Information communication technology adoption by small-to-medium food enterprises

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to present ex-post and ex-ante analysis of the outcomes of ICT adoption in six food processing SMEs based on needs analyses conducted through business diagnostics. Design/methodology/approach - Six food processing SMEs were selected and subsidized to introduce ICT on condition that the SMEs agree to conduct business diagnostics to identify ICT needs, adopt ICT capabilities recommended, agree to outcomes being monitored and the findings being published. Findings - Two amongst the six rigorously selected SMEs did not complete the project citing resource constraints, reveals constraints experienced by SMEs in adopting "new" technology. Four SMEs that completed the project achieved increased operating efficiency or business growth, demonstrating the benefits of ICT adoption. The study concludes that rigorous business analysis is an important precursor to ICT adoption initiatives and SME resource constraints in such initiatives can be successfully overcome through enterprise-government-university partnerships. Research limitations/implications - A longitudinal study, a larger sample size and quantitative data gathering would embellish the findings. Practical implications ICT adoption is a cost-efficient strategy to facilitate business growth and profitability in SMEs. Because many SMEs may not have appropriate technical and managerial capabilities, enterprise-government-university partnerships are a useful model to undertake such initiatives. Knowledge and methodology from this study could inform public policy action to encourage "new" technology adoption by SMEs. Originality/value - The paper presents a project completed through intervention methodology (selectively recruiting SMEs, diagnosing business and strategic intents, identifying ICT capabilities needs, assisting SMEs adopt customized ICT capabilities) and tracking the outcomes