Information technology adoption by small and medium enterprises: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Information technology (IT) has impacted firms in different industries. IT adoption is just as impactful for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Despite the number of studies investigating outcomes and IT adoption, there is a lack of consensus regarding the most relevant factors associated with IT adoption by SMEs (e.g. drivers and IT adoption). The study investigates the main antecedents, outcomes, and moderators of IT adoption by SMEs. A meta-analysis was conducted, integrating the findings from 59 studies. Data were analyzed by integrating meta-analysis and regression approach (MASEM). The results showed that the dimensions of TAM (usefulness and ease of use) and perceived compatibility have the strongest correlations among the nine antecedents. The findings indicated that resources and market turbulence were the main predictors of IT adoption in SMEs when testing only the direct relationships (MASEM). IT adoption significantly impacted outcomes, and SMEs from countries with low uncertainty avoidance presented stronger effects of IT adoption on firm outcomes. This research contributes to the literature by (i) addressing prior studies’ conflicts about antecedents and outcomes of SMEs IT adoption, (ii) integrating different theoretical approaches, and (iii) generating insights for managers and public policy institutions responsible for the survival and development of SMEs.