Title: Disruptive technology adoption dynamics by United Arab Emirates small-to-medium enterprises

Authors: Welcome Sibanda; Abderazak Bakhouche; Mercy Chaita; Mounir Kehal

Addresses: Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Men's College, Box 15825, Dubai, UAE ' Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Men's College, Box 15825, Dubai, UAE ' Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Men's College, Box 15825, Dubai, UAE ' Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Men's College, Box 15825, Dubai, UAE

Abstract: This paper investigates the determinants of disruptive digital technology adoption by SMEs the UAE. Despite evident benefits, little is known from a high-income transition economy perspective. The paper exploits this gap with a survey questionnaire administered on a sample of 500 state registered SMEs, whose data is examined via factor analysis and a regression model. The results indicate that the key determinants of disruptive dig-tech adoption are ownership structure, size, education, industrial and gender. Concentrated shareholding, small size, male-gender and family ownership exert a negative impact on disruptive dig-tech adoption. SMEs controlled by the young and educated are early and significant adopters of dig-tech. The sample is small which may limit the generalisability of the results. Expanding the sample may generate a wider diversity of industrial sectors and yield meaningful insights. The results offer all stakeholders insights into disruptive dig-tech adoption, especially where digitisation drives government policy.

Keywords: disruptive technology; adoption determinants; small and medium-sized enterprises; barriers; innovation processes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBPM.2020.110829

International Journal of Business Performance Management, 2020 Vol.21 No.4, pp.477 - 503

Received: 11 Sep 2019
Accepted: 14 Jun 2020
Published online: 29 Oct 2020 *

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