Browsing by Author "Jonathan, Noela"

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    Role of ICTs for the performance of SMES in Tanzania: a survey of enterprises in Dar es Salaam city.
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2004) Jonathan, Noela
    This study has attempted to assess the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) on productivity of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Tanzania. A modified Cobb-Douglas model was estimated to explore empirically the impact of these ICTs on total productivity. Questionnaires were used to collect data and information from SMEs. Data set from East Africa SMEs Survey was also used. Both descriptive information from questionnaires, and regression analysis results show that the existence of the relationship between ICTs and productivity was found and is positive, though the relationship was generally observed to be weak. Particularly, there was a weak relationship between dependent variable (productivity) and total investment in computer, fixed phone, and fax machines. This study recommends that, in order to increase access to useful information, ICTs intermediaries could play a key role, as they are able to add value to the information they provide. This role could also be played by non profit organizations, business organizations, SMEs associations' e.t.c, as they are aware of the information needs of small enterprises and can at the same time help to form and increase networks that will increase access to information about best practices of operation, market prices at different locations, sources of supply of inputs e.t.c. In addition to the time saving of enterprises, this publicly accessible information could increase transparency and therefore also reduce other business obstacles.