APPLICATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES IN BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND ACCESS TO BUSINESS INFORMATION BY SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN WESTERN UGANDA

Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-174
Author(s):  
Constant Okello-Obura ◽  
Diana Kacunguzi ◽  
Justin Kidaaga

Realising the central role that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play in the economic growth of a country and the value of information and communications technology (ICT) application in business transactions, it was found prudent to: investigate the ICT skills of SMEs; identify the ICTs utilised, problems SMEs face when using ICTs as sources and means of access to business information; establish the kind of business information accessed from resource centres/ telecentres, public libraries and Internet cafes; and propose strategies to improve on business information access among the SMEs in western Uganda. The study came about after the realisation that there was insignificant growth in businesses among SMEs in western Uganda compared to other parts of the country despite western Uganda being more peaceful than northern Uganda. The study used a quantitative approach with a total of 89 respondents; and established, among others, that most SMEs in western Uganda use mobile phones to transact business and very few use the Internet. SMEs find difficulties in accessing almost all relevant business information. The study recommends the need for establishing telecentres, public libraries and Internet cafes to create business information access portals in order to promote access to relevant business information.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Digna R. Nahak

The global Covid-19 pandemic that has plagued all countries of the world has affect all sectors of people's lives. In Indonesia, almost all sectors experience impacts, especially the economic ecosystem which has been become the focus of society. Furthermore, the Covid-19 pandemic has made the slowdown in the economic sector in Indonesia with its various derivatives. The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector which is part of the most important sector of the economy is very important feel. This is what worried by all parties, because it has made the MSME sector experienced a significant decline. Moreover, currently many MSMEs are experiencing various problems such as: decrease in sales, capital, hampered distribution, difficulty in raw materials, decreased production and the occurrence of many layoffs for workers and hunting which later became a threat to the national economy. MSMEs as a driver of the domestic economy and a middle labor absorber face a decline in productivity which results in a decrease in profits significant. Even based on the related Asian Development Bank (ADB) survey, the impact of the pandemic on MSMEs in Indonesia, 88% of micro businesses run out of cash or savings, and more than 60% of these micro and small enterprises have reduced their workforce work.


Author(s):  
Vinesh Raj S. ◽  
Meghna Gohain

COVID-19 pandemic has made a tremendous impact all across the globe. It is clearly reflected in the ongoing lockdowns, closing down of almost all shops, restaurants and public transportations, surge of unemployment etc. all culminating into severe economic depression. Malaysia, also, has faced this hit of recession, depreciation, and unemployment to a great extent with the current pandemic situation. However, when everything seems to be crumbling, e-commerce appears to have found its golden break in raising its profit and contributing to the overall GDP growth of Malaysia. There are various factors that played into the booming of e-commerce owing to the current pandemic situation. Needless to say, the value of e-commerce in helping the depleting economy and just plain convenience for people to purchase essential commodities during lockdown cannot be denied. Even the government of Malaysia has been showing support by encouraging local Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). E-commerce has the potential to become a major source of contribution to the country’s economy. However, it needs to ramp up their infrastructure regarding security, delivery, and customer services. Additionally, importance should be given to local businesses in order to empower the local e-commerce sector. This article aims to give an overview of the trend in the growth of e-commerce during the COVID era and its potential growth in the next four years based on Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) and Statista Digital Market Outlook and the factors that have led to the boom in e-commerce in Malaysia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-23
Author(s):  
Mariza Devega ◽  
Susi Handadayani ◽  
Walhidayat

Banyak sector yang merasakan dampak pandemi global (covid-19) yang sudah terjadi hampir satu tahun belakangan ini. Pandemi global yang dirasakan hampir semua negara ini, mengakibatkan perekonomian menjadi lumpuh. Banyak perusahaan yang terpaksa harus gulung tikar, yang otomatis membuat semakin banyaknya pengangguran. Berdasarkan pengamatan yang dilakukan secara tentative selama masa pandemic ini, orang semakin banyak berjualan online. Berjualan secara online menjadi pilihan, karena selain tidak membutuhkan modal yang banyak, juga bisa dipasarkan seluas-luasnya. beberapa produk yang dijual baik produk jadi maupun produk olahan, sudah memiliki tampilan yang baik, karena proses pengambilan gambar dan editing dilakukan oleh tenaga professional. Namun, berbeda dengan pelaku usaha yang baru terjun dalam jual beli online yang memiliki modal seadanya tentu tidak bisa menyewa tenaga professional untuk menampilkan keindahan dan estetika dari produk yang akan dijual. Oleh karena itulah di berikan pelatihan Digital Imaging ini dilakukan untuk membantu pelaku Usaha Mikro Kecil Menengah (UMKM) dalam editing produk, sehingga produk yang dijual dapat bersaing. Editing produk yang dilakukan pun cukup mudah, hanya dengan memaksimalkan Smart Phone dengan mengunduh beberapa aplikasi yang mendukung dalam proses editing ini. Banyak sector yang merasakan dampak pandemi global (covid-19) yang sudah terjadi hampir satu tahun belakangan ini. Pandemi global yang dirasakan hampir semua negara ini, mengakibatkan perekonomian menjadi lumpuh. Banyak perusahaan yang terpaksa harus gulung tikar, yang otomatis membuat semakin banyaknya pengangguran. Berdasarkan pengamatan yang dilakukan secara tentative selama masa pandemic ini, orang semakin banyak berjualan online. Berjualan secara online menjadi pilihan, karena selain tidak membutuhkan modal yang banyak, juga bisa dipasarkan seluas-luasnya. beberapa produk yang dijual baik produk jadi maupun produk olahan, sudah memiliki tampilan yang baik, karena proses pengambilan gambar dan editing dilakukan oleh tenaga professional. Namun, berbeda dengan pelaku usaha yang baru terjun dalam jual beli online yang memiliki modal seadanya tentu tidak bisa menyewa tenaga professional untuk menampilkan keindahan dan estetika dari produk yang akan dijual. Oleh karena itulah di berikan pelatihan Digital Imaging ini dilakukan untuk membantu pelaku Usaha Mikro Kecil Menengah (UMKM) dalam editing produk, sehingga produk yang dijual dapat bersaing. Editing produk yang dilakukan pun cukup mudah, hanya dengan memaksimalkan Smart Phone dengan mengunduh beberapa aplikasi yang mendukung dalam proses editing ini. Abstract: Many sectors have felt the impact of the global pandemic (Covid-19) which has occurred for almost a year. The global pandemic that is being felt by almost all of these countries has caused the economy to become paralyzed. Many companies have gone out of business, which automatically creates more unemployment. Based on observations made tentatively during this time of the pandemic, more and more people are selling online. Selling online is an option, because it doesn't require a lot of capital, it can also be marketed as widely as possible. some of the products sold, both finished products and processed products, already have a good appearance, because the shooting and editing processes are carried out by professionals. However, it is different from business actors who are new to online buying and selling who have limited capital, of course they cannot hire professionals to display the beauty and aesthetics of the products to be sold. Therefore, Digital Imaging training is provided to assist Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in editing products, so that the products sold can compete. Product editing is also quite easy, just by maximizing the Smart Phone by downloading several applications that support this editing process.


Author(s):  
Chamhuri Siwar ◽  
Abdul-Mumin Abdulai

Undoubtedly, digital technology (DT) has revolutionalised information and communications technology (ICT) base of the global economy, which has impacted tremendously the socio-economic, political, cultural and scientific development in the majority of the world’s economies. The chapter examines “digital divide” in a broader perspective of information and communications technologies (ICTs) that encompass not only computers, but also telephone (line and cellular), television (TV), radio etc. It is an open secret that ICTs have played and will continue to play a pivotal role in sustaining economic development in the developed countries. Through ICTs, creating, storing and sharing enormous volume of information with relative ease in almost all the spheres of human endeavour have been made possible. The power inherent in ICT that can break up barriers and boundaries holding countries, continents and businesses miles apart can never be over-emphasized. Despite the attendant benefits of ICTs, there are still deep-seated ICT inequalities both within and among the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member countries. This chapter investigates the depth of the existing digital divide among the OIC member countries and to unearth the possible obstacles. Finally, some policy recommendations have been offered towards the end of the chapter.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-271
Author(s):  
Wonkyu Shin ◽  
Sehwan Oh ◽  
Sungho Rho

This article examines some of the distinctive characteristics of South Korean firms in relation to their research and development (R&D) and export activities affecting the efforts to retain intellectual property rights (IPR). In particular, this study shows how firms of different sizes (small and medium enterprises: SMEs vs. large-scale enterprises: LEs) tend to hold the ownership of IPR differently. To test the heterogeneous effects of the firms’ innovative capacity, this study utilizes the firm level data of 6,138 Korean firms during 2006–2014. In the years 2006–2014, South Korea concluded free trade agreements (FTAs) with numerous economies and accelerated its market competition and integration into the global economy. Our empirical results found that R&D activities of both SMEs and LEs were active during the period; however, SMEs in particular took a great stride in their patenting and innovation activities. Findings of our article also show that the more companies engaged in export activities, the more actively patents grew. Furthermore, the companies in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry are more aggressive in patenting activities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 662-669
Author(s):  
Siti Nuzul Laila Nalini

The COVID-19 pandemic has an impact on the economy, social and politics of not only big countries but almost all countries in the world. Indonesia is one of the countries affected especially on the economic side. Indonesia, which is dominated by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), needs to pay special attention to this sector because the contribution of MSMEs to the national economy is quite large. This journal aims to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the existence of MSMEs in Indonesia and how solutions can help MSMEs survive in a COVID-19 pandemic situation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Roberto Osorno Hinojosa ◽  
Lucinio González Sabaté ◽  
Antoni Olivé i Tomàs

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is essential in the development and competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Its assimilation for better use appears as a recurring theme in the academic literature. Learning has been identified as a means of assimilating ICT in organizations. Learning and intensive knowledge exchange are components of service, according to Service Dominant Logic (S-D logic). The goal of our work is to understand how an organization learns to use ICT in an environment influenced by service management. To accomplish this, we present a case study of a Mexican SME, which has applied service management principles and shows ICT assimilation based on learning processes. The contribution of our research is the identification of service factors, which may be related to the reduction of learning barriers. The identified relationship has allowed us to propose an organizational intervention model that helps ICT assimilation in SMEs.  


2014 ◽  
pp. 121-143
Author(s):  
Jelena Nedeljkovic ◽  
Dragan Nonic ◽  
Nenad Rankovic ◽  
Nada Dragovic

Collaboration between enterprises includes all activities, which are undertaken in order to achieve common goals and interests. Business networking involves the establishment of various forms of associations and business communities, with or without the creation of new economic entities. The aim of the paper was to study the forms of cooperation between non-wood forest products based small and medium enterprises, as well as to determine the attitudes of their representatives towards cooperation and business networking with other enterprises in Central Serbia. Research included 91 non-wood forest product based small and medium enterprises and 19 representatives of leading enterprises, which were selected based on specifically defined criteria. Both the methods of analysis and synthesis and comparative and statistical methods were applied in the paper. The results indicate that almost all analyzed enterprises cooperate with other enterprises. The most common form of cooperation is present ?during selling? and ?during purchase?. The majority of leading enterprises? representatives are members of some of the existing associations of entrepreneurs. Based on the analysis, it was found that there is a need for development of cooperation between the analyzed enterprises. In accordance with that, proposals for the improvement of business networking were given. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 43007: Istrazivanja klimatskih promena i njihovog uticaja na zivotnu sredinu - pracenje uticaja, adaptacija i ublazavanje?, podprojekat 43007/16-III: Socio-ekonomski razvoj, ublazavanje i adaptacija na klimatske promene i br. 37008-TR: Odrzivo gazdovanje ukupnim potencijalima suma u Republici Srbiji


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandru Avram ◽  
Marco Benvenuto ◽  
Costin Daniel Avram ◽  
Ginevra Gravili

The aim of this paper is to analyze the real impact of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) skills mismatch on SME’s (small and medium enterprises) sustainable competitiveness in the presence of a guaranteed minimum wage. As part of public policies—the minimum wage needs to maintain a balance between increasing employment and not being a burden for the companies, leading them to bankruptcies, especially in times of disruptive change, in which economies have to be more resilient. The rapid progress in information and communication technologies has dramatically redefined rising unemployment as a result of skills mismatch. This paper aims to understand, on the one hand, whether there is a match between the supply demand of ICT skills, and how increasingly powerful digital technologies affect the skills, jobs, and demand for human labor. On the other hand, it aims to understand whether increasing productivity and a fair minimum wage could be an integrated approach for stimulating SME’s in increasing sustainable competitiveness.


Author(s):  
Nadhmi Gazem ◽  
Azizah Abdul Rahman ◽  
Faisal Saeed ◽  
Noorminshah A. Iahad

This article contends that design science research (DSR) has emerged as an important approach in information systems (IS) research. The design science research roadmap (DSRR) model describes the process of using the DSR in IS in great detail. Unfortunately, the existing literature does not address the task of demonstrating the use of the DSRR in detail by conducting a real case study. This article aims to examine the implementation of the DSRR with real IS research activities. The construction of a systematic innovation framework to solve problems for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is used as a case study for demonstration purposes. This article shows that the DSRR provides very useful guidance, since it covers almost all the necessary steps to conduct DSR in the information systems field. The illustrations provided with each step of the DSRR in this article will help other researchers, especially novice researchers, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the use of the DSRR model.


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