Unique Challenges for Small Business Adoption of Information Technology: The Case of the Nova Scotia Ten

Abstract

The global nature of product and service markets, technology and competition has increased business requirements for flexibility, quality, cost-effectiveness and timeliness. As a key resource for meeting these requirements, information technology (IT) has been revolutionizing business practice. While there has been considerable research into the way in which large businesses use this technology, there has been far less attention paid to the adoption of information technology among small businesses. This is surprising considering that the innovative capacity of a nation’s economy to meet changing demands in the global economy has been linked to the flexibility and responsiveness of small businesses.