Title: Attitude of small and medium enterprises towards implementation and use of information technology in India - an empirical study

Authors: Rajeshwar S. Kadadevaramath; Jason C.H. Chen; Mohan Sangli

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumkur, Karnataka, India ' School of Business, Gonzaga University, E. 502 Boone Ave., Spokane, WA 99258 USA ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumkur, Karnataka, India

Abstract: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for major source of employment, technological advancements and competitive advantages for both developed and developing countries. Due to the limited resources available for SMEs, the process of IT adoption in this business sector is slower and different. The purpose of this paper is to identify the influencing factors while adopting IT, benefits of adopting IT and focusing on technology decision making process by reviewing IT adoption literature. Based on the responses to a survey, we measured the level of IT adopted by the SMEs, most effective IT tools used and attitude of SMEs towards adoption of IT. Using this information a generalised but progressive IT adoption framework and path has been recommended. Each SME can self-assess against the framework and decide the next steps that are relevant to it. This may serve as a broad guideline but is a good starting point for IT adoption.

Keywords: information technology; competitive advantage; adoption process; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; information systems; India; IT adoption; ICT adoption; technology decision making.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2015.069439

International Journal of Business and Systems Research, 2015 Vol.9 No.2, pp.123 - 137

Received: 02 Jul 2014
Accepted: 21 Sep 2014
Published online: 16 May 2015 *

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