An Empirical Analysis of Indices and Factors of ICT Use by Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Japan

An Empirical Analysis of Indices and Factors of ICT Use by Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Japan

Author: 
Bunno, Teruyuki
Place: 
Hershey, PA
Publisher: 
IGI Global
Date published: 
2010
Record type: 
Responsibility: 
Idota, Hiroki, jt. author
Miyoshi, Hiroaki, jt. author
Editor: 
Karatas, Muhammed
Source: 
Sustainable Economic Development and the Influence of Information Technologies
Abstract: 

This chapter attempts to extract factors which promote the introduction and usage of ICT by SMEs (small- and medium-sized enterprises) through the method of mail surveys and in-depth interviews conducted in two of the largest SME clusters in Japan, Higashi-Osaka and Ohta Ward, Tokyo. The questionnaire was sent to more than 6,000 SMEs there, and received nearly 1,200 replies. Questions are related to company characteristics and purposes for ICT use. Moreover, the followings indexes are selected which present the degree of ICT use by SMEs: (i) software that contributes to efficient utilization of managerial resources; and (ii) Internet usage. Based on these data, factors are extracted by utilizing the regression methods such as OLS, logit and probit estimation. Among them, the most important elements in promoting ICT use are found to be a future-oriented vision for SMEs such as expectations for restructuring business process through ICT, and managerial orientations.

Series: 
Advances in Electronic Government, Digital Divide, and Regional Development

CITATION: Bunno, Teruyuki. An Empirical Analysis of Indices and Factors of ICT Use by Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Japan edited by Karatas, Muhammed . Hershey, PA : IGI Global , 2010. Sustainable Economic Development and the Influence of Information Technologies - Available at: http://library.au.int/empirical-analysis-indices-and-factors-ict-use-small-and-medium-sized-enterprises-japan