of e-commerce on the accounting industry. 8 According to Building e-commerce applications (2011), the impact of e-commerce on accounting, there are many numbers of findings. Some of these findings include: I. Most of the accounting institutions in the world have embraced e-commerce in their activities II. There is a significant relationship between accounting and e-commerce III. E-commerce helps in the growth of local and international accounting. IV. For there to be success in the in e-commerce accounting, employees have to be equally trained on e-commerce V. By the year 2030, a good number of firms and institutions will have fully embraced ecommerce 2.3 Company Profile There are a number of companies in Sultanate of Oman. Some of these companies are accounting firms. There are also a number of marketing firms that have embraced e-commerce (Ramady, 2014). We shall, however, focus on one firm that will allow us to get a brief of what ecommerce in a firm is like. Advent, a standout amongst the most unmistakable advanced media and configuration houses in the Sultanate of Oman, was established in 2009 in light of a solitary objective: to offer nearby, local and universal customers a full menu of administrations at standard with worldwide norms, investigating every possibility to guarantee that our customers remain in front without bounds. 9 Sultanate of Oman, the heaven of Middle East makes another history by giving the world the best plans on the web which extols proficient magnificence. Our Web outlining emphasizes on the genuine sense of duty regarding give Creative, Innovative and brisk and quality Website Design Solutions, Web Development, E-Commerce Web Applications, Contract Web Designers, Website upkeep administrations and more along to every one of our clients at moderate costs (Tuten, 2010). We are among the main Web Designing Companies in Oman, having brilliant years of Industry Experience. We are one of the dependable Web planning and improvement based organizations in the Middle East. We might want to reverberate the considerations of incredible pioneers and reformers who made our central goal propelled. We are the market pioneers in web outlining and conveying State-Of-The-Art administrations to any many-sided quality of customers all around. This company comprehends the significance of Web outlining as the essential and most vital starting establishment of any site. It is a specialty of the website specialists. A decent site relies on upon the planned format. Website composition makes a structure of any given site. This company can confidently brag of has the best of website specialists time permitting. It ensures that your site doesn't look dull rather it looks live and appealing. As the well-known axiom goes 'early introduction is the best impression. They attempt that your site gives the best impression to any watcher. They guarantee to their customer's such alluring website composition formats which meet their list of things to get and furthermore we guarantee that your site works for you. Their master group of website specialists monitors things to put in the perfect place of any site page and furthermore takes mind that the page is easy to understand to any client (Ramady, 2014). They generally make least a few appealing formats and keeps it open for their customers to pick one whichever get their attention. 10 They are the market pioneers in Web planning and advancement field of Oman and they keep their customers satisfied by offering high-quality services. This company has for years been involved in advanced media, advertising, inventive administrations, and visual communication, Advent prides itself on being interestingly met all requirements to offer excellent administrations in the Publicizing, online business, internet advertising, and web advancement. The outlook of this company may not look like that of an accounting company. Accounting activities are however deeply rooted in accounting services. Accounting in this company begins from the very beginning when clients order for services from this company. There are a lot of records that are kept when clients order for services. Record keeping is very important since it allows for consistency in the company's activities. At the same time, this ensures that accountability and transparency are enhanced in this company. Advent also takes part in a lot of transactions with clients. These transactions amount to accounting transactions. E-commerce is very critical in these transactions. As stated earlier, this company takes pride in customer satisfaction and in and in ensuring that high-quality services are delivered. This explains why this company has grown in lips and bounds over the years. Ecommerce has in embraced in this company to the extent that all transactions are electronic transactions. This starts from the point where customers order and inquire for their services. This company has created website clients can make inquiries and order services online. This process is quite effective since clients can get services by clicking a button. This has been very helpful and has ensured that customers from far and wide access their services from this company. The payment of these services is also via electronic commerce. This means that the accounting 11 processes in this company have been digitalized to ensure that the process is made more efficient. 2.4 Concepts Related to the Company There are a number of concepts related to this company. Some of these concepts include entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovativeness. This company seeks to ensure that the demands of customers are met depending on the market needs and changes. This means that the company is constantly evaluating the trends in e-commerce to ensure that they are at par with the economic needs. The accounting industry is also very dynamic and this means that one ecommerce feature may trend for only some time before another trend is introduced in the market. This company also specializes in creating e-commerce platforms for other companies. This means that it is involved in ensuring that the accounting, marketing and the systems of other companies function as they ought to. This company is also involved in ensuring that the accounting systems of other Chapter 3: Methodology The methodology used in this study is aimed at providing straightforward conclusions on the extent in which Sultanate of Oman has embraced e-commerce in accounting and the impact that this has had on accounting in this industry. This study aims at I. II. Creating proposition as the essential model of the postulation Building up the poll III. Gathering information through the poll and other information accumulation strategy IV. Doing a measurable examination 12 V. VI. Building up the last type of the review Reviewing the conclusion and proposals 3.1 Study Design In carrying out this study, there are a number of studies that were carried out. Some of these studies included the use of reviews that have been done on the impact of e-commerce in accounting. These reviews have been made not only for accounting firms in Sultanate of Omar but also from other countries in the world (Miller & Slater, 2003). These reviews provided critical information that was relevant in carrying out this study. Case reports and editorials on the impact of e-commerce on accounting were also very relevant in this case study. 3.2 Data collection There are several data collection methods used in this study. Some of these methods include collecting information by way of observation. Identifying the reports of Advent Company is an important form of collecting information. This is because it ensures that relevant and first-hand information is collected and used in carrying out research. The use of questionnaires is also an important way of collecting information. This method also ensures that quick and first-hand information is collected for the sake of the research. Questionnaires on the impact of e-commerce on accounting would be very helpful. The audience of these questionnaires may include the accountants who are affected by the use of ecommerce. Clients of accounting institutions may also provide relevant information on the impact of e-commerce on accounting since they are directly affected by these activities. 3.3 Type of Research 13 This case study involves the use of basic research that is aimed at ensuring that concrete information is produced. This information in obtained from the most basic ways including the use of reviews and periodic from accounting companies in Sultanate of Oman and other countries. Basic research ensures that information is easily obtained and that it can be easily represented. 3.5 Code of Ethics There are a number of factors that need to be observed in carrying out this research. Some of these factors include the code of ethics for accountants and other professionals who work in the accounting industry. Sometimes researchers may go out of their way to obtain information that is relevant to their case study. Researchers should, however, be in a position to identify the code of ethics and conduct for these professionals. This ensures that they do not cross the line in the name of seeking relevant information. 3.6 Limitation There are several factors that could act as a limitation to this case study. Some of these limitations include the access to relevant information on this study. This is because the researcher has to dig deep to ensure that they find information that is relevant for their research. Limited resources may also be a limitation to lengthy and conclusive research findings. There is need to have the requisite resources to ensure that a researcher is able to provide information that is relevant to the case study. 14
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