Using resource-based theory to interpret the successful adoption and use of information systems and technology in manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises

The purpose of this paper is to consider how resource-based theory can be used to explain success with the adoption and use of information systems and information technology (IS/IT) in manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A number of authors have explored the applicability of resource-based theory to the IS/IT domain, mainly at a conceptual level. Overall they infer that the key differentiators for long-term successful IS/IT deployment reside within the internal context of an organisation, based on organisational competences. This paper is based on in-depth case study research in 12 Portuguese manufacturing SMEs, which identified two factors that, from the empirical evidence, appeared to be the determinants of the different levels of success in IS/IT adoption and use. These factors were also primarily associated with the internal context of the organisations. Therefore, the findings were analysed from the perspective of resource-based theory, to understand why and how the attributes of these factors caused the differential levels of IS/IT success in the firms studied..info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Enacted Capabilities on Adoption of Information Systems: A Study of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises

An increasing number of studies into the adoption behaviour of Information systems (IS) have focused on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These past studies provide an understanding of the contextual factors offering a simple dichotomous measure such as adopters and non-adopters rather than the manner of usage (from adoption to utilisation). This study introduces the construct of enacted capabilities and examines the enacted capabilities that activate and stimulate SMEs to use an IS to it fullest potential. The construct is derived from the resource-based view of the firm and allows the integration of the technology acceptance model with diffusion of innovation theory. A model of how enacted capabilities affect IS adoption behaviour through perceived net benefits is developed. Results indicate that enacted capabilities possessed by SMEs play a prominent role in determining the adoption behaviour by these enterprises (i.e. active adopters and non-active adopters)

The impact of information technology resources on SMEs' innovation performance

This work aims to develop a research framework to examine the impact of information technology resources on the innovation performance of Saudi small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs). SMEs innovation capability influences growth and technological progress (Bruque & Moyano, 2007). However, many developing countries exhibit moderate or even low innovation performance. For instance, Saudi Arabia is ranked 54th by the Global Innovation Index (GII 2011). Innovation systems studies focus on the alignment between the interactions of innovation actors with their constantly changing environment toward better innovation performance (Etzkowitz & Leydesdorff, 2000). The dynamic capabilities of organisations have been highlighted as a crucial characteristic that helps to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage (Teece et al., 1997). The indirect impact IT resources on innovation performance represents an attractive research area (Benitez-Amado et al., 2010). Therefore, we argue that a closer look at Saudi SMEs information technology resources and their impact on the firm dynamic capabilities and innovation performance would make a significant contribution to existing knowledge. Areas such as the organisation strategies of developing countries, innovation management, dynamic capabilities, open innovation and strategic information systems are few examples of areas that might benefit from this work

Revisiting IT readiness:an approach for small firms

Drawing from the literature, this paper offers an empirically validated framework for examining IT readiness in small firms. A conceptual framework of IT readiness for small firms is developed and validated empirically using a quantitative survey of 117 UK manufacturing small firms to identify distinct clusters of firms according to their states of IT readiness. The survey responses are grouped according to three distinct profiles that display varying degrees of IT readiness depending upon their strategic motivation, IT processes, project management and technology complexity. The novelty of the conceptual model differs from the prior literature on IT readiness by explicitly recognising the potential effect of IT maturity on the capability of the firm to respond to opportunities in its external environment. The paper also distinguishes between internal IT processes and project management skills

Scale effects in HRM Research

The lack of scientific attention for HRM within SMEs can be seen as a scale effect in HRM research. In addition, two more scale effects can be identified: scale effects in the actual management of human resources and scale effects in the impact of HRM practices. This paper discusses these three scale effects, in order to answer the following research questions: − Does the return on HRM investments depend on firm size? − Why do small firms pay less attention to HRM than larger firms do? − Why has HRM research tended to ignore small and medium-sized enterprises?

A Comparative Analysis between SMEs and Large Companies in Relation to Integration Technologies Adoption

Integration technologies like Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) and Web Services allow organisations to collaborate with their partners, increase flexibility and gain competitive advantages. Despite the benefits that the integration of Information Systems (IS) can offer to enterprises, little attention has paid on the adoption of integration software by Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). The body of literature suggests that the findings that derive from the study of large enterprises can not be generalised and applied in SMEs due to the nature and characteristics of SMEs. In an attempt to study this area, research questions were raised. These research questions are investigated in this paper and supported the authors to propose a research model. The proposed model might be used to explain why SMEs and large organisations take decisions for the adoption of integration technologies focusing on different factors. The results of an empirical study carried out on a sample of 102 companies of any size in Taiwan are presented, aiming at highlighting any significant difference in the way SMEs and large companies approach integration technologies

A review of studies on information systems and SMEs in high ranked IS journals (2000-2014)

This paper identifies novel approaches to future small and medium enterprise (SME) research from a review of articles, and then introduces the papers in this AJIS special section which evidence these approaches. More specifically, the paper makes an important contribution by reviewing 61 articles in high ranked IS journals (2000-2014) and introducing three new facets which are used to analyse research on SME adoption/use of IS (units of analysis, SME sizes and SME types) not considered in previous literature review studies. These facets provide thebasis for proposing various future research opportunities. The editorial then introduces the four papers in this special section covering the research theme on SMEs, and highlights the contributions they make using the three facets