Evaluating the success of ICT in SMEs in developing countries

In recent years, there is a growing propensity in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries to invest in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expecting positive gains to their organizations. Although much research has been conducted on the benefits of ICT on both large and small organizations mainly in developed countries, there is a dearth of research on the benefits of ICT for SMEs in developing countries. SMEs in developing countries purportedly have substantially different characteristics, needs and resources compared to organizations of all size in developed countries. This research aims to develop a preliminary benefits measurement model for ICT in SMEs in developing countries. The preliminary framework, which reflects the characteristics of SMEs and developing countries, is derived using content analysis of 20 case studies from developing contexts including Lebanon and Turkey. Three hundred and forty identified benefits were then synthesized into sixty-four non-overlapping dimensions connected to five key areas of individual impact, organizational impact, system quality, information quality and vendor quality. This research contributes a vital IS-Impact measurement model for use in developing countries.