The Uptake and Utilisation of Electronic Business Technology: A Case of Selected South African Small Manufacturing Industries

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a study undertaken to explore the uptake and utilisation of e-business technology amongst small manufacturers based in Polokwane, South Africa. The aim of the study was to establish the integration of e-business technology in the operations of small manufacturers as well as the utility of the adopted technologies. The study was conducted as a quantitative enquiry, with a population of N=12. A survey was conducted, with self administered questionnaires as the data generation instrument. Data were analysed utilising the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 21.0, with descriptive statistics as the primary approach to data analysis and presentation The survey found that although most surveyed companies had adopted e-business technologies, the majority had moderate utilisation of technology, with the financial benefits of adopting e-business technology being low to moderate. As a result of the survey it also emerged that small manufactures also perceive e-business technology can make a significant positive impact in areas of customer services, market research and distribution cost reduction. As a result the key recommendation of the study is the need for small manufacturers analyse the push and pull factors with regards to their innovation and integration of e-business technology in order for small manufacturers to be able to effectively utilise technology within their operations. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n20p454