ICT Adoption Scale Development for SMEs

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the driving forces, challenges benefits, barriers and strategies to decrease barriers to information and communication technologies (ICTs) adoption and assimilation by small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in this era of globalization.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a review of literature, both online and print.FindingsThe paper concludes that, ICTs adoption and assimilation in SMEs is critical to enhance their competitiveness. In addition, ICTs usage in SMEs will enhance accessibility into the international markets.Research limitations/implicationsThe major limitation of this paper is that it only reviews relevant literature and that empirical findings are not obtained to give an insight and holistic view of ICTs adoption and assimilation by SMEs.Practical implicationsEffective use of ICTs in SMEs has great impact on its competitiveness and sustainability. In addition, owners/owner managers, policy makers and other stakeholders would be in a position to understand the challenges faced by SMEs in ICTs adoption and come up with various interventions to assist SMEs.Originality/valueDespite the challenges faced by SMEs on ICTs adoption, SMEs stand to benefit from adopting ICTs in their business processes especially in accessing international markets. SMEs play a great role in the economy and thus need special attention.

Digital development for a progressive networked society

In South Africa, small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) have been recognized as the critical driving force to alleviate some economic challenges that the country faces. The challenges, such as the alleviation of poverty and the unemployment rate, can be addressed by policies that encourage SMME developments and sustainability. The historical background of SMMEs in South Africa has left them operating in various locations, such as cities and townships. There is a growing concern of the lack of information and communications technology (ICT) adoption by SMMEs, in particular those operating in townships. The aim of this study was to develop an ICT adoption framework using the sustainability livelihood framework (SLF) to encourage ICT adoption and improve the livelihood of township SMMEs. This study used the sustainable livelihood framework (SLF) to explore the broader socio-economic contents of the township SMMEs on human, social, financial, and physical and natural resource-based assets that enable the poor to enhance their capabilities and reduce their vulnerabilities. This study deployed a qualitative exploratory research. A sample of 21 SMME owners/managers operating in Soweto was used, and data were collected using in-depth interviews and observations. The study revealed township SMMEs are complex and dynamic and need various interventions in order for them to be sustainable. The SLF for township SMMEs can be used as a guideline for SMME owners/managers and policy makers when formulating ICT adoption policy.

Researchers have delved in the study on ICT (Information Communication and Technology) adoption in schools worldwide. Literatures based on social approaches specify that successful ICT adoption by teachers is reliant on dynamics such as attitude, resource provision, skills among others. This paper focuses on the Project management activities associated with the ICT adoption into instructional methods by Secondary school teachers in Thika, Kiambu County of Kenya, namely Teacher Motivation and Teacher Monitoring. The theoretical framework used was the Unified theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model for ICT, The Context, Input, Process, Product (CIPP) model for Evaluation of educational project and Joint Application Model (JAD) for Project management. The respondent for the survey based study were teachers from the schools that benefited from the Economic Stimulus Program - Information Communication and Technology (ESP-ICT) project. Data for the research was carried out through administration of questionnaires to the teacher respondents. Findings discovered that the project had been unsuccessful in Teacher recognition; distribution of assignment for responsibility purposes and rewarding as Motivational tools. Further, no monitoring upgrades or indicators gave an assurance that the teachers had apprehended the initial laid down targets, consequently knowledge and communication was infrequent. The conclusion deduced from these findings was that ICT adoption by teachers was flawed and meticulous act out of the routine had to be taken in order to curtail some of the many challenges to its triumph. The paper therefore recommended the enrolment of a project manager, who would effectively drive the project through all the stages by engaging project management dimension that is characterized by planning, implementation, monitoring and organization. All these events guide to success in project attainment.

Globally, sustainable Information and Communication Technology (ICT) innovations are significant in realizing sustainable research and innovations in tertiary institutions. Despite this laudable global impact of ICT on research and innovations, poor ICT policies and practices, coupled with bad economy that plagued sustainable ICT innovations in Nigeria have hindered sustainable research and innovations in tertiary institutions. This study adopted the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as the study conceptual framework. UTAUT model postulates that users’ acceptance behaviour toward a technology is determined by users’ decision to use a technology, and the perceived benefits thereof. The authors explored a narrative review, analysis, and synthesis of vast works of literature that revealed significant information on impact of sustainable ICT on sustainable research and innovations in Nigeria. The authors also extracted peer-reviewed articles within the last five years from electronic databases using some keywords such as “ICT impact on research innovations”, “ICT adoption in tertiary institutions”, “ICT usability Trends ”, and so on. The results from this study revealed that strict adherence to ICT policies, laws, guidelines, and sustainability, coupled with good formulation and communication of same, are the major impact of sustainable ICT that can leverage research and innovations in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Results from this study may increase understanding, minimize corrupt practices and encourage value for ICTs that can positively impact research and innovations in tertiary institutions for economic development in Nigerian.

Objective: This study analyzes the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the operational efficiency of Chilean Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), aiming to identify the most relevant digital tools to support their development and guide public policy. Method: We used microdata from the Fifth Longitudinal Survey of Enterprises (ELE5). An ANOVA was applied to assess differences in ICT adoption across economic sectors, and a factorial analysis was conducted to identify the most influential technological dimensions. Results: Four key ICT dimensions—transactional, informational, infrastructure, and strategic—were found to significantly influence SME operations. The results highlight that ICT adoption varies notably across sectors, suggesting that its impact is not uniform. Limitations: The analysis relies on cross-sectional data from 2017, limiting causal interpretations and excluding post-pandemic digital developments. Furthermore, binary variables reduce the granularity of technological usage assessment. Main findings: ICTs play a strategic role in enhancing the operational efficiency of SMEs in Chile. The study provides empirical evidence to inform policy design aligned with the Digital Agenda 2030, offering a valuable baseline for future research and decision-making in emerging economies.

Recent developments in information and communication technology (ICT) have facilitated integration along supply chains. Besides technological advancement and governmental support, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) still face significant challenges when integrating into global supply chains. Underlying business partners’ relationships are found to be a significant factor for ICT use and adoption due to the supplier-customer mediation role. This study identifies six factors – trust, distrust, communication, information sharing, collaboration and ties – of inter-organizational relationships, and explores their impact on ICT use and adoption by SMEs operating in the Macedonian wine supply chain that spans Northern, Central and Southeastern Europe. This paper presents insights about inter-organizational relationships in the Macedonian supply chain and advises managers how to manage their supply chain relationships.

Factors Affecting SMEs Emerging Technologies Adoption in Developing Countries: A Literature Review

Several studies demonstrate that most immigrants feel positively about technology adoption and use, and they use information and communication technologies (ICTs) more than non-immigrants or earlier immigrants. What motivates immigrants to use ICTs? Is their motivation to use ICTs for back home connection with their families and friends, or to adjust to their new environment? What are the factors that influence immigrants' ICT behaviors most often? For this study, the author chose 24 peer-reviewed journal articles published in English between 2001-2017 to assess immigrants' motivations for ICT adoption and use. The chapter, based on the systematic review of the existing literature for a longitudinal assessment, will discuss primary motives for immigrants' ICT adoption and use, as well as identify factors that influence immigrants' behavior with respect to ICT adoption and use. Based on these influencing factors, the chapter proposes a framework of technology adoption and use by immigrants.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is seen as a way to enhance knowledge collection in the construction sector. Although the theoretical benefits of ICT implementation have been clarified, realizing such benefits is insufficient. This paper attempted a systematic analysis of the literature using ATLAS.ti 9 software to save, identify, and analyze this study’s data. A total of 102 articles were actively reviewed, including 82 Scopus journals and 20 conference papers published from 2003 to 2020. In this article, from a construction industry point of view, the ICT adoption process is considered as an interaction between technology, task, and an individual from a construction industry perspective. While ICT is acknowledged as a source of aggressive gain by both practitioners and scholars, ICT’s sole presence would definitely not guarantee achievement in the industry’s ICT approval. Companies cannot grasp the full benefits of ICT, except that users are able to adopt the technology. Hence, the issues related to ICT adoption need to be examined.

It is common knowledge that information and communication technologies (ICTs) have made continuous inroads in the knowledge management field; thus, this study is modeled to examine the impact of ICTs on inter-organizational knowledge sharing (IOKS) and its subsequent effect on the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The study adopts a descriptive survey design, using the quantitative research approach. Using the simple random sampling technique, a web-based questionnaire was used to collect data from 187 respondents. Results showed that IOKS among SMEs is not carried out to a great extent, which means that it is not a common practice among SMEs. Findings showed that less than half of the SMEs used training programs, internship programs, research collaboration and workshops for IOKS. It further showed that IOKS enhances sales, productivity, profit, organizational assets and equity. This study provides evidence of how ICT systems/tools have been used in IOKS and their impact on the growth of SMEs.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critically examine how social augmented parameters impact on the effective adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) by small‐scale agribusinesses operating in Southeast Nigeria. The relevance of incorporating social imperatives in scholarship focused on technology adoption is due to its role in sustaining the process of adoption and diffusion.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered from a focus group made up of 27 agribusiness proprietors affiliated with a state cooperative based in the south‐eastern Nigerian state of Ebonyi.FindingsThis paper puts forward an argument that to ensure successful diffusion of innovation, a balance must be maintained between the amount of effort expended in the design of ICT and social factors such as language and traditional life. The paper finds that a willingness of indigenous ICT users is particularly influenced by the recognition and incorporation of visible social imperatives during the adoption process.Research limitations/implicationsThe outcome of this study highlights important issues for ICT adoption. One particular area that must be taken into consideration is the adoption channel. Perceptions of ICT adoption will differ significantly among adopters. For this reason, the need for developing an appropriate adoption channel that ensures successful diffusion of the innovation should be recognised.Originality/valueThis study contributes to ongoing research in ICT innovation adoption in small agribusinesses operating in indigenous societies. The theoretical implications of this paper are the development of a conceptual ICT adoption framework that emphasises social imperatives. The paper also demonstrates that agricultural enterprises should be treated as ‘normal’ firms in their own right.

One of the areas in which these technological advances are dramatically influencing people’s lives is information technology and telecommunications hence the claim that we are in the midst of a ‘digital revolution’ that is driving us towards an ‘information society’. The development of human learning abilities has been changed over the past 60 years of technological innovation starting from the widespread use of the radio, through television, and finally to the mass implementation of computers and information and communication technologies (ICT). With information revolution on the go, shift towards knowledge-based economy is the prime target of all nations of the world. Also, there is a growing concern about the current trends in ICT adoption and use. Throughout the world communities are grappling with the concept of knowledge based development. Education is considered, as the most important contributing factor to nations development and achievement of knowledge economy in the era of information revolution. Education especially the primary and secondary education is important; as it is here the foundations of knowledge are led. The literature on educational technology lacks empirical research on the social practice of information and communication technology (ICT) that would enable us to extend our understanding of the barriers to adoption and integration of ICT in the educational context. The present field study was undertaken with teachers, students, parents and staff of a government primary educational institute in a disadvantaged rural area of India. Research was initiated with the investigation by adapting participatory appraisal methods suitable to a rural context. The anthropological approach used in the present research focuses on the influences of culture and society on the individual adoption behavior; it emphasizes participant observation and academic analysis of behavior through both management and consumer perspectives. The cultural capital in question includes knowledge about ICT product features and qualities, ICT skills, digital literacy, the level of education of family elders, and proficiency in English. Economic capital includes access to electricity, lack of knowledge of the ICT market, a transportation system, and ownership of ICT equipment. Social capital includes distrust of rural and semi-urban sources of ICT purchases, lack of motivation, and access to ICT. In addition to finding ways to facilitate the work of teachers and educational institutions in both formal and non-formal learning environments, the informal learning environment has to be considered. The paper explores that every culture, organizational or national, is different, and not all technologies are equally acceptable in all cultures. It brings forward the ground realities including policy concerns, failures in governmental efforts and community’s role in facilitating ICT adoption. It also highlights the role of teacher’s in promoting ICT adoption and use in education. The better we understand culture, the better we can maximize the usefulness of new information technology in the workplace. Keywords: ICT4d, educational technology, digital literacy, developing countries, barriers to technology, diffusion of innovations.

Cross-country differences in ICT adoption: A consequence of Culture?

This paper analyses the factors that determine the process of digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To this end, digital transformation is conceptually approached as an innovation process in a company that affects its products and processes. The proposed theoretical framework integrates, from a holistic perspective, three dimensions in the digital transformation process in SMEs: (1) the technological dimension; (2) the human capital dimension; and (3) the organizational/relational dimension. Furthermore, these dimensions manifest themselves at three levels of analysis: (a) the entrepreneur/manager; (b) the firm; and (c) the environment external to the firm. The empirical research presented in this paper is based on a representative survey of SMEs in Spain. The results highlight that both internal skills and external sources of knowledge regarding information and communication technology (ICT) through consultants, suppliers, universities and technological centers constitute critical and complementary drivers for digital innovation in SMEs. The analysis also reveals the importance of an explicit digital transformation strategy in the company and the distribution of responsibilities regarding digitalization beyond the leadership of the entrepreneur/manager. Likewise, the complex use of the Internet by entrepreneurs/managers is observed to favor digital product innovation, whereas their growth ambition stimulates digital process innovation. The results also indicate that the relevance of the aforementioned determinants varies somewhat for microenterprises compared to other SMEs.