An empirical study of Internet-based ICT adoption among SMEs in southern Malaysia

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" An empirical study of Internet-based ICT adoption among SMEs in southern Malaysia "
Khong Sin Tan U. C. O. Eze, Puay Tee

Document Type	:	Latin Dissertation
Language of Document	:	English
Record Number	:	55065
Doc. No	:	TL25019
Call number	:	‭3498180‬
Main Entry	:	Khong Sin Tan
Title & Author	:	An empirical study of Internet-based ICT adoption among SMEs in southern Malaysia\ Khong Sin Tan
College	:	Multimedia University (Malaysia)
Date	:	2009
Degree	:	Ph.D.
student score	:	2009
Page No	:	248
Abstract	:	Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are a key economic sector in Malaysia. Malaysian government has actively promoted the development and growth initiatives such as ICT implementation to advance SMEs' overall economic agenda over the past decades. In 2005, there were 99.2 per cent or 518,996 SMEs in the country. They contributed to 65.1 per cent of employment and 47.3 per cent of labour productivity. Due to the importance of SMEs, Malaysian government formed National SME Development Council (NSDC) in 2004 to oversee the development of SMEs in the country. On the other hand, in order to leverage the power of ICT particularly the Internet, Malaysian government formed National Information Technology Council (NITC) in 1994 to assist Malaysian companies to adopt ICT. Realising the prominence of SMEs as a main contributor to the country's GDP and employment as well as the ICT as an enabler to leapfrog Malaysia to achieve Vision 2020, this thesis, therefore, examines the factors and adoption patterns of Internet-based Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) among SMEs in Malaysia. Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DIT), and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) underpin the conceptual framework in this empirical research study. This research study used questionnaire-based survey to collect data from 406 managers/owners of SMEs in the southern region of Malaysia, Melaka and Johor. Findings indicate that majority of Malaysian SMEs are using Internet-based ICT for e-mailing and surfing purposes. Multiple linear regression analyses reveal that relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, observability and security are significant ICT factors that influence Internet-based ICT adoption. The seven ICT factors in the study explain 76.1 per cent of that variance in ICT adoption. Moderated multiple linear regression analyses disclose that industry type, annual sales turnover and Internet experience influence the strength relationship between some ICT factors and ICT adoption. Composite ICT benefits and barriers explain 27.6 per cent of the variation in ICT adoption. This research study ends with discussion and interpretation of the research findings and provides key implications to SMEs and Malaysian government.
Subject	:	Communication and the arts; Applied sciences; Computer network; ICT; Information and communication technologies; Information technology; Internet; Malaysia; Small and medium-sized enterprises; Telecommunication; Multimedia Communications; 0489:Information Technology; 0558:Multimedia Communications
Added Entry	:	U. C. O. Eze, Puay Tee
Added Entry	:	Multimedia University (Malaysia)