Paul B. Cragg

Personal computing acceptance factors in small firms: a structural equation model

This study draws upon the technology acceptance model as the theoretical basis and empirical findings for a pragmatic explanation of key factors affecting personal computing acceptance in small firms. The study uses results from a survey of 358 users in small firms in New Zealand to test a structural model examining the hypothesized relationships among the following constructs: intraorganizational factors, extraorganizational factors, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and personal computing acceptance (i.e., system usage). The findings indicate that perceived ease of use is a dominant factor in explaining perceived usefulness and system usage, and that perceived usefulness has a strong effect on system usage. The results also indicate that exogenous variables influence both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, particularly management support and external support. Inconsistent with prior research in large firms, relatively little support was found for the influence of both internal support and internal training. Implications for the acceptance of personal computing and future research on personal computing acceptance in small firms are discussed.

A model of Internet adoption by SMEs

The study discussed in this paper used evidence from seven small firms to determine the significant factors that influenced their Internet adoption. Evidence from four firms was used to create a preliminary model of Internet adoption by SMEs. An additional three firms were then examined to refine the preliminary model. The study concluded that three factors significantly affect Internet adoption by small firms: perceived benefits, organisational readiness, and external pressure. The study identified both similarities and differences between Internet adoption and EDI adoption in small firms. The findings have important implications for managers and service providers.

IT alignment and firm performance in small manufacturing firms

The concept of IT alignment has been discussed in the literature, but almost always in the context of large firms. Similarly, attempts to measure alignment and relate it to performance have been made, but primarily based on work in larger firms. This study focused on measuring the alignment of business strategy and IT strategy (ITS) among small UK manufacturing firms and then investigated the link between alignment and performance. The method built on prior studies, developing approaches to alignment used with larger firms and integrating other concepts and measures from the small firm literature. Using a mail questionnaire, data from 250 firms was collected on nine strategy areas so that business and ITS responses could be compared. IT alignment was explored using both the matching and moderation approaches. The moderation approach appeared more effective in identifying IT alignment. The results indicated that a significant proportion of small firms had achieved high IT alignment. Furthermore, the group of small firms with high IT alignment had achieved better organisational performance than firms with low IT alignment. This is consistent with findings in large firms and opens up possibilities for further study of IT alignment in small firms.

IT alignment in small firms

This study focused on the alignment of business strategy and IT strategy among 256 small UK manufacturing firms. An instrument was developed and used to measure IT alignment in small firms. Evidence was gained of high IT alignment in some firms. The study also indicated that IT alignment was related to the firms level of IT maturity and the level of the CEOs software knowledge, but did not seem to be linked to the CEOs involvement or the firms sources of external IT expertise.

The evolution of information systems in small firms

This paper presents the findings of a longitudinal study over an eight year period of information system sophistication and evolution in eighteen small firms. The focus is on changes that have occurred with respect to hardware, end user computing, and computer utilization. The paper identifies three areas of concern for small firm computing: inadequate hardware and software, lack of internal technical expertise, and insufficient attention by management to IS. Implications for managers and directions for future research are discussed.

Benchmarking Information Technology Practices in Small Firms

Much attention has focused recently on benchmarking, a practice by which firms learn from other firms to help improve their own business processes. Numerous benchmarking tools exist for small firms and they typically cover a range of activities, including strategic leadership, quality, and performance. However, most pay no or little attention to IT. Thus, this study aimed to identify IT practices in small firms that could be included in benchmarking tools. The study commenced with a review of existing literature to identify major areas of IT management relevant to small firms. This literature guided multiple-case study research of four engineering firms to identify IT practices. A second phase of the study evaluated evidence from 30 small engineering firms with between 20 and 100 employees. Six practices differentiated IT leaders from IT laggards. Three practices reflected senior management involvement and the other three reflected technological capability.

Organizational information systems competences in small and medium-sized enterprises

We used resource-based theory and evidence from empirical studies to evolve a framework of IS competences in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The framework significantly improved our understanding of internal IS expertise in SMEs. We used relevant IS competence and SME literature, as well as empirical data from SME case studies. Our set of twenty two IS competences were organized around six macro competences. Each competence refers to a specific ability at the organizational rather than the individual level and they cover a broad range of activities, such as those associated with recognising business opportunities, IS planning, accessing IS knowledge, defining requirements, software and hardware sourcing, applications development, and managing relationships with IS suppliers. The framework was tested against prior literature, including studies of IS adoption, IS success, and entrepreneurial competence. Each competence was fully explained and discussed using evidence from the case studies. The framework creates a comprehensive set of IS competences that can be used in both SME practice and research.

Business Process Re-Engineering In The Small Firm: A Case Study

AbstractAlthough there is no universal methodology for business process reuengineering (BPR), a number of common components exist within the growing body of literature on BPR. However, that literature is based on experiences in larger firms and little has been written for the small firm attempting to gain similar radical gains in performance which have been attributed to successful BPR. This paper examines BPR steps and principles from a small firm perspective and relates these to one firm that had engaged in an extensive re-engineering project. There were many similarities between their approach and also some differences to the steps and principles stated to be necessary for large organizations. While case study findings cannot be generalised easily, the many similarities suggest that much of what is advocated in the BPR literature is applicable to small firms. The study indicates the need for further research on BPR in small firms, including the development of a methodology specifically for small busine...

The role of IT competences in gaining value from e-business: An SME case study:

Many SMEs have been slow to exploit the potential of e-business. However, it can be difficult for any firm to gain value from e-business, and particularly so for SMEs that may lack important information technology (IT) competences. The study focused on one SME which had undertaken a series of e-business initiatives over a period of 10 years. The analysis revealed that the firm used e-business in two different ways: e-business for innovation, and e-business for integrating business processes. Four IT competences were found to be particularly important to the firm’s developments: IT leadership, business systems thinking, architecture planning, and making technology work. The study provides a detailed understanding of how the firm used e-business to gain value and how its IT competences influenced its e-business developments. The study also shows that a lack of competence in some areas inhibited the firm’s e-business developments.

Measuring strategic alignment in small firms

Despite general acceptance of the benefit of aligning IS strategy with organisation strategy, few attempts have been made to define and quantify this alignment relationship. Furthermore, past attempts have largely neglected the specific considerations of small firms. Charts (1992) instruments were adapted for use in small firms and rigorously tested using eight case firms, from four different industries. The resulting instrument is a significant step towards providing a method for the measurement of strategic alignment. It may prove useful in IS planning by managers and consultants, and by researchers studying the impact of information systems on the performance of small firms.