IT adoption strategies: best practice guidelines for professional SMEs

Abstract

This paper discusses information technology (IT) assessment and adoption in small firms. More specifically, it evaluates different approaches to IT assessment and adoption undertaken in professional SMEs, focusing on four professions: architecture; dentistry; law; and veterinary science. Adoption variables examined include: IT planning; choice of IT implementation strategy; the employment of external support; and investment in IT training. The study draws on survey data from over 260 firms in order to evaluate which approaches to IT assessment and adoption add most value in terms of the impact of IT upon the organisation. The research also identifies barriers to effective IT assessment and acquisition, and how these might be overcome.