Assessing information and communication technology among Small and Medium− Sized Enterprises in the Birim Central Municipalty

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.