Analysis of factors that influence the ICT adoption by SMEs in Colombia

Purpose: The objective of this article is to analyze the factors that influence the adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by SMEs in Colombia. Design/methodology: To prove empirically these hypotheses, we administered a questionnaire to a sample of 474 SMEs in Colombia regardi...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Osorio-Gallego, Carlos, Londoño-Metaute, John, López-Zapata, Esteban
Tipo de documento: artigo
Data de publicação:2016
País:España
Recursos:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositório:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglês
espanhol
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/87887
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/87887
Access Level:Acceso aberto
Palavra-chave:Small business -- Colombia -- Technological innovations
Technological adoption
Diffusion of innovation
ICT
SMEs
Colombia
Adopción tecnológica
Difusión de innovación
TIC
Pymes
Empreses petites i mitjanes -- Colòmbia -- Innovacions tecnològiques
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Economia i organització d'empreses::Competitivitat i innovació
Descrição
Resumo:Purpose: The objective of this article is to analyze the factors that influence the adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by SMEs in Colombia. Design/methodology: To prove empirically these hypotheses, we administered a questionnaire to a sample of 474 SMEs in Colombia regarding the adoption of ICT and independent variables identified in the literature. Then, we conducted a series of multiple regression models using the data we obtained. Findings: We developed a model that identifies a positive relation between new business opportunities that ICT offer and their adoption level. Likewise, this research identified that a lack of confidence in ICT's security and privacy, a perception of ICT cost-benefit unbalance have a negative impact on the implementation of these technologies. Research limitations/implications: This study has limitations that are inherent to cross-sectional research. These restrict the possibility of conducting dynamic analysis between independent and dependent variables. Likewise, the generalization of results is circumscribed to a geographical context and the type of enterprises surveyed. Practical implications: The results of this research provide valuable contributions to decision-making by SMEs' directors and to public policies that foster the implementation of ICT in SMEs based on an analysis of benefits and barriers found in this study. Originality/value: In view of a lack of empirical work that analyzes the implementation of technology in enterprises in emerging countries, this study provides a valuable contribution to the creation of knowledge when attempting to explain the implementation of ICT using a representative sample of SMEs in Colombia identifying the quantitative form of the impact of the benefits and barriers of these technologies.