The Alignment of Information Technology Applications with Non‐Technological Competencies of SMEs in Africa

Kyobe, Michael; Namirembe, Esther; Shongwe, Mzwandile M.

doi:10.1002/j.1681-4835.2015.tb00483.x

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…It is again unfortunate that research on the competenceperformance nexus amongst SMEs in South Africa is yet to grow (Kyobe, Namirembe & Shongwe 2015). Interestingly, a study by Ncube and Chimucheka (2019) established that managerial competencies have an effect on small, micro and medium enterprises' performance.…”

Section: Problem Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Boyatzis' 1982 approach emphasises the importance of managerial knowledge, abilities and skills required in performing tasks regarded as vital to business success. Whilst knowledge, skills and abilities reflect taskbased areas of competence, person-specific areas of competence deal with the attributes of an individual, like, traits, motives, planning, leadership, communicating effectively, endurance and influencing others that are not only conspicuous but help in superior performance (Kyobe et al 2015). Kierstead (1998) notes that this shift of the level of analysis (from one's job and the tasks associated with it to the abilities of the individual executing the tasks) is extremely important in modern workplaces, where the environment requires that firms organise around the assignment and the work to be completed, than around narrowly defined and delineated jobs.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Managerial political competencies and the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in South Africa

2021

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Orientation: Research on managerial political competencies has progressed well in other organisational setups; but not so much in entrepreneurial ventures, yet literature documents the pivotal role played by political competencies in the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Research Purpose: This study intended to find the impact of managerial political competencies on the performance of SMEs as measured by both innovation and return on investment (ROI) in SMEs in the Gauteng Province of South Africa.Motivation for the study: Regardless of the contribution done by SMEs in contemporary economies, and the fundamental role managerial political competencies play in sustaining these enterprises, no known study has been done among SMEs in South Africa.Research design, approach and method: The study employed an ex post facto correlational design that adopted a purely quantitative approach. The sample comprised of 211 owner/managers in Gauteng Province. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlation were used for data analysis.Main findings: Owner/managers were found to be politically competent in the dimensions of social astuteness and networking abilities, but fared not so well on the apparent sincerity and interpersonal influence dimensions. It was also established that SMEs performed relatively better in terms of innovation compared to ROI, although ROI had greater potential to respond to improvements in the quality of managerial political competencies when compared to innovation . There was a statistically significant relationship between managerial political competencies and SME performance as measured by innovation and ROI.Practical/managerial implications: It is recommended that managerial political competencies be augmented internally through deliberate human resource development initiatives in order to leverage on them. It is also recommended that support structures and agencies that assist owner/managers in competency development be augmented at both provincial and government levels.Contribution/Value-add: The study attempts to fill the gap between research and practice regarding managerial political competencies in SMEs in South Africa.

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Section: Problem Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managerial political competencies and the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in South Africa

2021

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“…This finding, in addition to the fact that these women-led SMEs rely on word of mouth as their major strategy in a time where digital technology is changing the face of businesses, is quite surprising. Most of these SMEs were hair and beauty salons and such enterprises, especially in South Africa, are known to cluster within the same proximity (Kyobe, Namirembe, and Shongwe, 2015). This type of arrangement creates equal opportunities to the market share and allows close and first-hand contact with potential customers and suppliers.…”

Section: Clustermentioning

confidence: 99%

Alignment of Human Competencies with Mobile Phone Technology and Business Strategies by Women‐LED SMEs in South Africa

Ajumobi

Kyobe

2017

E J Info Sys Dev Countries

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Women-led SMEs are faced with challenges that inhibit the performance of their businesses. By aligning their human competencies, mobile phone technology and the appropriate business strategy, they can steer their businesses to better performance. However, there is a scarcity of studies providing insight into how they can achieve this. Given the existence of the interplay between human competencies, mobile technology and business strategy, the perspective of alignment as Gestalts was adopted to determine the best way women-led SMEs may align these three aspects. Data was collected from 70 women-led SMEs in four provinces in South Africa and analysed using cluster analysis. Of the four clusters that emerged, one performed highly. This study contributes to theory by showing the value of Gestalts theory in assessing the configuration and patterns of organisational variables; and to practice, by providing insight into ways women-led SMEs can combine these three variables to achieve high business performance.

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“…In their study on 70 women-led SMEs (firms or businesses that are owned, managed or partnered by women) in South Africa, Ajumobi and Kyobe (2017) attempted to understand how the alignment of mobile phone technologies, human competencies and business strategy (Muhanguzi and Kyobe, 2014; Kyobe et al , 2015) led to entrepreneurial success of women-led SMEs. Some of the major business strategies used by women-led SMEs in South Africa included market share and growth-oriented strategy, leveraging the use of IT trends strategy, customer-relationship and satisfaction-oriented strategy and conservative strategy (that involved attracting customers through cost cuts and word-of-mouth publicity).…”

Section: Major Themes Emerging From the Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the gendered nature of developing country MSMEs’ access, adoption and use of information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D)

Mohanty

Mishra

2020

IJGE

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Purpose The widespread use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has had a significant effect on various groups and communities of people including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their owners/managers. The current study aims to analyze recent literature regarding adoption of ICTs by MSMEs. Further, it tries to locate gender within this broader context of diffusion of ICTs among MSMEs. Design/methodology/approach Using the thematic analysis approach, the research articles pertaining to six leading journals on ICTs, gender and entrepreneurship published during the time period from 2011 to 2019 are reviewed. Findings The literature selected for the study has been discussed under two primary categories, viz. “adoption of information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) for business purposes” and “insights on gender in ICT4D use by MSMEs.” Research limitations/implications The context-dependent nature of ICT use can enable future entrepreneurs to assess the scope of specific ICTs in given areas of operation. The gendered nature of ICTs helps to evaluate as well as question the empowerment potential of ICTs. The study emphasizes the need to account for historical specificities and transnational linkages in understanding access, adoption and use of ICT4D by women MSME entrepreneurs. Originality/value The study bridges together literature on ICT4D use by MSMEs and the role of gender in ICT-mediated entrepreneurial environments. While unraveling the interplay of power dynamics in such environments, the scope for future research in terms of tapping into the content of information exchanges and exploring the implications of “dark side of internet” for women MSME entrepreneurs is also indicated.

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The Alignment of Information Technology Applications with Non‐Technological Competencies of SMEs in Africa

Cited by 10 publications

References 41 publications

Managerial political competencies and the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in South Africa

Managerial political competencies and the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in South Africa

Alignment of Human Competencies with Mobile Phone Technology and Business Strategies by Women‐LED SMEs in South Africa

Understanding the gendered nature of developing country MSMEs’ access, adoption and use of information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D)

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