Identification of roles and factors influencing the adoption of ICTs in the SMEs of Pakistan by using an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)

Despite being the largest providers of business opportunities in Pakistan, there is a limited adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). This study aims to first investigate the various roles that ICTs can play in enhancing SME efficiency, by adopting and extending the Technology Acceptance Model, and then identifying several factors to achieve their adoption. Thematic analysis has revealed four key themes for qualitative research methodology: (1) The roles and benefits of ICTs, (2) Factors influencing the adoption of ICTs, (3) Entrepreneurial (Individual) characteristics of owner-managers, and (4) Role of governments and national (local) institutional support. Though study contributes that ICT plays an important role in the development of SMEs, with an extended model, role of entrepreneurial (individual) characteristics of owner-managers is the most important determinant in the adoption of ICTs by SMEs. In addition, factors such as cultural and social effects, government and national (local) institutional support functions also influence the decision of SMEs to adopt ICT. Therefore, the findings of this empirical study could have the potential to improve innovation, knowledge and understanding of entrepreneurial behaviour within SMEs to successfully adopt and use ICT in the future with the support of different stakeholders.