SMEs and New Technologies Learning E-Business and Development

by Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Banji; Lal, Kaushalesh

• ISBN13: 9780230002012
• ISBN10: 0230002013
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-10-31
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

This book employs a systemic theoretical framework and a variety of research techniques to present firm-level evidence on learning in firms in an Internet-based production environment, making it an invaluable addition to the literature on small firms and economic development.

Author Biography

BANJI OYELARAN-OYEYINKA is currently Professor and Senior Researcher at the United Nations University-Institute for New Technologies (UNU-INTECH), The Netherlands. Up until early 2001, he was Senior Economic Affairs Officer with the UNCTAD, Geneva, Switzerland. He has published widely in international journals and his most recent book is Learning to Compete in African Industry (Ashgate Publishing, 2006).

KAUSHALESH LAL earned his PhD degree from Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands. He is currently a Researcher at the UNU-INTECH, The Netherlands. He has authored a book on the causes and consequences of the adoption of ICTs, and has published several articles in international journals.

Table of Contents

List of Tables	xi
List of Figures	xiv
Acknowledgements	xv
1 New Technologies and Economic Development	1	(22)
1.1 Introduction	1	(2)
1.2 Determinants of new technologies adoption	3	(3)
1.3 Learning, knowledge and innovation in development	6	(2)
1.4 Knowledge, skills and new technologies	8	(2)
1.5 The role of infrastructure in adopting new technologies	10	(5)
1.6 The internet and the adoption of e-business technologies	15	(1)
1.7 Growth, employment and the adoption of e-business	16	(3)
1.8 Outline of the chapters	19	(4)
2 Methodological Framework for Studying SME Clusters	23	(13)
2.1 Methodology	23	(2)
2.2 Study sample and sampling	25	(1)
2.3 Origin and characteristics of the Indian clusters	25	(5)
2.3.1 Sample size	26	(1)
2.3.2 Product profile of firms	27	(3)
2.4 Origin and characteristics of the Nigerian clusters	30	(3)
2.4.1 Study area	30	(1)
2.4.2 Study design	31	(2)
2.5 Origin and characteristics of the Ugandan clusters	33	(3)
2.5.1 Data sources	34	(1)
2.5.2 Basic descriptive	34	(2)
3 Adoption of E-business and Industry-Specific Factors	36	(35)
3.1 Indian firms	37	(13)
3.2 Ugandan firms	50	(11)
3.3 Nigerian firms	61	(5)
3.4 Comparative analysis	66	(3)
3.5 Summary and conclusion	69	(2)
4 Determinants of E-Business Adoption	71	(22)
4.1 Introduction	71	(1)
4.2 Data and sample survey	71	(1)
4.3 Methodology and framework	72	(3)
4.4 Hypotheses	75	(6)
4.4.1 Education of managing director	75	(1)
4.4.2 Skill intensity	75	(1)
4.4.3 Value added	76	(1)
4.4.4 Size of firm	77	(1)
4.4.5 Export intensity	77	(1)
4.4.6 Profitability	78	(1)
4.4.7 Learning opportunity variables	78	(1)
4.4.7.1 Formal training	78	(1)
4.4.7.2 Learning by doing	79	(1)
4.4.8 Sources of competitiveness	79	(2)
4.4.8.1 R&D activities	80	(1)
4.4.8.2 Brand name	80	(1)
4.4.8.3 Technological collaboration with foreign firms	80	(1)
4.5 Statistical results	81	(10)
4.5.1 Indian firms	81	(5)
4.5.2 Ugandan firms	86	(2)
4.5.3 Nigerian firms	88	(2)
4.5.4 Comparative analysis	90	(1)
4.6 Summary	91	(2)
5 Learning New Technologies by SMEs: Mechanisms and Trajectories	93	(20)
5.1 Introduction	93	(2)
5.2 Theoretical framework	95	(2)
5.3 Data sources and hypotheses	97	(2)
5.4 Statistical results	99	(10)
5.5 Summary	109	(2)
Appendix A Learning processes and types of e-business technologies	111	(2)
6 Institutional Infrastructure Supporting E-Business Adoption	113	(23)
6.1. Introduction	113	(1)
6.2 Data Sources and Measurement Issues	114	(1)
6.3 Hypotheses and Analytical Framework	115	(4)
6.3.1 Hypotheses	115	(2)
6.3.1.1 Technological Infrastructure	115	(1)
6.3.1.2 Physical Infrastructure	116	(1)
6.3.1.3 Human Resources	117	(1)
6.3.2 Analytical Framework	117	(2)
6.4 Statistical Analysis	119	(13)
6.5 Summary	132	(2)
Appendix A Economic wealth and other determinants of the Internet use in SSA (2000)	134	(2)
7 Collective Action, Competitiveness and E-Business Technologies	136	(25)
7.1 Introduction	136	(1)
7.2 Analytical framework and methodology	137	(3)
7.3 Perception of managing directors	140	(3)
7.4 Hypotheses	143	(8)
7.4.1 Driving forces	143	(3)
7.4.1.1 Management control	144	(1)
7.4.1.2 Production cost	144	(1)
7.4.1.3 Augmentation of size of operation	145	(1)
7.4.1.4 Competitive environment	145	(1)
7.4.1.5 Efficiency in production	146	(1)
7.4.2 Collective action indicators	146	(1)
7.4.2.1 Learning and training opportunities in clusters	146	(1)
7.4.3 Sources of competitiveness	147	(15)
7.4.3.1 Size of operation	147	(1)
7.4.3.2 Technological collaboration	147	(1)
7.4.3.3 Flexibility in product design	148	(1)
7.4.3.4 Overhead costs	148	(1)
7.4.3.5 Wages	149	(1)
7.4.3.6 Innovativeness	149	(1)
7.4.3.7 Product quality	150	(1)
7.4.3.8 Delivery schedule	150	(1)
7.4.3.9 Market network	151	(1)
7.5 Statistical Analysis	151	(6)
7.6 Summary	157	(4)
8 Growth of Employment and the Adoption of E-Business	161	(14)
8.1 Introduction	161	(1)
8.2 Background of sample firms and their technological profiles.	162	(9)
8.2.1 Case studies	162	(9)
8.2.1.1 Technology producers	162	(1)
8.2.1.1.1 Wipro	164	(1)
8.2.1.1.2 Infosys	165	(1)
8.2.1.1.3 Satyam Infoway	165	(1)
8.2.1.2 Technology-using firms	166	(1)
8.2.1.2.1 Videocon	166	(1)
8.2.1.2.2 BPL	167	(1)
8.2.1.2.3 Orient Craft	168	(1)
8.2.1.2.4 Gokaldas Images	169	(1)
8.2.1.2.5 Sonal Garments	170	(1)
8.3 Adoption of e-business technologies and their consequences	171	(1)
8.3.1 Producers	171	(1)
8.3.2 Consumers	171	(8)
8.3.2.1 Performance	171	(1)
8.3.2.2 Employmen	172	(1)
8.4 Summary	172	(2)
Appendix A Product and e-business technology profile of firms	174	(1)
9 New Technologies and Export Performance of SMEs	175	(15)
9.1 Introduction	175	(1)
9.2 Analytical framework	176	(2)
9.3 Data and methodology	178	(1)
9.4 Hypotheses	179	(6)
9.4.1 Intensity of e-business technologies	179	(1)
9.4.2 Firm size	180	(2)
9.4.3 SKILL	182	(1)
9.4.4 Labour productivity	183	(1)
9.4.5 Profit margins	184	(1)
9.5 Statistical results	185	(3)
9.6 Summary	188	(2)
10 Conclusions	190	(10)
10.1 Sector and size structure	190	(1)
10.2 External and internal e-business technologies	191	(1)
10.3 Learning and skills effect of e-business adoption	192	(2)
10.4 Technological and physical infrastructure	194	(1)
10.5 Collective services and competitiveness	195	(2)
10.6 Employment and e-business adoption	197	(1)
10.7 E-business and export performance	198	(2)
Notes	200	(2)
References	202	(9)
Index	211