Abstract:
Unlike Small and Medium−Sized Enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises have
continued enjoying the benefits of the use of Information Communication
Technologies (ICTs). This is one situation that has affected SMEs
development including those in the Birim Central Municipality. It was based
on this rationale that a study was undertaken mainly to assess ICTs in SMEs
activities in the Birim Central Municipality. The specific objectives of the
study were to examine the preferred type of ICTs which are used by the
SMEs, analyse the main uses of ICTs in the SMEs operations and examine the
barriers and drivers of ICT use by the SMEs. A sample size of 240 SME
respondents operating under four different economic sectors were targeted for
data collection. Four research questions were formulated to guide data
collection which was done using a questionnaire and an interview schedule.
Microsoft Excel was used to do the data analysis and it produced frequency
tables and percentages. Data collected was presented and discussed both
qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings indicated that, Mobile Phones
were the most preferred and used ICTs by the SMEs. Also, SME operators
who use ICTs in their businesses operations mostly tend to use it as their core
business. Furthermore, the SMEs generally face a number of barriers which
preclude ICTs use in their business operations. The key barrier that came up
was the perception by the SMEs that ICTs are not applicable to their business
operations. Finally, ICT literacy skills emerged as the dominant factor in
driving SMEs to incorporate ICTs in their businesses. Based on the results, it
is recommended that SMEs should be provided with regular training in order
to expose them to the benefits of ICT use in SME operations.
