How to stimulate the ICT adoption of SMEs? 

The rapid economic and technological developments in the globally oriented business world make the strategic use of information & communication technology (ICT) essential. 
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are running behind regarding the application of ICT. Therefore it is necessary to stimulate the diffusion and adoption of this technology within this group. A so-called ICT scenario model can be used to communicate with entrepreneurs the strategic application of ICT.

The core of the ICT scenario model is an evolutionary perspective regarding the development of the strategic application of ICT in an enterprise. Additionally, three aspect areas are relevant: strategy, organisation and technology. 
With these 'ingredients' scenarios can be worked that describe per phase IT adoption possibilities seen from sector & business perspective. IT scenarios give entrepreneurs mental space to (re)consider its business & ICT options. Example of four worked-out phases for the furniture retail sector.

Some relevant publications:

Knol & Stroeken (2001). The diffusion and adoption of information technology in small and medium-sized enterprises through
IT-scenarios. Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, 13(2), pp. 227-246 (download).

La Rovere (1996), 'IT diffusion in small and medium-sized enterprises: elements for policy definition. Information Technology for Development, 7(4), pp. 169-181.

La Rovere (2003), Information systems in networks of small firms: challenges in a globalized world. In: IS Perspectives and Challenges in the Context of Globalization (download).

Stroeken & Knol (2000). IT-scenario's voor het midden- en kleinbedrijf. Bedrijfskunde, 72(4), pp. 91-106.

Tan (1995), IT management plateaus: an organizational architecture for IS. Information Systems Management, pp. 44-53.

Venkatraman (1991), IT-induced business reconfiguration. In. Scott Morton (Eds), The Corporation of the 1990s: information technology and organizational transformation, pp. 122-158.

Wickramasinghe & Sharma (2004), Key factors that hinder SMEs in succeeding in today's knowledge based economy. International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2(3), pp. 221-240 (link).

Yang (2005). Exploring factors affecting the adoption of mobile commerce in Singapore. Telematics and Informatics, 22(3), pp. 257-277 (download).

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