Title:
An Empirical Study of Internet-Based ICT Adoption Among
Malaysian SMEs
Abstract: Small and Medium
Enterprises (SMEs) are key economic sector in Malaysia and the
Malaysian government have over the past decades promoted development
and growth initiatives such as ICT implementation to advance their
overall economic agenda. This paper, therefore, examines the factors
and adoption patterns of Internet-based Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) among SMEs in Malaysia. The Diffusion of Innovation
underpins the conceptual framework in this paper. Questionnaire-based
survey was used to collect data from 406 managers/owners of SMEs in the
southern region of Malaysia. Data analysis indicates that
Internet-based ICTs adoption among SMEs provides new business
opportunities and access to market information and knowledge. Security
and high ICT cost continues to be barriers to Internet-based ICTs
adoption. Inferential analyses reveal that relative advantage,
compatibility, complexity, observability and security are significant
factors that influence Internet-based ICT adoption. The findings are
discussed and interpreted to provide important implications to
SMEs and Malaysian government.
Authors: Khong Sin Tan and Uchenna Cyril Eze