ADOPTION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY AS TOOL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES SERVICE SECTOR IN ABUJA

Abstract

Information and communication technology (ICT) is so vital in today’s business environment and thus, firms are nowadays encouraged to invest heavily on ICT. ICT is fundamental ingredient for globslization. The study investigates the adoption of ICT as a tool for development of SMEs service sector of Abuja. The study was conducted among SMEs in service sector operating within the six area councils of Abuja. (AMAC, Bwari, Kuje, Abaji, Kwali and Gwagwalada area councils). Structured questionnaires representing 90 percent response rate and this was deemed usable. The data was analyzed using correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. The findings of the study revealed that all the independent variables have significant positive relationaship with ICT adoption by SMEs in the service sector of Abuja. The study concludes that the adoption of ICT as tools has led to the development of SMEs in the service sector of Abuja. The study recommends that business managers should make ICT a key component of their operational requirements so as to move away from traditions of manual and analogue operations.