Background: Information and communication technology (ICT) has been a major contributor to world economic growth. Information and communication technology has played a vital role when it comes to the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In developed countries, SMEs are making use of ICT to support their business functions, although this has not been the case in most developing countries. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor argues that the survival rate of newly established businesses is generally poor, with SMEs in developing countries performing even worse than the standard survival rates.Objectives: This study aims to investigate the determinants that influence the intention to adopt ICT by SMEs in developing countries using Pietermaritzburg in South Africa as an example to understand this phenomenon.Method: The study made use of quantitative methods as its fundamental research approach. A total of 227 SMEs in Pietermaritzburg were surveyed using a close-ended questionnaire. The technology, organisation and environment framework was used as a lens to understand the study, and a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach was applied to analyse the data from respondents.Results: The study revealed that the technology context is the most influential determinant with a regression weight of 0.975 and that both technology and organisation contexts (-0.221) are significant determinants that influence the intention to adopt ICT amongst SMEs in developing countries.Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, it is evident that SMEs need to pay particular attention to ICTs that are relevant to them, including the characteristics and resources of the organisation to successfully adopt these technologies.
Background:The coronavirus disease of 2019 has extensively impacted various sectors globally, including higher education. The indefinite closure of Universities has necessitated the need to introduce alternative teaching and learning methods and tools. E-learning, a disruptive innovation, has provided an opportunity to allow for continuity of teaching and learning in Universities during these closures. Objectives:The study adopts Teo's model as the analytical tool to investigate factors that influence University lecturers to adopt e-learning platforms in South Africa. Method:The study followed a quantitative research approach with stratified sampling as a data collection approach using a sample size of 132 respondents. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was adopted to deduce factors that influence the Behavioural Intention to Use (BIU) to adopt e-learning, as well as to test the Model fit of Teo's model in the South African context. Results:The study revealed that the lecturer's attitude towards the use (ATU) of e-learning is the most influential construct towards lecturers' BIU e-learning platforms. The empirical evidence also revealed that Teo's model is a reasonable fit to the data to understand the adoption of e-learning by lecturers in South African universities. Conclusion:The empirical evidence from this study supports the viewpoint that in order for lecturers to successfully adopt e-learning platforms, their attitude towards the use of these platforms seems to be a critical factor. In order to understand lecturer's adoption of e-learning platforms successfully, Teo's model is a reasonably good framework to use.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.