Information Communication Technology and Business Performance: A Case Study of Selected Sme's in Kampala - Uganda

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to establish the impact of information communication technology on the business performance of Selected SMEs In Kampala - Uganda. The research was guided by four objectives. (i) to determine the profile of respondents in terms of gender, age, education, and enterprise number of years in business. (ii) to establish the level of business performance in selected SMEs Kampala - Uganda, (iii) to establish the ICT tools (web logs) used by selected SME's in Kampala Uganda, and (iv) to establish the relationship between business performance and !CT tools in selected SME's in Kampala - Uganda. In chapter two, the related literature was reviewed which was inline with the objectives and researcher questions. Chapter three focused on the research design, study population, sampling techniques and size that is sampling method and sample size data collection methods and instruments, data analysis and limitations of the study. The researcher had a total population of 400 people from whom only 200 were chosen. Chapter four of this research had the presentation, interpretation and analysis of findings. The data was presented in form of tables, and graphs. The researcher followed the questio:rnaire from the demographic characteristics of the respondents and then the objectives of the study. As per the demographic characteristics of the respondents, majority were men compared to women. It was implied that male contribute more on the role of!CT on business performance compared to women who were few and they have therefore, realized the I CT. The age bracket of 40-49 had majority of the respondents because they were considered to work harder than those within the age bracket of 30-39 and those who were above 30-39 years. In reference to the researcher's findings on level of business performance in selected SME's, 70% of the total respondents who were the majority seemed to be aware that ICT leads to the high performance of businesses in selected SMEs in Kampala - Uganda. Chapter five contained a summary of the findings and discussions of findings of the research. The researcher summarized that!CT is no longer an afte1thought concept but an actual cause and driver which offers enterprises avenues to compete on a global scale with improved efficiency and closer customer and supplier relationships. He also concluded that research should also find out what kind of !CT applications (basic or advanced) firms use. Furthermore, future studies should establish the level of adoption, motivating factors as well as challenges being faced, in use of!CT tools by business.