The Relationship between Information and Communication Technology Use and Firm Performance in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Electrical and Electronic Goods Manufacturing SMEs in Tunisia

Abstract

From the second half of the 1990s, increased investment in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has led to an acceleration of productivity growth and performance in many developed and newly industrialized countries. However, less is known about the current situation of firms in developing countries. This article addresses this issue by examining the relationship between ICT use and the performance of Tunisian SMEs operating in the electrical and electronic industry based on net profit margin. Using an econometric approach (linear regression, Granger causality, Kruskal-Wallis test, Welch ANOVA test, and post hoc tests), the results show that there is a significant statistical relationship between the level of ICT use and the performance of Tunisian SMEs in the electrical and electronic industry.