Analysis of factors that influence the ICT adoption by SMEs in Colombia

Abstract

Design/methodology: To prove empirically these hypotheses, we administered a questionnaire to a sample of 474 SMEs in Colombia regarding the adoption of ICT and independent variables identified in the literature. Then, we conducted a series of multiple regression models using the data we obtained. Findings:We developed a model that identifies a positive relation between new business opportunities that ICT offer and their adoption level. Likewise, this research identified that a lack of confidence in ICT's security and privacy, a perception of ICT cost-benefit unbalance have a negative impact on the implementation of these technologies. Research limitations/implications:This study has limitations that are inherent to crosssectional research. These restrict the possibility of conducting dynamic analysis between independent and dependent variables. Likewise, the generalization of results is circumscribed to a geographical context and the type of enterprises surveyed.-666- Versión en españolIntangible Capital -http://dx.doi.org/10.3926/ic.726 Practical implications:The results of this research provide valuable contributions to decisionmaking by SMEs' directors and to public policies that foster the implementation of ICT in SMEs based on an analysis of benefits and barriers found in this study. Originality/value:In view of a lack of empirical work that analyzes the implementation of technology in enterprises in emerging countries, this study provides a valuable contribution to the creation of knowledge when attempting to explain the implementation of ICT using a representative sample of SMEs in Colombia identifying the quantitative form of the impact of the benefits and barriers of these technologies.

Factors Affecting SME Owners in Adopting ICT in Business using Thematic Analysis

“…Security [21] and system stability are also factors that make SME owners less likely to use ICT because they fear that if they make mistakes, they will lose their money. The themes of external factors of regulators are government initiatives [36] skills improvement courses [13], [27] and no urgency. The respondents welcomed any government initiative in promoting the use of ICT [14] among SME owners and thus increased their income in business.…”

“…ICT contributes significantly to today's business transactions. Thus, SMEs are encouraged to adapt their purchases online so that with these trading platforms, they will enable all types of customer orders [36] and, in turn, increase the company's revenue and profitability. SMEs are also encouraged to continue to use ICT as it can generate effective business plans, access databases, and improve communication and social networks [50].…”

ICT Usage determinants among Tanzania World Heritage sites

“…The available literature does not, however, preciously enlighten about the sluggishness of the adoption of ICT in this area where ICT is plausible to make a significant impact (Awa et al, 2016;Fuchs et al, 2010;Mndzebele, 2018;Mupfiga, 2015;Mwai, 2016;Osorio et al, 2016).This is because most of these studies focused on determinants of ICT usage in Western and Asian destinations whose level of ICT usage is not the same as the sites located in remote areas, which are the interest of the present study. Close research to the present research in Africa and Tanzania (Kilangi, 2012;Isote, 2013;Otieno, 2015;Obonyo andOkeyo, 2016 andKamuzora, 2016) also have their focus on sectors other than tourism.…”

“…The measurement scales used to collect data in this study were adopted from the existing ICT measurement scales. The technological factors were adopted from previous studies by Ibrahim et al (2015), Musa et al (2015), and Osorio-Gallego et al (2016. It consisted of perceived relative advantage (8 items), perceived compatibility (8 items), and perceived less complexity (7 items).…”

“…,Ibrahim et al (2015),Isaac et al (2016),Chong et al (2009),Kante et al (2017), Osorio-Gallego et al (2016,Wagaw and Mulugeta (2018) who identified the issue of perceived relative advantage (PR), perceived compatibility (PCT) and perceived less complexity (PCL) as factors affecting usage. The organizational factors are refined into two first-order variables; (1) ICT support infrastructure (INF); and, (2) ICT support skills (SS).…”