The impact of conformity, effort and performance expectancies on SMEs information technology adoption in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper investigates the drivers of SMEs’ adoption (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises’ adoption) of information technology (IT) in Nigeria, underpinned by the performance expectancy, effort expectancy and conformity impact on IT adoption. In addition, the study examined the impact of an organizational existence on IT adoption. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was applied to establish the model goodness-of-fit, while Structural Equation Modelling was employed to test the proposed model’s hypotheses. Further, multiple regression analysis was used to test the organization years of existence effect on IT adoption. The overall arching finding indicative predominant role of performance expectancy in explaining organization adoption of IT system. Furthermore, effort expectancy (ease of IT usage) showed mixed results. While it was a predictive construct in the overall study model, it proved redundant under five years of organization existence, but was predictive of organizational existence over five years. The conformity construct (maintenance of status quo) was insignificant in the study. The research adds value to the information technology literature by establishing the factors that drive 20 SMEs IT adoption in Nigeria, especially where organization age is concerned. The unit of analysis was at organization level, there is wisdom in considering employees’ demographics, 22 such as employee’s education, IT experience, or organizational trade in future studies.