Journal of Systems and Information Technology

Margi Levy; Philip Powell; Philip Yetton

2011 Journal of Systems and Information Technology

doi: 10.1108/13287261111135963

Purpose – This paper seeks to understand how strategic information systems (IS) alignment takes place in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs a qualitative and quantitative analysis of data from 27 cases. Findings – A contingent model allows re‐interpretation of earlier findings that appear to be inconsistent. First, benefit realisation depends on alignment between IS and business strategies. Second, IS investment is frequently limited to supporting operations and transactions. Third, organizations with more sophisticated IS tend to perform less successfully than those with less complex systems, the greatest alignment and highest performance are reported for systems to improve efficiency, and organizations that adopt a low‐cost approach are unlikely to use IS strategically. Research limitations/implications – The paper extends understanding of the contingent nature of SMEs' investment in, and use of, IS, and of the effect of market position on IS management. It provides guidelines by describing the dominant paths to alignment. The limitations are that the SME sample is not random, the scoring protocols rely on author coding, whether the research identifies cycles of alignment, alternative interpretations of path hierarchy, and if an SME's location uniquely defines its alignment path. Originality/value – Performance is a function of the alignment between IS strategy and other business domains. However, prior research has focused on outcomes, rather than the processes by which alignment is developed. Using multiple case data, this paper investigates alignment in SMEs, explaining why different SMEs follow different paths to alignment. Four paths are identified, with the path chosen contingent on an SME's market position.

Idisemi Apulu; Ann Latham; Robert Moreton

2011 Journal of Systems and Information Technology

doi: 10.1108/13287261111135972

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider factors affecting the effective utilisation of information and communication technology (ICT) and the adoption of more sophisticated ICT solutions in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopts a case study approach. Semi‐structured interviews in 25 SMEs were used as tools for data collection. Findings – The paper identifies eight key factors that affect the effective utilisation and adoption of more sophisticated or advanced ICT solutions in Nigerian SMEs. Research limitations/implications – The data for this research are drawn from a particular region in Nigeria, therefore, the findings are not generalisable to SMEs in other regions. Also, the data are collected from various industry sectors hence, it is not possible to have sector‐specific conclusions. Practical implications – Effective utilisation of sophisticated ICT solutions in SMEs has great impact on SMEs' competitiveness. Also, the study could assist owner‐managers, policy makers and stakeholders to better understand the major challenges faced by Nigerian SMEs and create various initiatives to assist these SMEs. Originality/value – The study provides insight into the adoption of sophisticated ICT solutions within Nigerian SMEs that is of value to owner‐managers, policy makers and academic researchers. The study further suggests means to achieve a successful and sustainable technology adoption in SMEs.

Hart O. Awa; Sunday C. Eze; Joseph E. Urieto; Benjamin J. Inyang

2011 Journal of Systems and Information Technology

doi: 10.1108/13287261111135981

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of such demographic variables as age composition, gender sensitivity, experience, homogeneity/heterogeneity and educational attainment of top management teams (TMT) on small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs)' information technology (IT) adoption behaviour. Design/methodology/approach – The data collection method was primarily field survey guided by the five working hypotheses and research objectives. Analysis of the data was made with multiple regression analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient as there were five independent variables that entered into the equation, though at different stages/times. Findings – As the study unravelled, the age composition, experience and gender sensitivity of TMT members of SMEs were found to have significantly strong power of predicting the extent of adoption of IT. Group homogeneity, in terms of functional track, has negative impacts and education has weak impacts, contrary to many previous inquiries. Practical implications – The paper takes a sample of subjects across industries from where findings are specifically generalized. Extended data and measures are required for further in‐depth investigation in specific areas and industries not covered by this work in order to build external validity and further expand knowledge. Also, the paper suggests that marketers of IT infrastructures are encouraged to focus more on individual and group idiosyncrasies of decision makers measured by age, gender and experience in order to accurately predict and timely package programmes that win trial, loyal, switching and viral/advocacy behaviours in this global age. Originality/value – The paper bridges a knowledge gap by replicating and complementing upper echelon theory on the extent to which IT adoption is determined and shaped by the demographic factors of members of TMT in Nigeria, where such studies rarely exist.

Paul Jones; Gary Packham; Paul Beynon‐Davies; David Pickernell

2011 Journal of Systems and Information Technology

doi: 10.1108/13287261111135990

Purpose – This study aims to examine usage and deployment trends of e‐business technologies within the small and medium‐sized enterprise (SMEs) community in Wales, since the turn of the millennium. Analysis of prior surveys such as the Department of Trade and Industry and Federation of Small Business reveals poor adoption levels of basic information and communication technology deployment and minimal uptake of sophisticated technologies in comparison to other UK regions. Uptake of e‐business was assessed through a quantitative survey of SMEs and contrasted against prior studies undertaken within Wales since 2000 to identify trends and levels of adoption. Design/methodology/approach – The study is comprised of a survey of 500 SMEs including a representative population from diverse geographical and economic regions within Wales. The survey deployed a proportionately stratified and representative sampling technique, whereby two‐thirds of the enterprises selected were micro sized classified enterprises with no employees to ensure compatibility with the Welsh SME population. Findings – Levels of e‐business uptake within prior surveys varied significantly, due to the contrasting nature and size of the samples. As a consequence, several previous surveys presented an overly optimistic picture of e‐business adoption and results must, therefore, be treated with caution. The authors' own survey revealed lower utilisation levels of e‐business than prior studies, suggesting sophisticated use of e‐business was limited, especially within the smaller SME size classifications. Originality/value – To achieve increased e‐business uptake, it is critical that there is a long‐term strategic vision by policy makers to ensure coordinated action by relevant public and private sector groups. Short‐term strategies must be avoided and policy makers must drive an agenda for change by ensuring bodies, such as enterprises support agencies, academia and public and private sectors undertake complimentary activities that encourage e‐business adoption. This study will be of value to academia, the SME community and key public sector stakeholders in the formulation of policy for e‐business development and deployment.

Knowledge Chinyanyu Mpofu; Lorraine Watkins‐Mathys

2011 Journal of Systems and Information Technology

doi: 10.1108/13287261111136007

Purpose – This paper aims to examine information and communications technology (ICT) adoption among small hotel businesses in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Design/methodology/approach – This qualitative research is based on seven case studies that fall within the South African and European Union small and medium enterprises (SMEs) definitions. The case studies are constructed on the basis of 60 semi‐structured interviews and supporting secondary data. The authors adopt the Gibbs et al. model which identifies and brings together ICT adoption factors that include government role, environmental attributes, owner/manager attributes, organisational attributes and social networks. Archer's epistemological bootstrapping technique is applied for analysing the data. In addition, Zappala and Gray's stage model is used to gauge the level of ICT uptake reached by each case study. In this way, the authors incorporate an important additional element for examining ICT adoption. Findings – Apart from providing rich insights into the ICT adoption process, the results highlight the individual distinctive behavioural characteristics as well as the stage of ICT adoption reached by each case study. The paper finds that case studies that operated in a stable business environment; with organisational readiness; financial and owner manager support seemed readily engaged in ICT adoption. Social networks played a crucial role, especially among those small businesses with resource constraints. Research limitations/implications – The findings from seven individual cases in the three South African Development Community (SADC) countries have limited cross‐case and cross‐national comparisons owing to the distinctive organisational characteristics of the SMEs. Furthermore, the selection of case studies from a single sector of small hotel businesses results in data which only reflect the experiences of SMEs in typical urban locations of Johannesburg, Gaborone and Harare. The implications of these limitations mean that further data are needed from other small firm sectors and more SADC countries in order to gain a better understanding of ICT adoption among SMEs in the region. Originality/value – The findings contribute to the literature on ICT adoption among SMEs in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The results bring new insights from small hotel businesses and help to explain ICT adoption, which is relatively under‐researched in these SADC countries.

Yi Wang; Xinping Shi

2011 Journal of Systems and Information Technology

doi: 10.1108/13287261111136016

Purpose – Small and mid‐sized enterprises (SMEs) are facing challenges in an increasingly fierce environment. This paper aims to explore the promise of information systems (IS) in enhancing the survival and competitiveness of SMEs in a dynamic environment. To address this issue, the paper draws upon the dynamic capability theory and develops a research model of IS‐enabled dynamic capabilities to examine the role of IS competence for enhancing SMEs dynamic capabilities in a competitive business environment. Design/methodology/approach – An empirical study is conducted by using survey data from senior managers of 120 SMEs in China. Findings – The analytic outcomes support the research model and confirm that IS competence significantly contributes to SMEs' dynamic capabilities for gaining competitive advantage. Research limitations/implications – This paper contributes to the literature on IS impact on dynamic capabilities of SMEs by incorporating IS competences into a research model of IS‐enabled dynamic capabilities and articulating the relationships between IS competences and dynamic capabilities of SMEs in a changing business environment. The research findings enrich dynamic capabilities theory by justifying IS as an enabling antecedent for organizational capability development. The findings may empirically convince SMEs owners and management to effectively invest in and deploy IS for enhancing SMEs' dynamic capabilities and performance. Originality/value – A capability‐building perspective is used to examine how IS can leverage SMEs' capabilities to enhance their competitive advantage in a dynamic environment.

Vanessa Zheng

2011 Journal of Systems and Information Technology

doi: 10.1108/13287261111136025

Purpose – This paper seeks to investigate the key drivers and barriers of adopting mobile customer relationship management (mCRM) services in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and proposes an mCRM strategy framework. Design/methodology/approach – Previous SME technology adoption literature has used different models to explain how SMEs accept or reject technology innovations. There is a lack of research in mobile technologies such as mCRM services. Using a secondary research method, this study critically analyses the impact of mCRM services adoption by UK SMEs. Findings – Rapid development in mCRM applications enables SMEs to gain competitive advantages. This paper argues that mCRM services help SMEs to create different levels of relationship bonds with their customers, which in turn can create value proposition and improve business performance. Research limitations/implications – This study suggests that SME owners/managers need to understand their business needs and processes, and the mobile technology, to focus on their CRM strategies, and allocate resources in order to successfully adopt mCRM services to exploit the full potential. The conceptual model needs to be tested empirically. Originality/value – This study demonstrates that business values and core services can be specific to mCRM strategy. It proposes and discusses the theoretical and practical implications of the mCRM strategy framework and suggests further research directions.