Analysis of Information Technology Success in Small Firms in New Zealand

• Published in: International journal of information management 1998-04, Vol.18 (2), p.103-119
• Main Authors: IGBARIA, M, ZINATELLI, N, CAVAYE, ALM
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applications (e.g. Digitizing,...); Business management; Computer applications; End users; Exact sciences and technology; Information and communication sciences; Information and communication technologies; Information science. Documentation; Information technologies: storage media, equipment; Information technology; New Zealand; Sciences and techniques of general use; Small business; Small firms; Studies; Success; Use statistics
• ISSN: 0268-4012; 1873-4707
• DOI: 10.1016/S0268-4012(97)00053-4

This paper identifies computer usage patterns and investigates the relationships between these patterns and individual and organizational factors in small firms in New Zealand. The firms reported using mainly customized software packages for data storage and retrieval as well as for report generation. Male respondents used computers more heavily than females. The main findings are (1) computer usage patterns vary by functional areas, gender, and organizational level; (2) system usage is positively correlated with computer experience, self-training, external computer support, perceived ease of use, intrinsic rewards, and perceived usefulness; (3) user satisfaction is mainly correlated with management support, internal and external computer support, perceived ease of use, perceived intrinsic rewards, and perceived usefulness; and (4) education and external training are positively correlated with number of applications and tasks. The results suggest that intra- and extra-organizational factors that may hinder full computing assimilation should be addressed in an effort to enhance the chances of user computing success.