Exploring the Role of Digital Marketing in Small Business Growth

A Literature Review Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)

Authors

  • Nor Fazalina Salleh Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Nur Atiqah Zakiyyah Ramlee Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Norfazlina Ghazali Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Nini Hartini Asnawi Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Lina Nadia Abd Rahim Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/abrij.v11i1.7074

Keywords:

Digital Marketing, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), SMEs, Entrepreneurship

Abstract

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are crucial to Malaysia’s economic resilience yet may struggle to compete in an increasingly digital environment. This literature review explores how digital marketing contributes to SME growth through the lens of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).  Based on the recent studies year 2020 to 2025, particularly during COVID-19 pandemic, this paper discusses the factors that influence digital adoption including perceived usefulness, ease of use and social influence. The findings suggest that while digital marketing offers potential, adoption remains inconsistent due to various internal and external barrier.  Future research is recommended to include situational and government support as moderating factors.  This review contributes to a clearer understanding of how digital tools can empower small businesses and enhance long term sustainability.

References

Ahamat, A., Ali, M. S. S., & Hamid, N. (2017). Factors influencing the adoption of social media in SMEs. International E-Journal of Advances in Social Sciences, 3(8), 338-348.

Ahmad, S. Z., Ahmad, N., & Abu Bakar, A. R. (2018). Reflections of entrepreneurs on social media adoption. Telematics and Informatics, 35(1), 6-17.

Basit, A., Tiong, N., & Hassan, Z. (2020). Determinants of social media adoption among SMEs in Malaysia. Solid State Technology, 63(5), 263-277.

Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319-340.

Dekker, R., Engbersen, G., Klaver, J., & Vonk, H. (2018). Smart refugees: How migrants use social media in decision-making. Social Media and Society, 4(1).

Effendi, M. I., Mohamad, B., & Sugandini, D. (2020). Social media adoption in SMEs impacted by COVID-19. Journal of Asian Finance, 7(11), 915-925.

Lina Nadia, N. A., Ramlee, N. A. Z., & Putit, L. (2022). Drivers of social media adoption among SMEs amidst COVID-19. Advances in Business Research, 8(2), 57-62.

Nguyen, X. T., & Luu, Q. K. (2020). Factors affecting adoption of Industry 4.0 by SMEs. Journal of Asian Finance, 7(6), 255-264.

Puriwat, W., & Tripopsakul, S. (2021). Explaining social media adoption for business: An application of UTAUT. Sustainability, 13(4), 2082.

Trawnih, A., Yaseen, H., Al-Adwan, A. S., Alsoud, R., & Jaber, O. A. (2021). Factors influencing social media adoption among SMEs during COVID-19. J. Management Info & Decision Sciences, 24(6), 1-18.

Downloads

Published

31-05-2025

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Salleh, N. F., Ramlee , N. A. Z. ., Ghazali , N. ., Asnawi , N. H. ., & Abd Rahim , L. N. . (2025). Exploring the Role of Digital Marketing in Small Business Growth: A Literature Review Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Advances in Business Research International Journal, 11(1), 101 - 106. https://doi.org/10.24191/abrij.v11i1.7074

Similar Articles

1-10 of 109

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Most read articles by the same author(s)