The use of ICTs in Namibia's SME sector to access business information services
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470810864055 |
| Date | 11 April 2008 |
| Pages | 145-157 |
| Published date | 11 April 2008 |
| Author | Elisha Rufaro T. Chiware,Archie L. Dick |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
The use of ICTs in Namibia’s SME
sector to access business
information services
Elisha Rufaro T. Chiware
Department of Information and Communication Studies,
University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia, and
Archie L. Dick
Department of Information Science, University of Pretoria,
Pretoria, South Africa
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to present current state of the use of information and
communication technologies (ICTs) in Namibia’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector to
access business information services.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a doctoral research project on business
information needs, seeking patterns and utilisation of ICTs in the SME sector in Namibia that was
carried out at the University of Pretoria from 2005 to 2007. The survey methodology using both
qualitative and quantitative approaches was employed to collect data.
Findings – The findings revealed that there is a very low level of ICTs utilization among SMEs while
among business support organisations it is relatively high.
Practical implications – The study presents baseline data that can be used by governments and
business support organisations in the provision of ICTs to the SME sector to access business
information services.
Originality/value – The study provides data on which future developments in ICTs in the SME
sector could be based.
Keywords Small to medium-sizedenterprises, Information services, Communicationtechnologies,
Namibia, Internet
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector has an important role to play in
developing economies not only in economic development, but also in poverty
alleviation and job creation. The sector faces a number of constraints especially in
accessing finance, markets, training and technology. Access to business information
services has been identified as one area that needs attention from governments and
business services providers if the SME sector in developing countries is to achieve
sustainable levels of growth and development. Many firms in Africa operate in an
information-poor environment due to lack of adequate business support services and
the poor information technological infrastructures (Oshikoya and Hussain, 2007).
Access to information has however been not given the same attention as other
constraints to growth of SMEs like access to finance, markets, technology or training.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm
The use of ICTs
in Namibia’s
SME sector
145
Received 18 April 2007
Revised 9 May 2007
Accepted 11 May 2007
The Electronic Library
Vol. 26 No. 2, 2008
pp. 145-157
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/02640470810864055
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