Firms in Underdeveloped Countries That Adopt InformationCommunication Technology (ICT) do not Always ImproveTheir Competitiveness: An Empirical Investigation

摘要

This study develops a research model to analyze the outcome of ICT adoption by firms in underdeveloped countries. Basedon the theoretical framework of the knowledge based view (KBV) and management information systems literature. Thispaper proposes a model where a firm’s success when adopting ICT depends mainly on it’s network relationship andassimilation capacity and the characteristics of the particular ICT being adopted. The outcome of the ICT adoption is gaugedusing the balanced scorecard concept by measuring the firm improvements in: price, products, business processes, andresearch ability. In the empirical section, this research will use structural equation modeling with data collected frommanufacturing firms to conduct tests of the hypotheses developed in the model. The results would have important managerialand policy implications for firms in underdeveloped countries. The model will help managers to adopt ICT with thecomprehensive picture of benefits and risks of their choices.