Factors of New Technology Adoption in the Retail Sector

If small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in retailing are to be competitive in today's market, they need to master management and production information technologies. These technologies must be linked to the firm's operations, such as inventory, distribution, and shipping. The aim of this research is to identify the organizational, structural, and strategic factors that determine hardware and software technology adoption by retail SMEs. The sample is composed of 79 firms in the food (grocery), hardware, and (ladles') garment sectors. The determinant factors identified include sector, status (independent or affiliated), decentralization, bureaucratization, strategic proactiveness, and time-frame.

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