Informal interactive bring your own device strategising practices of South African small and medium enterprises

The purpose of this study is two-fold: firstly, to identify factors affecting BYOD adoption in South African SMEs and secondly understand strategies SMEs engage in with regard to BYOD. Following an interpretive approach, and interviews as a means of data collection; the findings show that SMEs are consciously aware of BYOD but are not eager to formalise their strategy. Instead, SMEs engage in informal interactive strategising despite their concerns of cost, security and privacy. SMEs did not view BYOD as a cost saving approach but rather as a double end sword that brought privacy and security concerns; unintended consequence; and no improvement in productivity. Further findings show how SMEs, specifically employees advocated the need for a policy prescribing how mobile devices should be used and in so doing perpetuating the interactive strategising. External factors such as changing laws and regulation were perceived as barriers towards a formalised BYOD strategy.