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Investments in ICT-capital and economic performance of small and medium scale enterprises in East Africa

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  • Shyamal K. Chowdhury

    (International Food Policy Research (IFPRI) and Susanna Wolf Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

Abstract

In this paper, we focused on whether investments in ICTs could cause any increases in a firm's performance. We constructed a data set for two East African countries-Kenya and Tanzania for small and medium scale enterprises and focused on three performance indicators-internal rate of return, labour productivity and domestic and export market expansion. Findings of this paper suggested that investments in ICT have a positive impact on general market expansion. However, it has a negative impact on labour productivity, and such investment does not have any significant impact on the firm's return nor does it determine the firm's exporter (non-exporter) status. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Shyamal K. Chowdhury, 2006. "Investments in ICT-capital and economic performance of small and medium scale enterprises in East Africa," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(4), pages 533-552.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:18:y:2006:i:4:p:533-552
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.1250
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    4. Zahoor, Nadia & Khan, Zaheer & Meyer, Martin & Laker, Benjamin, 2023. "International entrepreneurial behavior of internationalizing African SMEs – Towards a new research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    5. Karim, Mohammed Shamsul & Nahar, Sharmin & Demirbag, Mehmet, 2022. "Resource-Based Perspective on ICT Use and Firm Performance: A Meta-analysis Investigating the Moderating Role of Cross-Country ICT Development Status," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
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    7. Jean-Michel HUET & Isabelle VIENNOIS & Pierre LABARTHE & Anas EL BARKANI, 2012. "Impact Study of the Arrival of a New Mobile Phone Operator in Haiti," Communications & Strategies, IDATE, Com&Strat dept., vol. 1(86), pages 175-192, 2nd quart.
    8. Mr. Kangni R Kpodar & Mihasonirina Andrianaivo, 2011. "ICT, Financial Inclusion, and Growth: Evidence from African Countries," IMF Working Papers 2011/073, International Monetary Fund.
    9. Navyashree G. R. & Savita Bhat, 2016. "ICT Investments and Growth of Small and Medium Firms: A Study of Food Processing Industry in India," Working Papers id:11306, eSocialSciences.
    10. DRAMA Bédi Guy Hervé, 2022. "Full Modified Ordinary Least Square Analysis of the Relationship between New Technologies of Information, Financial Development and Growth in WAEMU Zone," International Journal of Economics and Financial Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, vol. 8(2), pages 39-49, 06-2022.
    11. Navyashree G. R. & Savita Bhat, 2018. "ICT Investments and Growth of Small and Medium Firms: A Study of Food Processing Industry in India," Working Papers id:12731, eSocialSciences.

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