In Africa the adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) varies considerably from one country to another, for example between Kenya and Tanzania on the one hand and Ethiopia on the other. In Kenya and Tanzania telecommunications systems have been liberalized, while in Ethiopia all ICT infrastructures and services are provided by one single telecommunications operator – one th...

This paper discussed the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in pharmaceutical product marketing in Nigeria. Data for the study was obtained from 76 pharmaceutical firms in southwest Nigeria which comprised of about 95% of the pharmaceutical companies that were into manufacturing of drugs in Nigeria. The categories of firms surveyed include retail pharmacy, combination...

This chapter addresses the question: Can a holistic model of ICT adoption and diffusion improve ICT policy formulation? This question is answered by illustrating that in a globalised economy the existing models of ICT adoption are inadequate in explaining the process of adoption and diffusion, and that a human-environmental model can address this gap by explaining the duality of this process. T...

This paper explores the potential of adoption and use of ICT in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Macedonia. In the paper we present preliminary results of a survey of around 60 SMEs. The purpose of the study is to explore the factors enabling or impeding the successful adoption and use of ICT by SMEs. The study investigates the types of ICT adoption and applications, the overall mot...

The present study explores the relationship between the e-business maturity and the perceived benefits from (Information and Communication Technologies) ICT at the firm level. We aim to debunk this relationship in terms of its strength and stability, and to explore the conditions which may influence it. Taking an economic approach, we hypothesise that the relation between e-business maturity an...

AbSTrACT A number of studies both within medical practices as well as the wider small business sector suggest that gender plays a role in both decision-making and the running of the business. Yet despite these apparent differences, the role of gender in the adoption of ICT in medical practices has remained largely ignored. This paper presents a study of 196 GPs (128 males, 68 females) who have ...

This paper studies the impact of the adoption of ICT on the economic performance at the firm level, considering explicitly the interaction of adopting firms within the intermediate input market in Germany. The paper identifies and quantifies the importance of adoption externalities and knowledge spillovers inherent in the introduction of ICT. The results show that the adoption of ICT at the fir...

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are an important component of the economy of a country. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) offers tremendous opportunities for the growth and development of SMEs. A number of researchers have tried to explore and investigate issues related to the adoption of ICT. This paper reviews the studies that emphasize the need to adopt ICT in SMEs, benefits...

This paper presents the results of an exploratory study carried out to learn about the use and impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Oman. The study investigates ICT infrastructure, software used, driver for ICT investment, perceptions about business benefits of ICT and outsourcing trends of SMEs. The study provides an insight...

One of the primary challenges for the tourism sector is to communicate with potential customers in a manner that is readily accessible to them. Tourism enterprises must ensure that the tourism product is presented and promoted in the most effective and efficient manner possible. Information and communication technology (ICT) applications play a critical role in overcoming this challenge. The li...