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What drives ICT adoption by SMEs? Evidence from a large-scale survey in Greece

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  • Giotopoulos, Ioannis
  • Kontolaimou, Alexandra
  • Korra, Efthymia
  • Tsakanikas, Aggelos

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to identify potential determinants of ICT adoption in SMEs. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of firms' technological competencies, human capital of workforce and internal organization in ICT adoption measured by five indicators referring to firms' intentions toward ICT implementation, ICT infrastructure, internet integration, e-sales and e-procurement. To this end, a particularly rich dataset is utilized based on a large-scale survey on 3500 Greek SMEs. Estimations of ordered probit models show that innovation and R&D activities and collaborations, well-educated and skilled workers, decentralized decision-making and visionary leadership increase the likelihood of adopting new technologies in SMEs. The results appear to be largely robust across different ICT adoption measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Giotopoulos, Ioannis & Kontolaimou, Alexandra & Korra, Efthymia & Tsakanikas, Aggelos, 2017. "What drives ICT adoption by SMEs? Evidence from a large-scale survey in Greece," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 60-69.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:81:y:2017:i:c:p:60-69
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2017.08.007
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    ICT adoption; SMEs; Technological competencies; Human capital; Internal organization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L21 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Business Objectives of the Firm
    • M15 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - IT Management
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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