Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Use and Adoption of Technology by Small Business Owners in Queens, NY

Many small businesses today experience apprehension or anxiety when adopting new and emerging technologies in their place of business. Though we live in a time of unparalleled access to technology, many businesses still avoid adopting technology or upgrading to the latest version. Despite knowing the advantages of using technology to conduct business (in-person or on the Internet), some businesses purposely choose to not use technology. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative case study was to understand why these businesses choose to do so, and to learn what can be done to help them overcome these barriers to technological adoption. The method for this study included in-depth interviews with 30 small businesses located in Queens, New York. Queens, NY was selected for the site of this study because I am from Queens, is a small business owner, and has an intimate knowledge of how business is conducted in this region. Queens is the most ethnically and linguistically diverse borough in NYC, and by situating the study here, I hoped to examine how and why technology was used. Thus, the data collection and data analysis process sought to record the experiences and beliefs of all participants to understand their technology adoption position based on social and cultural experiences, motivations, and beliefs

The impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana, West Africa

This paper presents the results of a research carried out to learn about the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the Kumasi metropolis. The study investigates the extent to which the increase in productivity of SMEs can be attributed to the implementation of ICT, the contribution of ICT in the growth of SMEs that has adopted it, whether the advent of the internet has changed the ways of businesses and if the use of the internet is essential in locating additional contracts and to expand the enterprises’ market. The study provides an insight on the barriers for the adoption of ICT. Data on these aspects of ICT was collected from 40 SMEs through a questionnaire instrument. The results of the study show that only a small number of SMEs in Kumasi are aware of the benefits of ICT adoption. Majority of the firms that use the internet mainly use it to locate customer and contracts, general business information, and e-mailing rather than sourcing for raw materials. Most of the SMEs have reported a positive performance and other benefits by utilizing ICT in their businesses. Lack of internal capabilities, lack of financial support, non – availability of infrastructure and personal reasons were the major barriers in adopting ICT.  There is a need for more focus and concerted efforts on increasing awareness among SMEs on the benefits of ICT adoption. The results of the study recognize the need for more training facilities in ICT for SMEs, measures to provide ICT products and services at an affordable cost, and availability of free professional advice and consulting at reasonable cost to SMEs. Our findings therefore have important implication for policy aimed at ICT adoption and use by SMEs. Keywords: Information and communications technology (ICT), small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), ICT adoption, ICT use, government polic

ICT diffusion and the digital divide in tourism: Kazakhstan perspective

No abstract available

E-commerce technology adoption framework by New Zealand small to medium size enterprises

This paper attempts to highlight a framework for the adoption of electronic commerce (EC) technologies in New Zealand with specific interest in the small to medium-size enterprise (SME) sector of the economy. The main thrust of the research was to develop the framework for EC adoption by the New Zealand SMEs and hence study the accelerators and impediments to the adoption and diffusion of EC technologies. The paper shows how IS/IT adoption and diffusion theories and practicalities can be explored for developing the proposed EC adoption framework. It is argued that results from research case studies based on the framework are able to identify the factors influencing and leading to the adoption of e-commerce technologies by the New Zealand SMEs

Investigating e-business practices in tourism :a comparative analysis of three countries

This study examined the behaviour of tourist companies in relation to the adoption of e-business technologies and applications. The study aimed to identify groups of companies with homogenous behaviour among three European countries (Greece, Portugal and Norway). Based on data from a European survey, the study employed two-step cluster analysis which revealed 14 clusters of common behaviour (five clusters in Greece, five in Portugal and four in Norway). These clusters were named as: Leaders’ ‘Technology Experts’, ‘Fast Adopters’ ‘Beginners’, ‘Late Adopters’. In Norway, the group ‘Late Adopters’ also included companies characterised as ‘Beginners’ in the other two countries. We suggest further investigation among European countries in order to reveal more groups of similar behaviour toward e-business adoption

Enhanced broadband access as a solution to the social and economic problems of the rural digital divide

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Assessing regional digital competence: Digital futures and strategic planning implications

Understanding strategic decisions aimed at addressing regional economic issues is of increasing interest among scholars and policy makers today. Thus, studies that proffer effective strategies to address digital futures concerns from social and policy perspectives are timely. In light of this, this research uses strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis tool to frame a regional strategy for digital futures to enhance place-specific digital connectivity and socio-economic progress. Focus group discussions and a structured questionnaire were conducted to examine a SWOT for a digital economy strategy in the Southern Downs Region in Queensland, Australia. The findings show that while the proposed regional strategies for digital futures are susceptible to internal and external forces, strategic planning makes them manageable. The study’s findings also reveal that adaptive strategic planning can help regulate the effects of internal and external factors that shape individual and organisational responses to digital transformation, and that these factors promote regional competitiveness

An internet marketing adoption framework for small business enterprises

Small business enterprises are the backbone of economic growth and innovation. The existence of the Internet provides opportunities for these enterprises to gain the benefits of Information and Communication Technologies in their business operations. However, small business enterprises often face a variety of challenges such as limited financial resources, a shortage of skilled workers, and inadequate infrastructure (such as communication connectivity or electricity supply particularly in rural areas) in adopting new technology in their business operations. Many small business enterprises are not engaged with appropriate business strategies which lead to informal and mixed marketing approaches in their businesses. This paper proposes an Internet marketing adoption framework for small business enterprises. The proposed framework of Internet marketing would be incorporated as part of the business strategies for small business enterprises in order to assist owners and managers (who are often poor planners). This paper presents a review of the main indicators in the proposed framework, which are e-readiness, aims and strategies (which will lead to the Internet marketing approach by small business enterprises), the Internet marketing approach and the evaluation of the Internet marketing performance. The 4C’s (customer, communication, convenience, and cost) (Smith, 2003) are the factors that will be considered while implementing the Internet marketing approach for small business enterprises. These 4C’s are the ‘online’ extension of basic marketing principles. The Internet marketing performance will be evaluated to indicate whether the Internet marketing approach contributes to the success of the businesses or vice-versa

Web 2.0 and micro-businesses: An exploratory investigation

This is the author's final version of the article. This article is (c) Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here. Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.This article was chosen as a Highly Commended Award Winner at the Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence 2013.Purpose – The paper aims to report on an exploratory study into how small businesses use Web 2.0 information and communication technologies (ICT) to work collaboratively with other small businesses. The study had two aims: to investigate the benefits available from the use of Web 2.0 in small business collaborations, and to characterize the different types of such online collaborations. Design/methodology/approach – The research uses a qualitative case study methodology based on semi-structured interviews with the owner-managers of 12 UK-based small companies in the business services sector who are early adopters of Web 2.0 technologies. Findings – Benefits from the use of Web 2.0 are categorized as lifestyle benefits, internal operational efficiency, enhanced capability, external communications and enhanced service offerings. A 2×2 framework is developed to categorize small business collaborations using the dimensions of the basis for inter-organizational collaboration (control vs cooperation) and the level of Web 2.0 ICT use (simple vs sophisticated). Research limitations/implications – A small number of firms of similar size, sector and location were studied, which limits generalizability. Nonetheless, the results offer a pointer to the likely future use of Web 2.0 tools by other small businesses. Practical implications – The research provides evidence of the attraction and potential of Web 2.0 for collaborations between small businesses. Originality/value – The paper is one of the first to report on use of Web 2.0 ICT in collaborative working between small businesses. It will be of interest to those seeking a better understanding of the potential of Web 2.0 in the small business community.WestFocu