What are the barriers to information technology adoption in Moroccan SMEs? An empirical investigation using the structural equation modelling. (13th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chouki, Marieme; Khadrouf, Omar; Talea, Mohamed; Okar, Chafik
• Is Part Of: International journal of business innovation and research. Volume 29:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 66
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2022-09-13
• Subjects: information technology adoption -- ITA -- internal barriers -- small and medium enterprises -- SMEs -- external barriers -- structural equation modelling -- SEM; Management science -- Research -- Periodicals; Industrial management -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Industrial management -- Research -- Periodicals; 658.0072
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-0252

Abstract

This study aims to better understand information technology adoption and to assess barriers preventing information technology adoption (ITA) within small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. To do so, we have explored managers, users, resources, organisations' related barriers and external barriers, thus we tested our research model within the cases of Moroccan SMEs. The paper provides ITA barriers by combining views from the literature. We deployed a positivism paradigm using quantitative method. Survey was directed to collect data from 147 Moroccan SMEs having difficulties to successfully adopt their Information technologies (IT). Data analysis was performed on the basis of using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The collected results have shown that the significant barriers preventing and hampering ITA within Moroccan SMEs are user's characteristics. These findings explain the Moroccan societal culture that defines the employee/user's characteristics in SMEs.