Contextual Assessment of Adoption and Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by Small Businesses in Lagos, Nigeria.

Small Businesses ◽

The European Union ◽

Business Innovation ◽

Policy Initiatives ◽

Adoption And Implementation ◽

The Relationship

Although motivating electronic business (e-business) adoption and implemention by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is endorsed by policies and initiatives introduced by the European Union (EU), a number of challenges arise as the result of a limited conceptual understanding of the relationship between SMEs and information and communication technologies (ICTs). Relatively little is known about how SMEs respond to the opportunities provided by ICTs, and even less is known about why and how small businesses use ICTs (Dixon, Thompson, & McAllister, 2002). In the first section of this critical review of the academic and government bodies of literature related to EU SMEs, e-business and policy initiatives and definitions of SMEs are explained, the unique characteristics of SMEs and entrepreneurial characteristics are outlined, and the case is made that there is a clear need for more comprehensive research on SMEs in the European Union. The second section concentrates on e-business. Many of the factors that compel organisations to adopt and implement innovation are pertinent to the adoption and implementation of e-business. These have hitherto largely been treated as separate bodies of literature, however. In this section, the benefits of e-business are explored, the factors that motivate or act as barriers to e-business adoption and implemention are outlined, and the organisational and management attributes that would seem to ensure the success of the innovation of adopting and implementing e-business are discussed. The third and penultimate section explores EU policy initiatives relevant to SMEs and to the promotion of e-business. The most wide-ranging and prominent initiatives directed at SMEs are examined here. The final section of the paper concludes with suggestions for further research.

Factors Affecting E-Commerce Adoption by Small Businesses in a Developing Country

ICT Influences on Human Development, Interaction, and Collaboration ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-1957-9.ch010 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 174-184

Author(s):

Ali Acilar ◽

Çaglar Karamasa

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Developing Country ◽

Small Businesses ◽

The Internet ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Customer Expectations ◽

Technological Advances ◽

Internet use has grown and spread rapidly around the world during the last decade. Today, computers and the Internet have become an integral part of modern societies. The Internet has created a new medium for communication and commerce for businesses. It is hard to imagine a business working without using a computer. These technological advances have also largely affected small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While large companies have been quick to adopt the information and communication technologies (ICTs), SMEs have been slow to adopt these technologies in general for various reasons, especially in developing countries. This study explores the factors affecting the adoption of e-commerce by small businesses in a developing country. To attain this purpose a case study was conducted in a small hotel, which is using its website to keep up with customer expectations and competition in a small Turkish city. Conclusions and suggestions derived from this study provide a meaningful contribution to the understanding of e-commerce adoption among small businesses in developing countries.

Effective Web Presence Solutions for Small Businesses - Advances in Global Information Management ◽

Introduction

10.4018/978-1-60566-224-4.ch001 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 1-26

Author(s):

Stephen Burgess ◽

Carmine Carmine Sellitto ◽

Stan Karanasios

Keyword(s):

Small Business ◽

Full Advantage ◽

Small Businesses ◽

The Body ◽

Web Presence ◽

Business Web ◽

Use Of Internet

Over the last decade there has been a great deal of research into the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in small businesses. More recently, this research has centred on the use of Internet technologies in small businesses, particularly their use of Websites for the purposes of ‘e-business’ or ‘e-commerce’. Much of this research has examined the adoption of these technologies, including the drivers and barriers that small businesses face. Other studies have investigated models or frameworks that might help to guide small businesses to take full advantage of these technologies, particularly Websites for the purpose of conducting e-business. A great deal of this research has been admirable in that it has contributed to the body of work available in the area. Simultaneously, there has been a body of research that has focused on specific aspects of establishing a Website. These aspects can be technical in nature, addressing issues such as how to design a Website or how to identify hosting options, or business orientated, involving the identification of aspects of Website promotion and publishing. However, given the diversity of research being reported, we feel that there is a major gap in that small businesses are left without guidance in relation to how to approach all aspects of setting up and maintaining their Websites. The components are out there, but there is little available in relation to how a small business might access these, or even piece them all together. In fact, a little further on in this book we will suggest that these days, with the presence of many of Web services such as portals available, a small business Web presence may be even more than just a Website.

Factors Related to Information and Communication Technologies Adoption in Small Businesses in Colombia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-757561/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Julian Duran ◽

Rubén Castillo

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

Small Businesses ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Legal Practice ◽

Computer Equipment ◽

Study Results ◽

And Gender

Abstract This study is an analysis of how a set of factors influenced the decision to adopt information and communication technologies (ICTs) in small businesses in Colombia; for this purpose, a logistic modeling is applied wherein the explained variable represents the companies’ decision to adopt ICTs. The main explanatory elements include the demographic aspects of the owner, the company characteristics, and the legal practice of the company and its social capital. Data from the Microbusiness Survey 2019 conducted by the National Administrative Department of Statistics of Colombia were employed. The study results noted that personal aspects such as the age and gender of the owner have an impact on the adoption of ICTs. Moreover, computer equipment is critical in these small businesses, thereby making a policy of subsidizing the acquisition of these devices relevant. In addition, business formality and social capital ties have a positive influence on the use of ICTs.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF USING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT ◽

10.25140/2411-5215-2019-3(19)-220-228 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 220-228

Author(s):

Olena Volot ◽

Vadym Kolotok

Keyword(s):

Small Business ◽

Small Businesses ◽

Information Technologies ◽

International Experience ◽

Business Enterprise ◽

Small Business Development ◽

Modern Information

The following article examines the international experience of introduction of information technologies in Israel, describes characteristics and analyzes the main features of the use of modern information and communication technologies of accounting and management atsmall business enterprises in Israel and Ukraine. The problems associated with the features of small businesses in the use of ICT have been identified, a step-by-step approach to solving the problems of introduction of information technologies into the management of a modern small business enterprise has been presented.

European Microfinance Institutions and Information and Communication Technologies

Journal of Electronic Commerce in Organizations ◽

10.4018/jeco.2010070104 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 38-48 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Fredj Jawadi ◽

Nabila Jawadi ◽

Virginie Dechamps

Keyword(s):

Small Businesses ◽

Cost Reduction ◽

Microfinance Institutions ◽

Social Differences ◽

Inflation Rates ◽

High Inflation ◽

Microfinance Institution ◽

The development of microfinance programs in Europe has increased due to the establishment of a large number of small businesses, increase in unemployment, high inflation rates and an impoverished population, which all constitute stimulating conditions of microfinance development. In addition, technological factors consisting of advances in information and communication technologies have contributed to the expansion of microfinance institution (MFI) activities among European citizens. They have facilitated the access to MFI products while also enhancing performance through cost reduction and better services to clients. In this regard, the purpose of this paper is to map state of the art Microfinance Institutions products distribution, its evolution in Europe and exploring how ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) contribute to this evolution while helping European MFI commercialize their products. The authors’ developments are illustrated through examples that include interviews conducted with MFI professionals and clients in France. The interviewees remark on the importance of such products to reduce social differences and foster economic development and the contribution of ICT to facilitate their distribution to reach larger clients.

Examining the Socio-Technical Impact of Smart Cities - Advances in Human and Social Aspects of Technology ◽

Smart Cities, ICT, and Small Businesses in the USA

10.4018/978-1-7998-5326-8.ch008 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 155-179

Author(s):

Lloyd Amaghionyeodiwe

Keyword(s):

Small Businesses ◽

Smart Cities ◽

It Systems ◽

The Usa ◽

Business Functions

The phenomenon of smart cities is not new in the literature, and one of the definitions emphasizes the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve quality of life and efficiency of services. To this end, IT systems become crucial and essential to a city's quest to be “smart.” Thus, many organizations including SMEs have developed and utilized networks to facilitate their operations, transactions, and business functions. Given the role of small businesses in an economy and their quest operate in a smart environment and using surveys from organization, this study examines how smart these small businesses are by looking at their ICT usage. The study found that inasmuch as these small businesses improved in their usage of ICT, they are now faced with the risk of cyberattack, and while many of these businesses are virtually doing nothing to curb this, it becomes pertinent for an awareness to be put in place to help these small businesses realize the need for risk management especially as it relates to cyberattacks.

EU SMEs and E-Business Innovation

Electronic Business ◽

10.4018/978-1-60566-056-1.ch012 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 174-184

Author(s):

Anne Wiggins

Keyword(s):

European Union ◽

Small Businesses ◽

The European Union ◽

Business Innovation ◽

Policy Initiatives ◽

Adoption And Implementation ◽

The Relationship

Although motivating electronic business (e-business) adoption and implemention by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is endorsed by policies and initiatives introduced by the European Union (EU), a number of challenges arise as the result of a limited conceptual understanding of the relationship between SMEs and information and communication technologies (ICTs). Relatively little is known about how SMEs respond to the opportunities provided by ICTs, and even less is known about why and how small businesses use ICTs (Dixon, Thompson, & McAllister, 2002). In the first section of this critical review of the academic and government bodies of literature related to EU SMEs, e-business and policy initiatives and definitions of SMEs are explained, the unique characteristics of SMEs and entrepreneurial characteristics are outlined, and the case is made that there is a clear need for more comprehensive research on SMEs in the European Union. The second section concentrates on e-business. Many of the factors that compel organisations to adopt and implement innovation are pertinent to the adoption and implementation of e-business. These have hitherto largely been treated as separate bodies of literature, however. In this section, the benefits of e-business are explored, the factors that motivate or act as barriers to e-business adoption and implemention are outlined, and the organisational and management attributes that would seem to ensure the success of the innovation of adopting and implementing e-business are discussed. The third and penultimate section explores EU policy initiatives relevant to SMEs and to the promotion of e-business. The most wide-ranging and prominent initiatives directed at SMEs are examined here. The final section of the paper concludes with suggestions for further research.

International Journal of Information Communication Technologies and Human Development ◽

Factors Affecting E-Commerce Adoption by Small Businesses in a Developing Country

10.4018/jicthd.2011070103 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 31-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ali Acilar ◽

Çaglar Karamasa

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Developing Country ◽

Small Businesses ◽

The Internet ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Customer Expectations ◽

Technological Advances ◽

Internet use has grown and spread rapidly around the world during the last decade. Today, computers and the Internet have become an integral part of modern societies. The Internet has created a new medium for communication and commerce for businesses. It is hard to imagine a business working without using a computer. These technological advances have also largely affected small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While large companies have been quick to adopt the information and communication technologies (ICTs), SMEs have been slow to adopt these technologies in general for various reasons, especially in developing countries. This study explores the factors affecting the adoption of e-commerce by small businesses in a developing country. To attain this purpose a case study was conducted in a small hotel, which is using its website to keep up with customer expectations and competition in a small Turkish city. Conclusions and suggestions derived from this study provide a meaningful contribution to the understanding of e-commerce adoption among small businesses in developing countries.

DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE ACTIVITY OF SMALL ENTERPRISES BASED ON TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

HERALD of Khmelnytskyi national university ◽

10.31891/2307-5740-2021-296-4-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 296 (4) ◽

pp. 21-24

Author(s):

IRYNA GONTAREVA ◽

Keyword(s):

Technology Transfer ◽

Small Business ◽

Small Businesses ◽

Social Impact ◽

Entrepreneurial Activity ◽

Small Enterprises ◽

Connected Set ◽

The economic development of any country is closely linked with the development of small business. Entrepreneurship is especially important for countries whose economies are in the process of structural change. The essence of small business development reflects the constant search for new opportunities, independence in making innovative decisions, perseverance and determination in their promotion in foreign and domestic markets. Given the scale of activities and narrow specialization, technology transfer is the basis of innovative activities of small businesses and a means of their sustainable development, a guarantee of profit and social impact. The purpose of the article is to identify information and communication tools for technology transfer for the development of innovative activities of small businesses. Accelerating the development of information and communication technologies, their penetration into all spheres of society, has made significant changes in the conditions of origin and implementation of entrepreneurial activity. There are new forms of relations between producers and consumers, managers and staff, between business partners. Information and communication technologies means a systemically connected set of methods and means of intellectual work associated with the search, accumulation, processing and protection of information, as well as its exchange between participants in joint activities. Practice shows that small enterprises carry out ICT transfer and use them in their activities (commercialize), receive additional opportunities. To achieve optimal results, technology transfer, like any other business activity, requires attention, flexible approaches and integration into the overall strategy of innovative development. The direction of further research is an empirical study of the results of technology transfer by local enterprises.