Entrepreneurship and Innovation Strategies in ICT SMEs in Enlarged Europe (EU25)

Innovation strategies of entrepreneurs are mapped with growth and performance of their firms in this study. Findings of the study are based on the data collected from 1238 small ICT firms located in 25 member states of European Union. The survey was conducted during October 2006 and March 2007. Results of Logit analysis suggest that firms that pursued continuous innovation strategies experienced more employment growth, higher profitability, and better sales dynamics than those that adopted occasional innovation approach. Market growth of continuous innovating firms realized faster pace than other type of firms. Another distinguishing characteristic of two types of firms emerged is market preference. Target market of continuous innovating firms has been European or global markets while innovative activities of other firms targeted domestic market. The study concludes that European innovation policies should be focused towards continuous innovation activities with due attention at human resource development policies.dynamic capabilities, continuous innovation, occasional innovation, competitiveness, human resources, internationalization

Small Islands, New Technologies and Globalization: A Case of ICT adoption by SMEs in Mauritius

This paper sets out to locate Mauritian SMEs in the present context of global competition and more particularly to identify the extent to which they have adopted ICTs as a tool to meet the challenges which they now face. The essence of the argument that comes to the fore is that despite having an impressive number of SMEs which contribute enormously to employment creation in the country, the latter are in many ways ill-equipped to confront the challenges of global competition. The findings clearly show that the adoption of ICTs in SMEs is far from being an integral feature of Mauritian SMEs despite recent claims to be a cyber-island. Cost of communication and the lack of learning opportunities have been found as the major impediments in the adoption of ICTs. In turn this raises serious implications and challenges for the SMEs themselves and the Government in order to adapt to the requirements of globalisation.Small Island Economies, ICT, SME, Probit Analysis

SMEs and New Technologies: Learning E-Business and Development

Recent empirical evidence across countries shows a substantial and increasing return to IT investment. New technologies open up opportunities for small firms to expand their markets beyond national borders. This books looks specifically at ICT adoption and learning trajectories in developing countries; a context characterized by skill deficiencies and weak institutional support. The authors employ a systemic theoretical framework and a variety of research techniques to present firm-level evidence on learning in firms in an Internet-based production environment. The book arrives at a typology of firms on the basis of technological capability and learning trajectories. It identifies systemic and institutional factors that foster the adoption of technologies and goes on to analyse these factors in a multivariate econometric framework. This book is an invaluable addition to the literature on small firms and economic development

Growth of Employment and the Adoption of E-business

The paper investigates the impact of the adoption of e-business technologies on workforce displacement. A case study approach has been applied to examine both direct and indirect employment associated with the adoption and production of new technologies. The study covers a wide spectrum of large firms ranging from skill intensive sectors such as electronic goods manufacturing, to labour intensive sectors such as garment manufacturing. E-business technology producing firms were included in the study. The study did not find any evidence to support the argument that adoption of e-business technologies leads to a loss of jobs. The results do indicate, however, that the adoption of e-business technologies might result in the restructuring of business organizations. The study further reveals that the adoption of new technologies creates substantial employment in the form of new business activities, at the expense of a few jobs in existing business processes.e-business, employment, developing countries, large corporations

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Strategies in ICT SMEs in Enlarged Europe (EU25)

The paper investigates the innovation behavior off entrepreneurs in small and medium sized enterprises in the ICT sector of the European Union. In this study innovative strategies of entrepreneurs are mapped with growth and performance of their firms.Findings of the study are based on the data collected from 1238 small ICT firms located in 25 member states of European Union. The survey was conducted during October 2006 and March 2007. [EU-25]dynamic capabilities, continuous innovation, occasional innovation, competitiveness, human resources, internationalization, young entrepreneurs

Learning New Technologies by SMEs in Developing Countries

This paper, based on new field data, examines the ways in which small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in selected developing countries learn to use and augment their core capabilities with new technologies. This paper presents three findings. First, there is clear evidence of increasing complexity in the adoption and use of ICTs among developing country firms. Second, climbing the technological ladder requires skills upgrading through explicit learning of the new technologies. Third, firm performance is highly associated with learning capabilities, levels of technology, and a host of firm-level knowledge, skills and experience. The study found that across countries and sectors, non-formal learning is the dominant form of mastering new technologies. However, formal local and overseas training are positively associated with increasing technological complexity. There is also a close correlation between technical complexity of firms' internal ICT tools and available telecommunication infrastructure.Learning, new technologies, SMEs, developing countries, ICTs

The Internet Diffusion in Sub-Saharan Africa: A cross-country Analysis

In this paper, we employ the notions of digital inequality and digital divide to describe two levels of access to Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs). On the one hand there is the inequality of access to the cluster of technology measured by Internet use intensity and on the other are the confluence of skills and other resources that differentiate countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Using cross-country data, we test hypotheses developed from a review of the literature from which we draw preliminary conclusions on the nature and pattern of digital access in the region. The variables are analyzed through a simultaneous equation system because the high correlations ruled out the use of a single econometric model. The paper confirms the vital importance of telecommunications infrastructure - represented by the high correlation of telephone density - with Internet use, no matter the per capita income level of a countryInternet, technology diffussion, telecommunications, Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa

Internet diffusion in sub-Saharan Africa: A cross-country analysis

In this paper, the notions of digital inequality and digital divide have been employed to describe two levels of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) access. On the one hand is the inequality of access to the cluster of technology measured by Internet use and on the other are the confluence of skills and other resources that differentiate countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Using cross-country data, hypotheses are tested within a simultaneous equation system. The paper confirms the vital importance of telecommunications infrastructure represented by the high correlation of telephone density with Internet irrespective of per capita income level of the country.Internet diffusion Developing countries Economic wealth Tertiary education