The impact of IT adoption in SMEs supply chains: A case of Gauteng and Free State provinces of South Africa

Abstract

This study probed the influence of information technology adoption by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Gauteng and Free State Provinces of South Africa. The supply chain integration and collaboration of the SMEs was also explored to ascertain the IT influence. A quantitative methodology was used as it was the best way to measure the extent of the information technology (IT) influence. The participants were sent questionnaires via the e-mail and provided feedback to the researcher via the same medium. The sample size of 300 comprised the owner/manager in the manufacturing and service sector SMEs from the two provinces. The data collected was analysed using a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) method and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using AMOS 22 Statistical Analysis software. The findings from the study indicated that information technology adoption enhanced integration and collaboration of SMEs supply chain. It also emerged that there was wide application of information technology amongst most of the SMEs approached. The other benefits that emerged from the increased use of IT in the supply chain included enhancement of customer service, inventory management, lead time, and relationship building. Indeed, Instilling IT skills to the SMEs employees was actually knowledge enhancement in performing business tasks.

A Team-Level Study of the Relationship between Knowledge Sharing and Trust in Kenya: Moderating Role of Collaborative Technology

“…One previous study on telecommunications employees whose work combined advanced technologies with high levels of innovation found that the extent of trust within the technology-reliant workforce determined the amount of team-level cooperation [38]. Training employees to have strong technological skills promoted knowledge enhancement in the performance of tasks related to business in an organization [39]. Yu et al [40] found that technology enhanced knowledge management in the work environment, which entailed knowledge creation and knowledge sharing and gave the organization a competitive advantage that allowed it to increase its technological innovation.…”

Sustainable Livelihoods of Township Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises towards Growth and Development

“…In Gauteng province, the SMMEs created about 150,000 jobs in a single year, and this was as a direct result of government's support to SMMEs [49]. Therefore, it is imperative that township SMMEs receive necessary interventions and support to address many of the challenges faced by the country [11].…”

“…However, various studies have been conducted around SMMEs in South Africa, precluding the township context [9][10][11][12][13]. Reference [14] agreed that literature on small businesses focuses on other SMME contexts as a whole, while far less research has focused on the township SMME context.…”

An information and communication technology adoption framework for small, medium and micro-enterprises operating in townships South Africa

“…Various studies have been conducted around SMMEs in SA, precluding the township context (Cant et al 2015;Ismail, Jeffrey & Belle 2011;Mathu & Tlare 2017;Pillay 2016;Turpin 2018). To better determine the factors affecting ICT adoption by township SMMEs and construct an ICT adoption framework, it is necessary to broadly understand the township environment, including their historical background.…”