PhD Theses

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Browsing PhD Theses by Author "Amos, Cuthbert Ed’Benny Msuya"

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    Modeling ICT adoption and use for SMEs competitiveness and growth: the case of Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2017) Amos, Cuthbert Ed’Benny Msuya
    The Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) sector in Tanzania is characterised by stagnant micro enterprises that have little incidence of growth. In addition, there is enough evidence to the effect that SMEs in Tanzania are not utilising ICTs to their advantage despite that fact that ICT adoption and use has become critical for any business survival and growth. Thus, this research focused at developing an ICT adoption model to aid Tanzania SMEs in the adoption process. Using multiple research design, methodological triangulation and survey data from a sample of 341 respondents, a parsimonious explanatory Structural Equation Model that identifies critical adoption factors, test for effectiveness of government policies as well as test the post adoption SMEs performance was developed and validated. Research resulted as follows: (i) Perceived benefits, customer pressures and marketing strategy are the critical determinant factors of ICT adoption in Tanzania SMEs; (ii) Government policies in the form of taxes and tariffs, support programs and support infrastructure do not help SMEs in ICT adoption situations; (iii) By 2014, adoption and use of ICTs in SMEs had grown from nonexistence in 2004 to 80.1% computer, 68.9% Internet access, 56.6% website, and 72.2% email; (iv) 47% of the SMEs were competitive due to ICT adoption and use. The developed model was able to account for 47.8% of ICT adoption and 16.5% of SMEs performance using 5 predictor variables only proving to be reliable and easy to use tool. Therefore, the model is recommended for use in Tanzania and other countries with similar social and economic conditions to Tanzania.