European Microfinance Institutions and Information and Communication Technologies

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 38-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredj Jawadi ◽  
Nabila Jawadi ◽  
Virginie Dechamps
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Cost Reduction ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Social Differences ◽  
Inflation Rates ◽  
High Inflation ◽  
Microfinance Institution ◽  
Information And Communication

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.

scholarly journals E-Commerce Adoption and Growth of SMEs in Uganda

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Wanzu Ibrahim ◽  
Peter Turyakira ◽  
Proscovia M. Katumba
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Cost Reduction ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Global Markets ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

Information and communication technologies (ICT), particularly e-Commerce, are considered very important to the growth and competitiveness of businesses globally. SMEs too need to embrace innovative e-commerce strategies if they are to stay competitive, profitable and successful in local and global markets. Increased use of the Internet offers potential benefits to SMEs, such as cost reduction, improved operational efficiencies, access to new customers and enhanced business growth. However, SMEs, particularly in Uganda, have generally been slow in adopting e-commerce. Empirical research into the challenges SMEs in Uganda face in adopting electronic commerce is also limited. This study sought to explore the factors affecting e-commerce adoption among SMEs; and to establish the influence of e-commerce adoption on SMEs’ growth in Uganda. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 172 owners/managers of SMEs in the Kampala District in Uganda. The empirical results of this study indicate that e-commerce adoption significantly influence the growth of SMEs.

EU SMEs and E-Business Innovation

2011 ◽  
pp. 464-471
Author(s):  
Anne Wiggins
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Business Innovation ◽  
Policy Initiatives ◽  
Adoption And Implementation ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
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

2013 ◽  
pp. 174-184
Author(s):  
Ali Acilar ◽  
Çaglar Karamasa
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Customer Expectations ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Information And Communication

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.

Enabling the Expansion of Microfinance using Information and Communication Technologies

2008 ◽  
pp. 3658-3680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narima Amin
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Smart Cards ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Continued Use ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency

This chapter looks at the origins and evolution of microfinance and explores some of the challenges faced by microfinance institutions (MFIs). It examines the costs and benefits of using ICTs as a means of increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of MFIs enabling expansion and outreach to remote populations. Specific technologies such as smart cards, PDAs, and MISs are explored in detail and case studies are provided. MFIs can also use ICTs to facilitate income-generating opportunities for borrowers, and the case of Village Phone will highlight this potential. It is hoped that this chapter will advance the case for the continued use and research into the synergistic combining of microfinance and ICTs.

Introduction

2009 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Stephen Burgess ◽  
Carmine Carmine Sellitto ◽  
Stan Karanasios
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Full Advantage ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
The Body ◽  
Web Presence ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
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.

Enabling the Expansion of Microfinance using Information and Communication Technologies

2011 ◽  
pp. 157-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narima Amin
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Smart Cards ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Continued Use ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency

This chapter looks at the origins and evolution of microfinance and explores some of the challenges faced by microfinance institutions (MFIs). It examines the costs and benefits of using ICTs as a means of increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of MFIs enabling expansion and outreach to remote populations. Specific technologies such as smart cards, PDAs, and MISs are explored in detail and case studies are provided. MFIs can also use ICTs to facilitate income-generating opportunities for borrowers, and the case of Village Phone will highlight this potential. It is hoped that this chapter will advance the case for the continued use and research into the synergistic combining of microfinance and ICTs.

scholarly journals Selected aspects of development of the Information Society in the enlargement process of the European Union 

2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 349-352
Author(s):  
K. Hennyeyová ◽  
I. Okenka
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Society ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Electronic Communications ◽  
Social Differences ◽  
New Information ◽  
Information And Communication

The information society represents the most fundamental change in our life, with huge opportunities for all people. Program eEurope has been very successful in extending Internet connectivity and has helped to obtain the adoption of the current legal framework for electronic communications and for e-commerce. The eEurope initiative should also become part of the enlargement process of the European Union. Slovakia and other candidate countries take part in realization of the program eEurope+ to support activities in using new information and communication technologies (ICT). eEurope 2005 carries the ambitious objective of achieving “Information Society for All”. This means not only overcoming geographical and social differences, but also ensuring an inclusive digital society that provides opportunities for all.

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

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Duran ◽  
Rubén Castillo
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Legal Practice ◽  
Computer Equipment ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
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.

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