Why do Companies Adopt or Reject SaaS? Looking at the Organizational Aspect

The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of three organizational factors on the adoption of SaaS in Indonesian companies, namely top management support, organizational readiness, and organizational size. We conducted interviews with 15 case companies. Our results show that top management support has a positive influence on SaaS adoption, while organizational readiness and organizational size have an inverse effect. This is surprising, since it contradicts existing research on IT innovation adoption. We also found that the SaaS awareness level of our interviewees remains low, especially among the non-adopters. These findings have implications for IT service providers that want to formulate strategies to increase the intention to adopt SaaS in Indonesian companies; as well as for IT innovation researchers who have an interest in SaaS adoption in developing countries

Evaluating the Adoption of Enterprise Applications by Small and Medium Enterprises in Sri Lanka

Adoption of information and communication technology has various factors’ influence; Enterprise Applications’ (EAs) adoption is not an exception. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that share around 80 percent of Sri Lankan economy also confront the same kind of influence from various factors. Although the adoption of EAs brings various advantages for such enterprises, many firms are reluctant to make adoption decision. Vendors of such applications would be willing to know about which factors to address to motivate these SMEs’ to adopt their applications. This study aims to delineate the factors influencing SMEs’ adoption of EAs. Many adoption models have been studied in many contexts by researchers; however, these studies address selected fragmented variables. In order to provide a holistic view of factors influencing such adoption by SMEs, this study used Technology, Organization and Environment (TOE) framework.  Population for this study is from the North and the Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. Analysis revealed that technological, organizational and environmental factors significantly influence SMEs’ adoption of EA. Keywords: Small and Medium Enterprises, Enterprise Applications, Adoption, TOE Framework, Sri Lank

CLOUD COMPUTING ADOPTION DETERMINANTS: AN ANALYSIS OF AUSTRALIAN SMES

In Australia, there is an emerging tendency among SMEs towards the adoption of cloud computing. However, there are limited studies investigating the factors that influence cloud computing adoption within Australian SMEs. To fill the research vacuum, we developed a research model based on the diffusion of innovation theory (DOI), the technology-organisation-environment (TOE) framework, and our prior exploratory study to investigate the determinants that influence the adoption of cloud computing. An organizational-level survey was conducted across Australia to collect data from technology decision makers in SMEs. Data collected from 203 firms are used to test the related hypotheses. This study contributes a statistically validated model of the influential determinants of cloud computing adoption. Data analysis indicates that Technological Factors (cost savings, relative advantages, compatibility, and trialability), Organizational Factors (firm size, top management support, innovativeness of the firm, and IS knowledge), and Environmental Factors (market scope and external computing support) were found to be determinants of the adoption of cloud computing services. Benefits of the findings are twofold. First, they provide knowledge about cloud computing determinants in the Australian marketplace. Second, they provide policy planners and SMEs’ decision makers with insights and directions for successful adoption of cloud computing technology

DIGITALIZATION OF LOCAL OWNER OPERATED RETAIL OUTLETS: THE ROLE OF THE PERCEPTION OF COMPETITION AND CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS

On the one hand, the increasing digitalization of commerce has put local owner operated retail outlets (LOOROs) under pressure to adapt their business models to the new technological and competitive environment as well as to the changing shopping habits of their customers. On the other hand, it also offers potential competitive advantages for them. This paper investigates the retailers’ perception of the competition and their perception of customer expectations, combined with a survey of the current use of digitalized services and the LOOROs readiness to increase the usage of digitalized services. Our results confirm that the perception of competitive pressure and customer expectations has a positive influence on LOOROs’ readiness to adopt new technologies and business models. But a significant number of the surveyed retailers underestimate the expectations of their customers and are reluctant to add digital services to their business portfolio. While our key findings are relevant insights for all LOOROs on their journey towards digitalization, our findings provide even more significant insights for all digital service providers aiming to take a slice of the still substantial market shares of LOOROs in rural areas

E-Commerce Adoption by Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria

The future survival of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is inextricably linked to their implementation of e-commerce systems. The lack of e-commerce strategies among SME business owners has contributed to a low level of e-commerce adoption by SMEs. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies that Nigerian SME business owners used to implement e-commerce systems. The population consisted of retail SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria, that have functional e-commerce systems. The conceptual framework supporting the study was dynamic capabilities framework. Data for the study were derived from semistructured interviews of 4 SME business owners/managers and documentation from the case companies. Data analysis entailed coding of the interview transcripts and analysis of documentary data to identify themes. Member checking and triangulation ensured the credibility of the study. The main themes that emerged from data analysis include service delivery strategies, dynamic marketing strategies, and learning and adaptation. The implications for social change include the potential to contribute to increased wealth creation opportunities for the business owners, their employees, and the local communities in Nigeria

Determinants of ICT Adoption Among Small Scale Agribusiness Enterprises In Somalia

The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can advance the Agricultural Business sector, particularly in a country seeking opportunities to explore the sector. There is evidence that ICT has made significant contributions to agribusiness because it allows enterprises to manage their operations, and it has major impacts on the business. However, the critical factors that motivate the adoption of new innovative technology by agribusiness enterprises are underexplored. The literature has indicated ICT adoption among small-scale agribusiness enterprises in Somalia is not fully understood. Nevertheless, this study addresses this gap by investigating the adoption of ICT among small-scale agribusiness enterprises in Somalia. The paper reports the use of the Technology, Organization, Environment (TOE) framework. An online survey has been conducted with random sampling for data collection, with 107 respondents. The respondents are from agribusiness staff and farmers from various agricultural companies in Somalia. After quantitative data analysis, the results indicated that relative advantage, complexity, top management support, and competitive pressure factors are significant contributors to ICT adoption in Somalian agribusiness enterprises, while ICT costs and vendor support are not significantly related to the adoption of ICT in agricultural business. This study concludes that ICT adoption in Somalia is inspired by insight and motivation rather than financial and external support. Understanding these factors leads to a better understanding of ICT adoption in Somalia. Additionally, it enriches the literature about the agriculture business on the African continent Keywords: Determinants, ICT Adoption, Agribusiness, Small Scale, TOE frameworkComment: 9 pages, 2 figure

Impact of Technology and Innovation Advisory Services

This report identifies and reviews literature that evaluates the impacts of technology and innovation advisory services. These services provide information, technical assistance, consulting, mentoring, and other services to support enterprises in adopting and deploying new technologies and in commercialising innovations. Examples include the: Manufacturing Advisory Service (UK), the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (USA), and the Industrial Research Assistance Program (Canada). Technology and innovation advisory services are also provided by technology centres and other business assistance programmes. Such services are typically targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises. A defining capability of technology and innovation advisory services is the offer of expert one-on-one guidance to individual companies through extension staff, field offices, or dispersed technology centres. The available studies generally find that technology and innovation advisory services provide positive benefits for participating firms. The types of benefits achieved include reductions in costs, improved quality, reduced waste and improved environmental performance, higher productivity, and new product development and innovation. Net benefits achieved are typically relatively modest, although commensurate with the relatively small amounts of public funding usually invested in technology and innovation advisory services. More intense and customised services can improve results. Applying best practices in the operation and delivery of technology and innovation services, including attention to outreach, staff capability, long-term engagement, flexibility, organisational stability, and linkage with other services, increases the likelihood of programme effectiveness and impact

Antecedents and impact of AIS usage amongst Jordanian SMEs : moderating effects of environmental uncertainty and firm size

An effective use of the Accounting Information System (AIS) facilitates firms to sustain their competitiveness by providing timely, accurate and reliable financial information for more informed business decisions. Despite extensive government efforts, the usage of AIS amongst the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Jordan is relatively low and thus limiting the impact on firms‘ effectiveness. Furthermore, previous studies regarding the antecedents and impact of AIS usage are somewhat inconsistent. Thus, the purpose of this study was to propose an integrated model utilizing the Technological, Organizational, and Environmental (TOE) framework and the Resource-based View (RBV) theory to better explain the antecedents affecting AIS usage and its impact on AIS effectiveness amongst Jordanian SMEs. This study hypothesized seven factors affecting AIS usage based on the TOE framework. Meanwhile, RBV explained the relationship between AIS usage and AIS effectiveness as well as the moderating effects of environmental uncertainty and firm size on such relationships. Using the quantitative approach, this study employed a self-administered questionnaire survey on 741 owners of SMEs listed in the Amman Chamber Industry, of which 186 responses were usable for analysis (25% response rate). The Partial Least Squares (PLS) results revealed significant influence of compatibility (technological factor), owner/manager commitment and organizational readiness (organizational factors), as well as competitive pressure and government support (environmental factors) on AIS usage. Furthermore, compatibility demonstrated the strongest influence on AIS usage followed by competitive pressure. The results further demonstrated a positive and significant effect of AIS usage on AIS effectiveness. Finally, the findings only ascertained considerable moderating effect of firm size. Apart from extending the body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive model to explain how several interrelated factors influence AIS usage and its impact on AIS effectiveness, the results offer insights on how firms could improve the use of AIS for better firms‘ performance