INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY OF SMEs IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract
This study examined the effect of information and communication technology on business process management in the SMEs sub-sector in Benue State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study was to ascertain the influence of computer appliances, social media tools, internet service (including e-mails), electronic and commerce influence business process management in the SMEs sub-sector in Benue State. A survey research design was used for this study and data were collected with the use of well-structured five-point Likert scale questionnaire. The population of the study was 983 owners/managers of SMEs in four chosen local government areas and a sample size of 285 was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula. Cronbach Alpha was used to test the reliability of the instruments. The data collected were coded and analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as tables, frequency and simple percentages while the hypotheses were analyzed using multiple regression with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20). The results of the study indicate that computer appliances, internet service, and e-commerce have significant effect on business process management in the SMEs subsector (p<0.05), while social media tools have an insignificant effect on business process management in the SMEs sub-sector in the State (p> 0.05). The study concludes that information and communication technology has significant effect on business process management in the SMEs sub-sector in Benue State, Nigeria. The study therefore recommends, among others that stakeholders in the SMEs subsector that are yet to adopt ICT tools in their company operations should try and do so because of the tremendous benefits that come with such technologies. It also recommends that ICT sensitization programmes and training should continuously be provided to owners/managers of SMEs to equip them with necessary skills and competencies that are instrumental in the operational efficiency of their business processes.
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