Drivers for Information and Communication Technology Adoption: a Case Study of Nigerian Small and Medium Sized Enterprises
www.ccsenet.org/ijbm
International Journal of Business and Management
Vol. 6, No. 5; May 2011
Drivers for Information and Communication Technology Adoption: A Case Study of Nigerian Small and Medium Sized Enterprises
Idisemi Apulu (Corresponding author) School of Technology, University of Wolverhampton Wulfruna Street, West Midlands, WV1 1LY, United Kingdom Tel: 44-776-578-5662 E-mail: i.apulu@wlv.ac.uk
Dr. Ann Latham School of Technology, University of Wolverhampton Wulfruna Street, West Midlands, WV1 1LY, United Kingdom Received: December 10, 2010 Abstract In recent times, the current use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in many organizations causes some forms of revolution in their business practices. ICT is increasingly becoming related to organizational values (Rastrict and Corner, 2010). Researchers (e.g. Rastrict and Corner, 2010; Lin and Lin, 2006 and Melville et al., 2004) reveal that there is a growing support for the positive relationship between ICT and its advantages. According to Kapurubandara and Lawson (2006), ICT offers promising opportunities to organizations in order to meet the challenges of an ever-changing environment. ICTs have a remarkable potential to contribute to sustained competitive advantage for businesses, having been identified as key tools in management processes (Ion and Andreea, 2008). Kutlu and Özturan (2009), argue that in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), ICT can be used as a business tool to reduce costs, create stronger links with customers, create innovations and facilitate market niche. Ongori (2009) also states that SMEs are compelled to adopt ICT in their business processes in order to cope with the challenges in the business environment. Thus, this paper intends to identify some drivers for ICT adoption amongst 25 SMEs in Nigeria. The paper is drawn from on-going PhD research. Keywords: Drivers, ICT, SMEs, Adoption, Nigeria 1. Introduction There is a rapid development in the use of
International Journal of Business and Management
Vol. 6, No. 5; May 2011
Drivers for Information and Communication Technology Adoption: A Case Study of Nigerian Small and Medium Sized Enterprises
Idisemi Apulu (Corresponding author) School of Technology, University of Wolverhampton Wulfruna Street, West Midlands, WV1 1LY, United Kingdom Tel: 44-776-578-5662 E-mail: i.apulu@wlv.ac.uk
Dr. Ann Latham School of Technology, University of Wolverhampton Wulfruna Street, West Midlands, WV1 1LY, United Kingdom Received: December 10, 2010 Abstract In recent times, the current use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in many organizations causes some forms of revolution in their business practices. ICT is increasingly becoming related to organizational values (Rastrict and Corner, 2010). Researchers (e.g. Rastrict and Corner, 2010; Lin and Lin, 2006 and Melville et al., 2004) reveal that there is a growing support for the positive relationship between ICT and its advantages. According to Kapurubandara and Lawson (2006), ICT offers promising opportunities to organizations in order to meet the challenges of an ever-changing environment. ICTs have a remarkable potential to contribute to sustained competitive advantage for businesses, having been identified as key tools in management processes (Ion and Andreea, 2008). Kutlu and Özturan (2009), argue that in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), ICT can be used as a business tool to reduce costs, create stronger links with customers, create innovations and facilitate market niche. Ongori (2009) also states that SMEs are compelled to adopt ICT in their business processes in order to cope with the challenges in the business environment. Thus, this paper intends to identify some drivers for ICT adoption amongst 25 SMEs in Nigeria. The paper is drawn from on-going PhD research. Keywords: Drivers, ICT, SMEs, Adoption, Nigeria 1. Introduction There is a rapid development in the use of