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Intra-Firm Diffusion of Innovation: Evidence from Tunisian SMEs Regarding Information and Communication Technologies

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  • Adel Ben Youssef
  • Walid Hadhri
  • Hatem M’Henni

Abstract

The aim of this paper is twofold: first, we want to explore the intra-firm diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICT) within Tunisian firms and to characterize its general trends regarding adoption and usage. Second, we want to emphasize the rank and epidemic effects highlighted by the disequilibrium models of intra-firm diffusion of innovation following the traditional view of Mansfield (1963a) and Antonelli (1985). Based on a face-to-face questionnaire of a random sample of 175 firms, our article shows that:(i) Three technological waves of ICT adoption are well characterized in the Tunisian manufacturing sector. This dynamic of adoption is linked to the age of the technologies. Time is the main explanatory variable for intra-firm diffusion of these technologies.(ii) A positive correlation between the size of the firm, seniority and the depth of adoption is found. This econometric estimation shows that the rank effect is well characterized within the Tunisian firms.(iii) A positive correlation between technological absorptive capacity building and intensity of ICT usage is found. This correlation confirms the epidemic effect.Our results show that disequilibrium model explanations of intra-firm diffusion of innovation are valid within the Tunisian manufacturing sector and seem more appropriate than the equilibrium theory for developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Adel Ben Youssef & Walid Hadhri & Hatem M’Henni, 2011. "Intra-Firm Diffusion of Innovation: Evidence from Tunisian SMEs Regarding Information and Communication Technologies," Middle East Development Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(1), pages 75-97, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rmdjxx:v:3:y:2011:i:1:p:75-97
    DOI: 10.1142/S1793812011000338
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    1. Basant, Rakesh & Commander, Simon & Harrison, Rupert & Menezes-Filho, Naercio, 2006. "ICT Adoption and Productivity in Developing Countries: New Firm Level Evidence from Brazil and India," IZA Discussion Papers 2294, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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    1. Julian Duran & Rubén Castillo, 2023. "Factors related to information and communication technologies adoption in small businesses in Colombia," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Anissa Chaibi & Adel Ben Youssef & Leila Peltier-Ben Aoun, 2015. "E-Skills, Brains And Performance Of The Firms: ICT And Ability Of Firms To Conduct Successful Projects In Luxembourg," Post-Print halshs-01068225, HAL.
    3. Adel Ben Youssef & Coetzee Bester & Aduba Chuka & Mounir Dahmani & Beverley Malan, 2014. "Building e-skills in Africa," Post-Print hal-03737364, HAL.
      • Ben Youssef, Adel & Bester, Coetzee & Chuka, Aduba & Dahmani, Mounir & Malan, Beverley, 2014. "Building e-skills in Africa," MPRA Paper 112240, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2014.

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