This document summarizes a study that analyzed the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in the Adum Central Business District of Kumasi, Ghana. The study found that while awareness of ICTs was high, only 23% of SMEs used computers and 49% used mobile phones to support their businesses. Additionally, 54% of the SMEs did not have internet access. The study recommended that Ghanaian government agencies and other stakeholders help educate business owners on the benefits of using ICTs to gain a competitive advantage. It also suggested improving access to hardware, software, and ICT infrastructure to help SMEs better exploit technology.
ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN THE SURVIVAL OF SMA...ijmpict
This study is to examine the role of ICT in the survival of selected SMEsin Koforidua, Ghana The study employed descriptive technique to conduct the survey. Using a sample of 100 SMEs, an accidental sampling of a non-probability technique was used to gathered data and information. The study argues out that majority of the SMEs operators do use at least one ICT tool in supporting their operations within the New Juaben Municipality. The study revealed that ICT is good and helps business survival in difficult times and become competitive in support of literature reviewed. The study suggested that periodic training in the form of workshops and sensitization programs on the benefits and the use ICT resources in business growth strategies should be organized by National Board for Small-Scale Industries (NBSSI). SME operators, can also outsource their ICT delivery systems by engaging ICT consultants in order to avoid the problem of funding relating to the setting up of their own ICT system which usually requires huge initial capital outlay.The primary policy recommendation arising out of this is that applications for SMEs need to be developed using mobile phones.
A review on a thesis, titled The Impact Of Information Technology On Producti...Ukam John Victor
The power point presentation reviewed a mater's thesis as written by AHMAD SOBHANI. LULEÅ UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, 2008. and reviewed by VICTOR JOHN UKAM
ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN THE SURVIVAL OF SMA...ijmpict
This study is to examine the role of ICT in the survival of selected SMEsin Koforidua, Ghana The study employed descriptive technique to conduct the survey. Using a sample of 100 SMEs, an accidental sampling of a non-probability technique was used to gathered data and information. The study argues out that majority of the SMEs operators do use at least one ICT tool in supporting their operations within the New Juaben Municipality. The study revealed that ICT is good and helps business survival in difficult times and become competitive in support of literature reviewed. The study suggested that periodic training in the form of workshops and sensitization programs on the benefits and the use ICT resources in business growth strategies should be organized by National Board for Small-Scale Industries (NBSSI). SME operators, can also outsource their ICT delivery systems by engaging ICT consultants in order to avoid the problem of funding relating to the setting up of their own ICT system which usually requires huge initial capital outlay.The primary policy recommendation arising out of this is that applications for SMEs need to be developed using mobile phones.
A review on a thesis, titled The Impact Of Information Technology On Producti...Ukam John Victor
The power point presentation reviewed a mater's thesis as written by AHMAD SOBHANI. LULEÅ UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, 2008. and reviewed by VICTOR JOHN UKAM
International Journal of Business and Management Invention (IJBMI)inventionjournals
International Journal of Business and Management Invention (IJBMI) is an international journal intended for professionals and researchers in all fields of Business and Management. IJBMI publishes research articles and reviews within the whole field Business and Management, new teaching methods, assessment, validation and the impact of new technologies and it will continue to provide information on the latest trends and developments in this ever-expanding subject. The publications of papers are selected through double peer reviewed to ensure originality, relevance, and readability. The articles published in our journal can be accessed online.
The Journal will bring together leading researchers, engineers and scientists in the domain of interest from around the world. Topics of interest for submission include, but are not limited to
BUSINESS OWNERS’ PERCEPTION OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROCESS ADOPTION IN...IAEME Publication
Practitioners are convinced that information technology adoption can make
manufacturing companies grow and are competitive in the global era; however, there
are still many entrepreneurs who do not have the intention of adopting information
technology. This study investigates manufacturing business owners’ perception that
makes them reluctant to adopting information technology. These days, there is a
phenomenon in which entrepreneurs are convinced of the benefits of adopting
information technology, but do not plan to practice it. This conflict is interesting to be
more thoroughly examined. The results of the study show that there are two negative
perceptions causing business people reluctant to adopt information technology, they are
high investment cost and cultural factors that cause difficulties in finding information
technology workers. The results can be used to overcome mid-scale manufacturing
companies’ problems of information technology adoption in Indonesia.
This paper had as approach a study about the use of IT resources in three different small, medium and large transport companies of the city of Pau dos Ferros - RN. The collected data allowed the knowledge of the main technological resources used in the internal structure of each company and their influence on the internal decision-making processes. When analyzing the resources used by the organizations, a certain similarity was identified in the types and a difference in the Information Systems used. The enterprises,named here as A, B and C, use thesoftwares SYSPDV, SoftCom and CissPoder, respectively. It was also identified that the small enterprise A does not use all the functionalities of the Information System employed, while the large enterprises B and C explore all the capacities of the IS in the company internal structure.
In customer’s mind, a “product” is always product along with services. Redefining services is all about creating valuable experience for customers. For ‘Redefining Services’, Technology “know-why” is quite important on top of “know-how”. Proper technology usage can make service workflow automated and efficient service chain provisioned. We all are witnessing how financial services are getting revolutionized with introduction of mobile wallets, advent of payment banks, UPI based transactions, and so on. And steady evolution is evident in many other service streams. This article captures thoughts (Author's presentation in FMS serveskriti) prevailing a decade back and how Services are getting redefined continually in technology way.
For weekly technology articles, follow the author in linkedin and/or twitter (@AloknathDe)
key factors affecting on the e readiness assessment for small and mediumINFOGAIN PUBLICATION
Due to the increasing growth of information and communication technology and to optimum utilization of its advantages, organizations must to develop their existing capacities. To measure this capacity of any organization, be sure is evaluated, the e-readiness of the organization to enter the e-commerce market. The main objective of this paper is to identify key factors affecting in the Electronic Readiness assessing of SMEs in Shamsabad Industrial City, Tehran to enter the e-commerce market. In this paper to determine this factors after identifying and introduction of variety existing models, concepts; dimensions and indicators of research is extracted and is designed in the form of a questionnaire. Then, using a designed questionnaire is action to gathering insights of academic experts and professional and variety of concepts, dimensions and related indicators is evaluated to E-Readiness assessment. Finally, with regard to the reforms, have been identified key factors affecting the E-Readiness of small and medium manufacturing enterprises.
Case Study, Cairo-Amman Bank-Jordan: Improving an Organization by the use of ...journal ijrtem
Abstract : In this study, analysis and comparison between the most important enterprise systems Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Supply Chain Management (SCM), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) are studied in accordance with the organization innovation performance as a special case Cairo Amman Bank in Jordan for process and as well the CRM while using smart phones and iPads as product innovations. Moreover, this study employed a database obtained from two computers aided, mobile surveys conducted since 2010 by the Cairo Amman Bank in Jordan. Both studies are focused along the dispersal and use of the information and communication technology (ICT) in Cairo Amman Bank and its ramifications. Each database contained information about 4000 customers with more than five employees, these databases representatively choose from the most important services in the bank. These databases are taken for the sample which is furnished from the credit rating employees or agents. This agency who provides the biggest database on organizations available in Jordan. Moreover, collects basic information about customers as addresses, sectors, organization’s sizes in the market, and sizes in all enterprises that applied to the bank for credits. These excerpts from the populations of Jordan organizations were stratified according to two size categories, as Jordan and Palestine (East/West) and to several branches in both states. As many organizations as needed have been asked until all classes were met. The interviewee was, in general, the principal executive officer of the organizations who could also resolve to legislate on queries to a corresponding employee like, e. g.,
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an integral part of business management now-a-day. It is inevitable for the smooth running of business irrespective of size and complexity. Due to the rapid development of ICT and its huge use in all spheres of our lives, businesses are also substantially influenced by it. Now, the resources of the businesses are primarily managed by using ICT supports that helps perform tasks faster and more accurate than before. But the developing countries are still struggling to introduce ICT supports in all areas of business management processes as the effort is substantially hindered by a strong but ineffective work culture. Therefore, to use ICT in business management we need to know the issues and challenges of it.
International Journal of Business and Management Invention (IJBMI)inventionjournals
International Journal of Business and Management Invention (IJBMI) is an international journal intended for professionals and researchers in all fields of Business and Management. IJBMI publishes research articles and reviews within the whole field Business and Management, new teaching methods, assessment, validation and the impact of new technologies and it will continue to provide information on the latest trends and developments in this ever-expanding subject. The publications of papers are selected through double peer reviewed to ensure originality, relevance, and readability. The articles published in our journal can be accessed online.
The Journal will bring together leading researchers, engineers and scientists in the domain of interest from around the world. Topics of interest for submission include, but are not limited to
BUSINESS OWNERS’ PERCEPTION OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROCESS ADOPTION IN...IAEME Publication
Practitioners are convinced that information technology adoption can make
manufacturing companies grow and are competitive in the global era; however, there
are still many entrepreneurs who do not have the intention of adopting information
technology. This study investigates manufacturing business owners’ perception that
makes them reluctant to adopting information technology. These days, there is a
phenomenon in which entrepreneurs are convinced of the benefits of adopting
information technology, but do not plan to practice it. This conflict is interesting to be
more thoroughly examined. The results of the study show that there are two negative
perceptions causing business people reluctant to adopt information technology, they are
high investment cost and cultural factors that cause difficulties in finding information
technology workers. The results can be used to overcome mid-scale manufacturing
companies’ problems of information technology adoption in Indonesia.
This paper had as approach a study about the use of IT resources in three different small, medium and large transport companies of the city of Pau dos Ferros - RN. The collected data allowed the knowledge of the main technological resources used in the internal structure of each company and their influence on the internal decision-making processes. When analyzing the resources used by the organizations, a certain similarity was identified in the types and a difference in the Information Systems used. The enterprises,named here as A, B and C, use thesoftwares SYSPDV, SoftCom and CissPoder, respectively. It was also identified that the small enterprise A does not use all the functionalities of the Information System employed, while the large enterprises B and C explore all the capacities of the IS in the company internal structure.
In customer’s mind, a “product” is always product along with services. Redefining services is all about creating valuable experience for customers. For ‘Redefining Services’, Technology “know-why” is quite important on top of “know-how”. Proper technology usage can make service workflow automated and efficient service chain provisioned. We all are witnessing how financial services are getting revolutionized with introduction of mobile wallets, advent of payment banks, UPI based transactions, and so on. And steady evolution is evident in many other service streams. This article captures thoughts (Author's presentation in FMS serveskriti) prevailing a decade back and how Services are getting redefined continually in technology way.
For weekly technology articles, follow the author in linkedin and/or twitter (@AloknathDe)
key factors affecting on the e readiness assessment for small and mediumINFOGAIN PUBLICATION
Due to the increasing growth of information and communication technology and to optimum utilization of its advantages, organizations must to develop their existing capacities. To measure this capacity of any organization, be sure is evaluated, the e-readiness of the organization to enter the e-commerce market. The main objective of this paper is to identify key factors affecting in the Electronic Readiness assessing of SMEs in Shamsabad Industrial City, Tehran to enter the e-commerce market. In this paper to determine this factors after identifying and introduction of variety existing models, concepts; dimensions and indicators of research is extracted and is designed in the form of a questionnaire. Then, using a designed questionnaire is action to gathering insights of academic experts and professional and variety of concepts, dimensions and related indicators is evaluated to E-Readiness assessment. Finally, with regard to the reforms, have been identified key factors affecting the E-Readiness of small and medium manufacturing enterprises.
Case Study, Cairo-Amman Bank-Jordan: Improving an Organization by the use of ...journal ijrtem
Abstract : In this study, analysis and comparison between the most important enterprise systems Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Supply Chain Management (SCM), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) are studied in accordance with the organization innovation performance as a special case Cairo Amman Bank in Jordan for process and as well the CRM while using smart phones and iPads as product innovations. Moreover, this study employed a database obtained from two computers aided, mobile surveys conducted since 2010 by the Cairo Amman Bank in Jordan. Both studies are focused along the dispersal and use of the information and communication technology (ICT) in Cairo Amman Bank and its ramifications. Each database contained information about 4000 customers with more than five employees, these databases representatively choose from the most important services in the bank. These databases are taken for the sample which is furnished from the credit rating employees or agents. This agency who provides the biggest database on organizations available in Jordan. Moreover, collects basic information about customers as addresses, sectors, organization’s sizes in the market, and sizes in all enterprises that applied to the bank for credits. These excerpts from the populations of Jordan organizations were stratified according to two size categories, as Jordan and Palestine (East/West) and to several branches in both states. As many organizations as needed have been asked until all classes were met. The interviewee was, in general, the principal executive officer of the organizations who could also resolve to legislate on queries to a corresponding employee like, e. g.,
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an integral part of business management now-a-day. It is inevitable for the smooth running of business irrespective of size and complexity. Due to the rapid development of ICT and its huge use in all spheres of our lives, businesses are also substantially influenced by it. Now, the resources of the businesses are primarily managed by using ICT supports that helps perform tasks faster and more accurate than before. But the developing countries are still struggling to introduce ICT supports in all areas of business management processes as the effort is substantially hindered by a strong but ineffective work culture. Therefore, to use ICT in business management we need to know the issues and challenges of it.
ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN THE SURVIVAL OF SMA...ijmpict
This study is to examine the role of ICT in the survival of selected SMEsin Koforidua, Ghana The study employed descriptive technique to conduct the survey. Using a sample of 100 SMEs, an accidental sampling of a non-probability technique was used to gathered data and information. The study argues out that majority of the SMEs operators do use at least one ICT tool in supporting their operations within the New Juaben Municipality. The study revealed that ICT is good and helps business survival in difficult times and become competitive in support of literature reviewed. The study suggested that periodic training in the form of workshops and sensitization programs on the benefits and the use ICT resources in business growth strategies should be organized by National Board for Small-Scale Industries (NBSSI). SME operators, can also outsource their ICT delivery systems by engaging ICT consultants in order to avoid the problem of funding relating to the setting up of their own ICT system which usually requires huge initial capital outlay.The primary policy recommendation arising out of this is that applications for SMEs need to be developed using mobile phones.
The Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Business Manage...Dr. Nazrul Islam
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an integral part of business management now-a-day. It is inevitable for the smooth running of business irrespective of size and complexity all over the world. Due to the rapid development of ICT and its huge use in all spheres of our lives, businesses are also influenced by it. Now, businesses are managing their resources by using ICT support that is helping them to perform their tasks faster and accurate than before. But the developing countries like Bangladesh are still struggling to introduce ICT supports in all areas of businesses. But due to a very strong culture at work place, this effort is hindered substantially. Therefore, this paper aims at identifying the present status of the use of ICT in business management and its challenges it faces. Secondary data have been primarily used for conducting this study which was collected from the different business reports and the journal papers. An experience survey was also conducted among the senior administrators of the business houses were also included in the study. Results show that the use of ICT is very low in the small and medium business enterprises while the large businesses houses are using ICT supports. Results also show that the use of ICT primarily depends on the complexity and the nature of the business. The entrepreneurs who have ICT literacy, they are mostly using ICT supports in the management of their businesses. This study suggests that the business houses in Bangladesh should use ICT support in order to increase the efficiency at their work. But this is often depends on the ICT infrastructure of the country as a whole.
Potentials of artificial intelligence in digital marketing and financial tech...IAESIJAI
Small and medium enterprises small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in nations’ economy, through job creations, reducing unemployment rate as well as increase the overall productivity and gross domestic product (GDP) of a country. However, most SMEs are often lagging in technology adoption which could be a game changer for their success. SMEs could adopt new technologies to improve their business operations and profitability. They are also useful in supporting SMEs to penetrate international market. This research suggests that implementation of the artificial intelligence (AI) through digital marketing (DM) and financial technology (Fintech) would assist SMEs to be competitive, current in leveraging on technology and increase their overall profitability. Based on secondary data analysis, this paper presents a conceptual framework of determining factors in adoption of AI through digital marketing and Fintech. It contributes to the academic knowledge of AI, DM and Fintech for small businesses, and presents a testable framework that can be replicated and adapted for future empirical study.
Local Small Scale Enterprises Expectations and Potential Benefits on e Commer...ijtsrd
This study assessed the expectations and potential benefits on e commerce of local small scale enterprises in Northern Samar, Philippines. Specifically, it tried to find out the profile of the seventy four enterprises in the province, evaluate the expectations of the small scale enterprises on e commerce capabilities and determine the potential benefits of the small scale enterprises from e commerce implementation. The descriptive evaluative research was used. This study likewise employed the complete enumeration of the enterprises that have potential in adapting e commerce. The enterprise’s primary business included industrial products manufacturing, computers and electronics manufacturing, communications, financial services, computer services, consulting, consumer products manufacturing, food and agriculture, and others. The enterprises had one 1 to four 4 personal computers and had one telephone line. Majority of the enterprises had an access to the internet on a broadband line. And that, e commerce capabilities will be implemented within one year. The potential benefits of e commerce use to the enterprise were very significant. The respondents considered that through e commerce the enterprises will improve its information exchange with customers, increase the loyalty and retention of the customers, and increase the service to the customer as well as the revenue. Moreover, e commerce is very important in the improvement of the competitive position to the enterprise and also the enhancement of the image of enterprise. Dr. Maiden Grace Anquilo Gan "Local Small Scale Enterprises: Expectations and Potential Benefits on e-Commerce Landscape" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-6 | Issue-3 , April 2022, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd49705.pdf Paper URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/management/business-and-retail-research/49705/local-small-scale-enterprises-expectations-and-potential-benefits-on-ecommerce-landscape/dr-maiden-grace-anquilo-gan
What affects digitalization process in developing economies? An evidence from...journalBEEI
The main objective of this paper is to investigate the SMEs’ leader perspective about the basic factors influencing the transformation into digitalization by SMEs they lead, using technological, organizational, and environmental (TOE) Model. The data were collected from 61 SMEs leaders in Oman, to achieve the study objective TOE model has been adopted. Internal consistency and data normality, and factor analysis were implemented. Structural equation modeling (SEM) used to test the proposed hypotheses. The outcomes of SEM indicate that TOE factors are significantly affects the ability of SMEs to digitalize their business process. The study findings come in the context of Omani definition of SMEs. More, no control was made for industry type to which SMEs participants are belong. Leaders of SMEs should frame strategies to simplify the digital transformation of their enterprises and attempt to provide organizational and technological facilities that will smooth their digitalization which will improve SMEs capabilities, as well as, increasing the international competitiveness of the SMEs. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is one of the first that investigated the digital transformation among SMEs from the leaders’ perspective in Oman.
Top 5 ICT issues identified by iCIO for Indonesia to address to in order to better drive economic growth. Presented to Minister of Information nd Communications. Detailed report and recommendations are available.
Top 20 Cited Research Articles in Information Management - 2021IJMIT JOURNAL
International Journal of Managing Information Technology (IJMIT) is a quarterly open access peer-reviewed journal that publishes articles that contribute new results in all areas of the strategic application of information technology (IT) in organizations. The journal focuses on innovative ideas and best practices in using IT to advance organizations – for-profit, non-profit, and governmental. The goal of this journal is to bring together researchers and practitioners from academia, government and industry to focus on understanding both how to use IT to support the strategy and goals of the organization and to employ IT in new ways to foster greater collaboration, communication and information sharing both within the organization and with its stakeholders. The International Journal of Managing Information Technology seeks to establish new collaborations, new best practices, and new theories in these areas
To Assess the Main Drawbacks of Advanced Technology for the Accounting SphereFinancialMarketCorpo
Every accountant knows that accounting is a business language and that language has undergone many
changes over the years. Dissemination in the use of information technology and the production of applications has
contributed to intense shifts in accounting firms’ Procedures as of the 1990s. From the view of accounting experts,
the influence of these advances has not been adequately analysed. The general purpose of this study was therefore to determine the effect of technological progress on the accounting sphere in Namibia. A descriptive survey
design was used to in this study, to establish whether there exists any relationship between advanced technology
and Accounting today. The results indicate that the accelerated speed of technological progress tends to challenge
conventional processes in all fields, including the accounting profession. The study also revealed that businesses
have not only embraced the revolution of advanced technology, but have also started to adopt emerging innovations in the form of accounting software, mobility and the creation of social media platforms. With a figure of
less than 50% IT-enabled use, it is obvious that accounting students and accountants do not know how to run
accounting information systems, while companies continually rely on technological advancements to conduct their
tasks.
Empirical Study: Moroccan Information systems specificities for better IT Gov...INFOGAIN PUBLICATION
The spread of information systems (IS) use has become an essential criterion for judging today's overall development level of a country and its attractiveness for capital and investment. Many international rankings evaluate the performance of different countries at this level. And Morocco occupies a disappointing position compared to its potential. Paradoxically, Morocco is lagging behind, although in the telecom sector, it is ahead of many developing countries, Thus, in 2015, the index NRI (Networked Readiness Index), measuring the preparation of an economy to make effective use of new information technologies (IT) published by the World Economic Forum, ranks Morocco in the 87th place. Indeed, with the exception of large companies that have implemented a set of tools to automate the process, a large number of SMEs and SMIs are very late as far as IT use is concerned. It means that IS in Morocco is still unable to achieve business perspectives for benefits and processes optimization. The aim of this article is to understand the particularities of Moroccan IS to understand the week points to correct in order to govern well enterprise Information technologies.
Cloud Computing, being one of the most recent innovative developments of the IT world, has been
instrumental not just to the success of SMEs but, through their productivity and innovative contribution to
the economy, has even made a remarkable contribution to the economic growth of the United States. To
this end, the study focuses on how cloud computing technology has impacted economic growth through
SMEs in the United States. Relevant literature connected to the variables of interest in this study was
reviewed, and secondary data was generated and utilized in the analysis section of this paper. The findings
of this paper revealed that there have been meaningful contributions that the usage of virtualization has
made in the commercial dealings of small firms in the United States, and this has also been reflected in the
economic growth of the country. This paper further revealed that as important as cloud-based software is,
some SMEs are still skeptical about how it can help improve their business and increase their bottom line
and hence have failed to adopt it. Apart from the SMEs, some notable large firms in different industries,
including information and educational services, have adopted cloud computing technology and hence
contributed to the economic growth of the United States. Lastly, findings from our inferential statistics
revealed that no discernible change has occurred in innovation between small and big businesses in the
adoption of cloud computing. Both categories of businesses adopt cloud computing in the same way, and
their contribution to the American economy has no significant difference in the usage of virtualization.
1. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE)
ISSN: 2278-3075, Volume-3, Issue-2, July 2013
203
Abstract— The number of Small and Medium Enterprises
(SMEs) operating in the Adum Central Business District (CBD) of
Kumasi, Ghana continues to grow at an increasing rate, but still
they do not conform to the right standards and appropriate
parameters. No matter what business activities they embark on
some Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can
be effectively used to enhance their operations. This paper finds
out the adequacy of dissemination of ICTs and its level of
deployment in the operations of SMEs of trade businesses in the
Adum CBD and establishes the level of awareness of computers
and their related technologies among owner-managers. In order
to do an in-depth assessment of the situation, the CBD was put
into zones A, B, and C and enterprises were selected at random.
Interview procedures and administered questionnaires were used
to obtain data for analysis. In effect, the study established that
though the level of awareness is high, only 23% of these SMEs use
computers whilst 49% use mobile phones to support their
businesses. Also, 54% of these enterprises do not have access to
the Internet. Thus, the exploitation and deployment of ICTs
remain a greater challenge to these enterprises. It is recommended
that the Ministry of Trade and Industry and other stakeholders
organize programmes to enlighten owner-managers on the
prospects of using ICTs to gain competitive advantage. In
addition, the ICT industry must be revamped and freed from
bottlenecks surrounding access to hardware and software.
Index Terms— Awareness, Competitiveness, Digital Enterprise
ICTs, Owner-Managers, SMEs, Supply Chain.
I. INTRODUCTION
mall and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are enterprises that
employ relatively small financial and human capital to do
businesses of all kinds. In Ghana, owner-managers find it
easier to engage in trade businesses than the other forms of
businesses. Tang [1] explained that the entrepreneurial
economy is as a result of vibrant SMEs through persistent
innovations in national economies. It must be pointed out that
the definitions of SMEs differ from country to country, but
usually fall within the context of financial capital and level of
employment. Stokes and Wilson [2] however defined SMEs
in relation to social structures and relationships as there are
differences in the levels of resources. Kotelnikov [3] defines
SMEs as enterprises that employ not more than 250
employees. Variations in the definitions of SMEs are as a
Manuscript received June 13, 2013.
Gabriel Nyame, Department of ICT, Apostolic University College,
Kumasi, Ghana.
Francis Ohene Boateng, Department of Information Technology
Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.
Nana Kwame Gyamfi, Computer Science Department, Kumasi
Polytechnic, Kumasi, Ghana.
Nana Yaw Asabere, Computer Science Department, Accra Polytechnic,
Accra, Ghana.
result of differences in business processes, structures,
economic situations, culture, demography, market layouts,
government regulations and policies, institutionalizations,
social and ethic dimensions.
ICTs are all those electronic technologies that are capable
of accepting data in forms such as texts, voice, graphics, or
videos for processing to produce information for decision
making. Kushwaha [4] also defines ICTs as technologies and
tools that people use to share, distribute, and gather
information to communicate with one another, one on one, or
in groups, through the use of computers and interconnected
networks. In a 1992 report of DFID [5], ICTs are defined as
technologies that are used for collecting, storing, processing
and communicating information by electronic means.
The Ghana ICT for Accelerated Development (ICT4AD)
Policy (2003) emphasized the need to disseminate ICTs to all
aspects of Ghanaian communities, which includes SMEs as
one of the targets to champion real deployment of ICTs for a
more vibrant technologically based business environment.
Entrepreneurs are decision makers of their own businesses
and that it is necessary for them to become computer and web
literates so that they can use more computerized tools to
support their work. According to Kuppusamy et al. [6], this
leads to a positive correlation between managerial decision
making and its computerized support. In a similar context,
Kushwaha [4] explained that these technologies really impact
on business strategies, performance, and competitiveness.
Stokes and Wilson [2] stressed that SMEs form a greater
part of the informal sector, and hence contributes significantly
to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) whenever assessing the
overall productivity of an economy. According to Abor and
Quartey [7] SMEs represent 92% of Ghanaian businesses and
contribute about 70% to Ghana’s GDP and over 80% to
employment for the year 2010. Laudon and Laudon [8]
emphasized that SMEs are expected to be digital enterprises
so that their business relationships with customers, suppliers,
and employees are digitally enabled and mediated.
As pointed out by Popoola [9], the capabilities of
computers extend to monitoring and controlling work
practices in real time. Thus, the core business processes are
accomplished through digital networks spanning the entire
business entity or linking multiple businesses.
Papastathopoulos [10] argued that the adoption of ICTs into
the operations of SMEs increases interoperability and
transparency among businesses so as to improve
effectiveness, quality and security in all business transactions.
Today, SMEs appreciate computers and their related
technologies yet they fail to exploit and deploy the
appropriate ICTs necessary for enhancing business practices
ICTs and Supply Chain: The Competitiveness of
Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs)
Gabriel Nyame, Francis Ohene Boateng, Nana Kwame Gyamfi, and Nana Yaw Asabere
S
2. ICTs and Supply Chain
204
along the supply chain. Computers aid market survey and
analysis as more data are gathered about prices, products,
services, competitors, consumption patterns of consumers,
and trading policies and regulations.
It must be emphasized that the strategic use of ICTs
(especially computers, the Internet and Web tools) in the
operations of SMEs can position a business entity
competitively in the industry it operates. With the use of
computerized decision support systems, it is very easy to
select appropriately among various variables and performing
analysis on them. This is one modest way to speed up the
decision making process for quality delivery of service for
both customers and suppliers belonging to the supply chain.
Thus, the ability of SMEs to access ICTs creates an enabling
platform for enhancing their operations, and hence
performance.
Though it is generally expensive to invest in ICTs [11],
owner-managers can still evaluate the entire business
operations and come out with those functional areas that
seriously require some level of ICT deployment. Marker et al.
[12] accentuated that ICTs must be strategically utilized to
address specific business needs and not to invest in them as
something for the order of the day. It is evident that ICTs
foster the operations of SMEs both internally and
internationally as they are able to monitor activities in both
domestic and international markets. Hence, the adoption of
ICTs in the operations of SMEs is one of the most important
aspects of supply chain management practices in recent times.
This further strengthens the fact that SMEs that fail to
integrate ICTs as instruments of business processes find it
difficult to overcome challenges in the domestic market in
particular and the global market in general [13]. It is against
this background that Shiels et al., [14] pointed out that the
internet has forced businesses especially SMEs to critically
examine their own business practices and how best they can
adopt new ways of working to achieve significant market
shares. Davenport and Harris [15] were of similar view that it
is still a requirement for owner-managers of SMEs to at least
invest in ICTs especially the internet in order to become part
of the global village. According to Sevrani and Bahiti [16],
ICT investment is considered insufficient in many developing
countries due to the slow pace of development in the ICT
industry.
Due to the importance of ICTs in the supply chain of SMEs,
the main objective of this paper is to analyze and evaluate the
adequacy of ICT dissemination and its level of deployment in
the SME operations of trade businesses in the Adum CBD.
Furthermore, we establish the level of awareness of
computers and their related technologies among
owner-managers pertaining to the case study zones.
The paper is presented in four sections. After the
Introduction in Section I, Section II presents the Research
Methodology and Data Collection Instruments and Section II
presents the Results and Discussions. The paper is finally
concluded with a recommendation in Section IV.
II. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTION
INSTRUMENTS
The study focused on the Adum Central Business District
(CBD) of Kumasi (a popular city in Ghana). The focus of the
study did not include Central Market and Kejetia Lorry Park
because the trade enterprises at these places are more
structured and their products, services, and operations exhibit
common characteristics in terms of operational capacity,
physical size and location, business and marketing strategies,
goods sold or services rendered, and small market share. The
study was not sensitive to a particular type of commodity or
service an enterprise deals with because any business dealing
in whatever goods or services of any kind can still utilize
some ICTs for effective operations and hence speed up
decisions and improve performance.
Exploratory and descriptive approach was used to
determine what actually exists in terms of computers and their
related technologies and the degree of their exploitation and
deployment for business practices. Bryman and Bell [17]
were of the view that such a design gives a thorough
understanding of the phenomenon under study. A case study
strategy was adopted to help the researchers/authors conduct
a reliable assessment on the awareness and use of ICTs for
business operations. It is for this reason that Yin [18]
emphasized the relevance of the case study approach as a
good strategy for better empirical investigation into states of
phenomena.
We however emphasize that a reconnaissance survey was
initially carried out to determine the principal streets that
would be considered in zoning out the Adum CBD into zones
A, B, and C. These zonal markings helped us to assess and
describe the current situation thoroughly on the
dissemination, exploitation and deployment of specific
computer technologies including access to the internet for
commercial activities. A simple random sampling technique
was used to select samples from each of the zones. Thus,
questionnaires were administered in all the three Zones. In
this case, an interviewer-administered questionnaire
procedure was used to ensure a high response rate [19], that is,
on the part of owner-managers. This was complemented by
other sources of secondary data.
A total of 2,816 trade enterprises were obtained after a
headcount as against 2,472 obtained by Skymount Consult
Limited in 2010 indicating a 13% rise in the population. The
number is however expected to increase further as the CBD
goes through a gradual transition of modern business
operations and marketing strategies in terms of physical
structures and modern technologies. Techniques and tools of
exploratory data analysis involving Microsoft Excel Charts
were deployed to establish relationships among variables, and
this helped to establish the extent of deployment of ICTs in
the Adum CBD of Kumasi, Ghana.
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
On the basis of ICT awareness among owner-managers of
trade enterprises in the Adum CBD, 98% are consciously
aware of ICTs, particularly computers and their related
technologies such as mobile phones, internet and web tools. It
was however clear from the study that 76% of these
owner-managers did not see the need for using computers for
their businesses though they could afford them. This indicates
that these owner managers do not really know what they can
use computers to do as far as their business operations are
concerned.
3. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE)
ISSN: 2278-3075, Volume-3, Issue-2, July 2013
205
A. Adoption of ICTs in Trade Enterprises
On the basis of the adoption of ICTs by SMEs in the Adum
CBD, it was evident that a greater number of owner-managers
use mobile phones to transact businesses. The study revealed
that 149 of owner-managers always use mobile phones to do
their businesses, representing 49% whilst 69 of them use
computers, representing 23%. These mobile phones were
mostly used for voice communications about their businesses
and not for equally accessing the internet for online
transactions. Also, only few enterprises always use fax
machines, photocopier machines, printers, and scanners
representing 2%, 3%, 11%, and 1% respectively. These are
shown above, in Figure 1. It must be noted that 17 of these
enterprises representing 6% always use barcode readers to
identify prices of products being sold. These enterprises were
mostly those into groceries and supermarkets businesses.
B. Computer Application Software for Business Support
With the development of intelligent
Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and customized
enterprise software, trade enterprises are gradually becoming
oriented in the applicability of real time computer software
technologies. The study revealed that 62% of these trade
enterprises had branches of their businesses in other market
centers such as Kejetia Lorry Park, Central Market, Bompata
Area, and Bantama Market all in Kumsai, Ghana. These
branches sometimes include their remote warehouses. The
study further established that trade enterprises lack integrative
and collaborative enterprise applications that can help
monitor effectively and cohesively the overall activities of the
business, usually in real time.
In the context of use of some computer applications, the study
showed that a total of 86 enterprises used custom-made
software as against 35 in the case of COTS. Though a
significant number of the enterprises used custom-made
software, they were primarily Point-of-Sales (POS) software
and Inventory software with very little or no analytical
capabilities. This is however an indication that
owner-managers at least understand the essence of deploying
computer-based software systems for routine tasks. It is still
inadequate as they strive to remain competitive along the
supply chain with the objective of having good market share.
This significantly affects their operational capacities,
computer technological skills development and profit
margins. A total of 29 of these enterprises had never used
either custom-made or COTs software or both. Figure 2 below
shows the extent of use of these applications among the trade
enterprises.
In the use of custom-made application software, a greater
number of these enterprises use POS software all the time for
routine tasks representing 48% whilst cash register represents
27%. Inventory and TPS were 14% and 3% respectively
indicating lower rate of inventory practices among these
enterprises. The study revealed that a total of 26 enterprises
do not use any of the custom-made software for their business
activities. Inevitably, this contributes to the low number of
owner-managers who use computers for their businesses.
It was however clear from the study that owner-managers
fail to consider using management and decision support
application systems, which provide enterprise-wide
application with good analytical tools for monitoring and
evaluating the progress of work and hence enables quality
decisions to be made in less time.
C. Computer-Based Technologies and Decision Making
Owner-managers commit resources to ICTs with the hope
to not only speed up their decision making processes but also
to see some considerable improvements in their businesses. If
such ICT integration largely impacts business performance,
owner-managers easily commit more resources to the
business. Thus, the study revealed that 35% and 41% of
owner-managers rated the deployment of computer
technologies to businesses as excellent and good respectively.
This explains the significant value that can be obtained from
the deployment of computer technologies in the operations of
trade enterprises. On the contrary, only a total of 10% did
Fig.1. Extent of use of hardware technology
4. ICTs and Supply Chain
206
not realize any significant support in using ICTs for their
business operations as shown above, in Figure 3. This may be
possibly due to wrong choice of appropriate technologies
ignorance and lack of skills.
Furthermore, the study established that a total of 73% of
owner-managers are able to speed up their decision-making
processes through the use of computers and communications
technologies in the context of quality product or service
delivery in a timely manner. However, 21% of
owner-managers claimed that the use of computer
technologies cannot in any way improve their decision
making processes. These are shown above, in Figure 4. In
spite of this, it is still clear that ICTs contribute significantly
to the decision making process of trade enterprises in the
Adum CBD irrespective of the types of businesses being
engaged in.
E. Contribution to Profit Margin
A total of 51% of owner-managers claimed a significant
increase in profit margins resulting from commitment to ICT
investments in their businesses whilst 7% see no considerable
change in profit margins. 14% are indifferent about any
significant increase and this according to Hall [20], is
probably as a result of inappropriate technologies or failure to
measure ICTs’ contribution correctly on the business
operations. Moreover, such owner-managers are simply
incapable of using any reliable index or scheme to measure
such benefits obtained from using ICTs.
F. Inter and Intra Communications of Trade Enterprises
Effective communication and collaborative tools are
mostly used in the operations of SMEs in trade businesses in
order to strengthen the information flow for quick decision
making at all levels within the enterprise. The study thus
revealed that 129 (69%) of the enterprises in the Adum CBD
at all times communicate with individuals, groups,
stakeholders, partners, and other businesses all through
face-to-face interactions. A total of 85 enterprises used
computer networks for communication purposes and 36 had
no network facility.
However, in relation to the extent of using computer
networks, 35 (29%) use it from time to time but not much is
seen on their tenacious usage. Also, 38 (33%) and 41 (36%)
claimed that they had not used Intercom and Memos for
communication purposes before. These are illustrated below,
in Figure 5. The high degree of face-to-face form of
communication greatly affects business practices and hence
slows down effective decision making. This is a possible
deprivation of owner-managers in accessing relevant
information that affects their businesses.
G. Internet Connectivity
In the supply chain process, businesses rely on timely and
accurate information for making better decisions that affect
their business operations either for now or future purposes. As
pointed out by Hoffer et al. [21], the internet and its
derivatives such as intranets and extranets are the
infrastructures upon which communications for collaboration
either within or outside an enterprise occurs.
Fig. 3. Support of computer technologies in business activities
Fig. 2. Trade software and the extent of use
Fig. 4. Computer technologies and the decision making process
5. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE)
ISSN: 2278-3075, Volume-3, Issue-2, July 2013
207
One common use of the web is that it supports collaborative
decision making through collaborative tools and access to
data, information, and knowledge from outside and inside an
enterprise. The study established that 46% of trade enterprises
had internet access on site as against 54% that did not have.
Owner-managers are connected to the internet through
wireless, wired and mobile broadband connection
representing 43%, 28%, and 27% respectively. This indicates
that only 1% possibly use their mobile phones to access the
internet. Out of 59 enterprises that used wireless connectivity,
33 often connect to the internet to access information in order
to enhance their businesses whilst 19 always connect to the
internet and 7 from time to time through the same means.
On the contrary, a total of 26 had never used the internet.
These are shown above, in Figure 6. This implies that the
capabilities of the internet are still not exposed to some trade
enterprises and this affects their competitiveness along the
supply chain.
The study revealed that use of the internet at all times for
the purpose of business transactions represents 43% as
against frequent and occasional use of it representing, 25%
and 22% respectively. We also noticed that the irregular use
of the internet for business transactions is possibly due to
inadequate skills and lack of knowledge on internet-based
tools and systems for supporting business operations.
H. Challenges of Adopting ICTs in Business Practices
The adoption of ICTs to business operations of SMEs in
trade business operations continue to face challenges in terms
of funds, skills and competences, ignorance, technological
know-how, and operational capacity. It is apparent that a
greater number of owner-managers face the challenge of
adopting ICTs in their business activities mainly in terms of
lack of funds, lack of literacy skills, ignorant of modern
technologies, small room size and frequent power
fluctuations. However, a total of 135 were indifferent in
considering these factors as any challenge to the adoption
ICTs in business activities.
From Figure 7, the study revealed that a total of 66 believed
that they lacked the needed funds to be able to effectively
deploy ICTs and this represents 34% whilst 95 did not see that
as any challenge. This is an indication that majority of these
owner managers can afford to commit resources to some
relevant deployment of ICTs but possibly lack the required
understanding and direction of their investments.
Fig. 5. Mode of communication within and outside the enterprise Fig. 6. Form of internet connectivity
Fig. 7. Challenges to ICTs adoption in the operations of trade enterprises
6. ICTs and Supply Chain
208
Despite these barriers of ICT adoption, owner-managers of
enterprises in the Adum CBD understand that exploitation
and deployment of ICTs offers the following benefits:
1. Eases business transactions.
2. Enhances faster communications.
3. Facilitates record keeping and stock control.
4.Helps obtain relevant information on time for business
decisions.
5. Improves quality service delivery for customers.
6. Helps monitor sales activities.
7.Makes work easy and speeds up decision making processes.
8. Helps in solving problems without much difficulty.
IV. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
With a reflection on the SME case studies used in this
paper, it is evident that not much has been done in the creation
of level of awareness in terms of the capabilities of computers
and their related technologies in the context of proper and
efficient utilization of trade enterprise applications. Some
owner-managers of SMEs are not effectively utilizing ICTs,
such as the internet and the related web tools, as well as
mobile phones not only for voice communications but for
accessing relevant information from the internet and this has
exposed the decreasing rate of global ICT opportunities along
the supply chain. Therefore, the integration of ICTs to the
operations of SMEs in trade business operations has become a
key success factor in determining the operational capacity and
competitiveness in the markets and industries they operate.
SMEs, which conduct profitable trade business operations
can in a small way put in place computer network
infrastructures that provides a common platform for
information sharing, delivery, and processing irrespective of
location. Owner-managers must connect to the internet either
through the use of fixed telephone lines or through their
mobile phones. This enables them to become active members
of the supply chain because at any point in time they can liaise
with their suppliers, customers, and partners or collaborators
when the need arises.
The study however recommends that Government,
Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Non-Governmental
Organisations (NGOs), individuals, groups and all
stakeholders must contribute to the development of the ICT
industry because it provides a formidable platform for vibrant
business practices and hence a better dissemination of ICTs to
all communities as enshrined in the Ghana National ICT for
Accelerated Development (ICT4AD) Policy. Such innovative
procedure will strengthen the competitiveness of
owner-managers in both local and international markets for
overall vivacious business environments. As market demands
continue to change, advanced tools must be used to monitor
the behaviour of the market and to determine the strategies to
adapt for better performance. Thus, the use of such strategic
decision support systems enhances decision making,
collaboration and performance.
It is an established fact that SMEs operate with relatively
small amount of investment capital, and also on smaller scale
of operation and do not enjoy some economies of scale.
However, an ICT policy framework must be put in place to
guide the rate of their adoption to the business. In terms of
ICT literacy skills, owner-managers need to acquire
knowledge and skills in the use of some specific ICTs they
can relatively deploy to support their businesses. This can be
achieved through workshops, seminars and education on the
electronic media. In this way, owner-managers can decide for
themselves the kind of technologies that can best support their
businesses.
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7. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE)
ISSN: 2278-3075, Volume-3, Issue-2, July 2013
209
AUTHOR PROFILES
Gabriel Nyame holds a BSc in Computer Science, MPhil in Computer
Science, MPhil in Development Studies, and MBA in Business Information
Technology all from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology, Kumasi-Ghana. He has been in the teaching of computer
science/information technology at the tertiary level for the past ten years of
both private and public universities in Kumasi-Ghana. He is an author and
co-author of ICT books for the Ghana Government and Approachers Groups
of Companies and has also been involved in the training of ICT instructors at
both basic, junior and senior high schools level as well. Gabriel Nyame has
been instrumental in many software projects developed to be used mostly by
SMEs in the central business district of Kumasi.
Francis Ohene Boateng is currently a Lecturer and Head of the
Department of Information Technology Education at the University of
Education (UEW), Winneba, Kumasi Campus, Ghana.
Nana Kwame Gyamfi received his BSc in Information Technology (IT)
from Presbyterian University College, Abetifi, Ghana in 2008 and MSc in IT
from Sikkim Manipal University, India in 2011. He has three (3) years of
teaching/lecturing experience at the tertiary level of education in Ghana.
Nana Kwame’s has been involved in quite a number of IT projects involving
software development and IT infrastructural development for the past six
years. His research interests include: IT/Network/Computer Security,
Computer Network Systems and Management, Mobile Networks and
Technologies, DBMS, ICT for Development and Using Web Programming
Languages. He is currently a Lecturer, Academic and Industrial Liaison
Officer of the Computer Science Department of Kumasi Polytechnic, Ghana.
Nana Yaw Asabere received his BSc in Computer Science from Kwame
Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
in 2004 and MSc in ICT from Aalborg University, Denmark in 2010. He has
nine (9) years of teaching/lecturing experience at the tertiary level of
education in Ghana and is currently on Lectureship Study Leave granted by
Accra Polytechnic, Ghana pursuing his PhD in Computer Science at School
of Software, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, P.R. China. Nana
Yaw has a number of publications to his credits in International Journals and
his research interests include: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Software
Engineering, Expert Systems, Mobile Learning, E-learning, ICT in
Education, ICT for Development, Information Systems, Multimedia,
Recommender Systems, Social Computing, Wireless/Data/Mobile
Communication and Computing Technologies.