Internet Adoption by Small Firms

Abstract

Research shows that small firms make significant contributions to their economic environment. With the significant advances being made in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), the Internet has become very important to many small firms, enabling them to overcome various inadequacies attributed to factors such as firm size, availability of resources and other technological, operational and managerial shortfalls. Despite the contributions that the adoption of Internet technology can make to the well being of such firms, research shows that many small firms have not yet embraced the technology in ways that will allow them to capitalise on potential benefits. It is therefore important for firms and researchers to understand the factors that enable (or hinder) the adoption of various technologies.