A technology, organisation and environment framework analysis of information and communication technology adoption by small and medium enterprises in Pietermaritzburg

Abstract

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.

Acceptance of Electronic Banking among University Students in Pakistan: An Application of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)

“…The study results show the significant mediating influences of government support on the association between the perceived usefulness of technology in banking and the intention to use electronic banking. These results are in line with the past study of Jere and Ngidi (2020), which also highlights the linking influences of government support on the relationship between the perceived usefulness of technology in banking and the intention to use electronic banking.…”

The Covid-19 Pandemic: The Initiator for Digital Inclusion or Exclusion of Smes in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe

“…The TOE model is grounded on the premise that the extent to which an organisation can adopt technology is influenced by technology, by the organisation as well as the context of the environment (Tornatzky & Fleischer, 1990). A slew of empirical research studies (Awa et al, 2016;Gurure & Takavarasha, 2020;Hoti, 2015;Jere & Ngidi, 2020;Souza et al, 2017;Zamani, 2022) have been carried out employing the TOE framework as the theoretical foundation for determining how businesses embrace and implement new technology. According to Jere and Ngidi (2020), the TOE model could help in examining the casual factors that in the adoption of new technology innovation by a corporation.…”

“…A slew of empirical research studies (Awa et al, 2016;Gurure & Takavarasha, 2020;Hoti, 2015;Jere & Ngidi, 2020;Souza et al, 2017;Zamani, 2022) have been carried out employing the TOE framework as the theoretical foundation for determining how businesses embrace and implement new technology. According to Jere and Ngidi (2020), the TOE model could help in examining the casual factors that in the adoption of new technology innovation by a corporation.…”

“…Regarding the organisation context, the objective is to put into context all the determinants of an organisation which are critical in digital inclusiveness. These include the size of the organisation, the structure of the organisation, how it is managed, the communication channels and how decisions are made (Jere & Ngidi, 2020). The type of management within SMEs makes the decision to either advocate for digital inclusion or exclusion, based on their perceptions on digitalisation.…”

Organisational Information Security Management Maturity Model

“…Now-a-days, organisations' reliance on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has increased severely due to the rapid development of technology [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]. ICT plays an imperative role in organisations daily operations to ensure the smoothness of the services [6], [7]. In line with the increasing use of ICT in daily operations, organisational information is extremely exposed to security threats and risks [8], [9], [10].…”