Abstract
Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), have been regarded as one of the critical driving forces for economic growth and development in South Africa (SA). SMMEs are seen as potential enablers for creating jobs, poverty reduction, and socio-economic development in both developed and developing countries. However, there have been concerns about their failure rate and their inability to gain competitive advantage especially in the current era of rapid information and communication technologies (ICT) adoption. Many SMMEs’ competitive advantage has been wiped off by ICT’s and their overall economic impact has become obsolete. In South Africa, SMMEs operate in different environments such as cities and townships and are experiencing unique contextual challenges. This study focuses on SMMEs located in townships and investigates the factors that influence ICT adoption into their different business processes and value chains. Understanding factors influencing ICT adoption by township SMMEs is important given the fact that SMMEs can potentially positively contribute to socio-economic development especially in the context of South Africa where a larger sector of the economy is in the informal sector. The purpose of this research was to explore the factors affecting ICT adoption by township SMMEs. The research was mainly realised by conducting in-depth interviews with SMME owners/managers to gain a deeper understanding of what are the factors that influence them to adopt or not to adopt ICTs in the business processes of SMMEs.
D.Phil. (Information Technology Management)