ABSTRACT
Introduction This research aims to investigate the underutilization of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) and the problems relating to their adoption by the actors concerned. Two particularly pertinent points have been highlighted in the economics, sociological and managerial literatures (see, for example, Bergeron and Raymond, 1996; Baile, 1995; Vallès and Carrasco, 1997; Gadille and D’Iribarne, 2000; Benghozi et al., 2000; Jouet, 2000): first, the extremely diverse forms of introduction – although this is not a recent phenomenon – and, second, that the powerful tools offered by these technologies tend to be underutilized as they have only ‘local’ applications. It is a challenge for both researchers and the public bodies involved to try to understand the diversity of situations and the apparently paradoxical position regarding ICTs from an economics perspective. The former, in their effort to understand the organizations, tend to seek out meaningful variables – be they strategic, organizational or environmental – which are linked to adoption and usage. The latter – because of the regional visibility of these firms as actors, investors and employers – are obliged to consider the nature of the barriers and/or incentives for adoption by SMEs to assist in their role of encouraging such firms to integrate ICTs into their businesses. A multidisciplinary team of six researchers carried out this research investigating the usage of ICTs by SMEs between December 1999 and December 2000. The project used a qualitative methodology to analyse 21 SMEs. The firms within the sample had a degree of similarity but were not homogeneous in all respects. Their common traits were small size (on average 30 people), financial independence, a movement from thinking about adoption to the actual use of ICTs and that they were all located in two French departments – the Tarn and the Haute Garonne – for practical purposes.1 However, the firms did not belong to the same sector of activity. Five sectors were represented: agri-food production, clothing and accessories, construction, computers and telecommunications, and medical equipment with different levels of ICT installation and integration. Forty-two interviews were carried out with top managers and those in charge of computer services. Where possible, the hierarchical structure of the business was taken into
account. Three interview guides, chosen according to the position of the respondent, were used to collect data (see Appendix). The first focussed on getting general information about the business and its operation; the second dealt with the installation of ICTs (such as who buys, decides, trains, and maintains) and the consequences of introducing ICTs; and the last concerned the use of ICTs (roles and functions). Analysis of the data provided themes which were examined by the various researchers within the multidisciplinary team according to their personal competence; each person constructed different interpretation grids around a common topic.
