Is it all about size? Comparing organisational and environmental antecedents of IT assimilation in small and medium-sized enterprises
by Paolo Neirotti; Emilio Paolucci; Elisabetta Raguseo
International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM), Vol. 61, No. 1, 2013

Abstract: Although small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adopt different organisational models and strategy types, previous research has studied information technology (IT) adoption dynamics in these two firm types in a similar manner. This paper investigates how the influence of organisational and environmental preconditions on IT adoption varies in SMEs. Survey data from a sample of 316 Italian SMEs are used for this purpose. The study shows that industry growth and turbulence have distinct influences on the pace with which these firms develop or improve their organisational capabilities through IT use, depending on the SME's size. In particular, medium firms are more likely to use IT to improve their product development capabilities and to scale up their business under periods of turbulence and considerable industry growth. On the other hand, small firms may benefit from pressures by strategic customers demanding more supply chain integration, which results in positive consequences for their ability to use IT to improve their product development processes.

Online publication date: Sat, 06-Apr-2013

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com