{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,15]],"date-time":"2026-04-15T19:15:25Z","timestamp":1776280525295,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":63,"publisher":"Emerald","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2011,8,16]],"date-time":"2011-08-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1313452800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/site-policies"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2011,8,16]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Purpose<\/jats:title><jats:p>The purpose of this paper is to investigate and empirically determine the influence on information and communication technology (ICT) adoption of three important factors (i.e. capacity to adopt and use ICT, exposure to international environment and state policies) in South Africa.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Design\/methodology\/approach<\/jats:title><jats:p>Data covering the period 2000\u20102009 on the above influencing factors were collected from the World Bank databases and other sources. A logarithmic transformation of data was done, followed by a regression analysis in order to determine the significance of the influence of each factor.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Findings<\/jats:title><jats:p>The results show that capacity to adopt and use ICT has the most significant influence on ICT adoption in South Africa, followed by exposure to international environment. The effect of state policies was surprisingly not significant, deviating from the general claims that policy implementation and adoption of such policies are key determinants of adoption.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Research limitations\/implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>The findings of this study are based on data collected from secondary sources which may be susceptible to measurement errors, missing values and inconsistent calculations. While the researcher made some effort to minimise these limitations, precautions need to be taken in using and generalising these findings.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Practical implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>This study confirms the need to increase levels of economic growth in South Africa if the country is to make technological advances that will ensure competitiveness in the global environment. Understanding the relative influence of these factors is important in directing policy and proper allocation of limited resources.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Originality\/value<\/jats:title><jats:p>Many factors influencing ICT adoption have been identified in literature. However, these tend to be studied in isolation, are fragmented, and as such the key determining factors are not well understood in South Africa. While there is no doubt that human, social, economic, political and other factors impact on ICT adoption, the significance of the influence of each factor needs to be understood. The present study bridged this gap by identifying the factor with the most significant influence on ICT adoption. Understanding such significance would enable appropriate policy reviews and intervention strategies that support ICT adoption.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1108\/13287261111164844","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2011,8,20]],"date-time":"2011-08-20T07:02:53Z","timestamp":1313823773000},"page":"255-267","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":29,"title":["Investigating the key factors influencing ICT adoption in South Africa"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Michael","family":"Kyobe","sequence":"first","affiliation":[]}],"member":"140","reference":[{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b1","unstructured":"Abrahams, L., and Goldstuck, A. (2010), \u201cICT, the network knowledge economy and development\u201d, LINK Public Policy Paper No. 11, July, available at: http:\/\/link.wits.ac.za\/papers\/Abrahams\u2010Goldstuck\u20102010\u2010eDevelopment\u2010SA.pdf (accessed 14 November)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b60","unstructured":"Akoojee, S., Arends, F. and Roodt, J. (2007), ICT Skills at the Intermediate Level in South Africa: Insights into Private Provision and Labour Market Demand, Human Sciences Research Council, HSRC Press, Cape Town."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Amit, R. and Zott, C. (2001), \u201cValue creation in e\u2010business\u201d, Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 22 Nos 6\/7, pp. 493\u2010520.","DOI":"10.1002\/smj.187"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b3","unstructured":"Ayeni, V. (2004), Public Sector Reforms in Developing Countries: A Hand Book of Commonwealth Experience, Commonwealth Secretariat Publisher, London."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b4","unstructured":"Bagchi, K., and Udo, G. (2007), \u201cGlobal digital divide: a longitudinal analysis\u201d, in Palvia, P., Palvia, S. and Harris, A.L. (Eds), Managing Global Information Technology: Strategies and Challenges, Ivy League Publishing, Marietta, GA."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bakos, J.Y. and Kemerer, C.F. (1992), \u201cRecent applications of economic theory in information technology research\u201d, Decision Support System, Vol. 8 No. 5, pp. 365\u201086.","DOI":"10.1016\/0167-9236(92)90024-J"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b6","unstructured":"Cellular News (2004), \u201cDoes mobile technology hold the key to widening access to ICTs in Africa?\u201d, available at: http:\/\/cellular.co.za\/news_2004\/may\/0501004\u2010itu_says_africa_is_the_world.htm (accessed 12 April 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chan, S. and Ngai, E. (2007), \u201cA qualitative study of information technology adoption: how ten organizations adopted web\u2010based training\u201d, Information Systems Journal, Vol. 17 No. 3, pp. 289\u2010315.","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2575.2007.00250.x"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Corrales, J. and Westhoff, F. (2006), \u201cInformation technology adoption and political regimes\u201d, International Studies Quarterly, Vol. 50 No. 4, pp. 911\u201033.","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1468-2478.2006.00431.x"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"De Marez, L., Vyncke, P., Berte, K., Schuurman, D. and De Moor, K. (2007), \u201cAdopter segments, adoption determinants and mobile marketing\u201d, Journal of Targeting, Measurement and Analysis for Marketing, Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 78\u201095.","DOI":"10.1057\/palgrave.jt.5750057"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b9","unstructured":"Department of Trade and Industry (2000), \u201cSouth African ICT sector development framework\u201d, available at: http:\/\/.dti.gov.za\/saitis\/docs\/html\/chap02.html (accessed 24 January 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b61","unstructured":"DST (2008), National Experimental Research and Development Survey 2007\u201008: High Level Key Results, Department of Science and Technology, Pretoria."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b48","unstructured":"Dutta, S. and Mia, I. (2009), The Global Information Technology Report: Mobility in a Networked World, Insead & World Economic Forum, available at: www.insead.edu\/v1\/gitr\/wef\/main\/fullreport\/index.html (accessed 3 October 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b62","unstructured":"Dwolatsky, B. (2010), Interview with the Head of the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 17 March."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Erumban, A.A. and De Jong, S.B. (2006), \u201cCross\u2010country differences in ICT adoption: a consequence of culture?\u201d, Journal of World Business, Vol. 41 No. 4, pp. 302\u201032.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jwb.2006.08.005"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b12","unstructured":"Emejo, J. (2010), \u201cAfrica must show sincerity in technology adoption, says Kufuor\u201d, Allafrica.com, 27 October 2010, available at: http:\/\/allafrica.com\/stories\/201010280245.html (accessed 24 December)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b64","unstructured":"Galbraith, L. (2007), South African Automotive Yearbook 2007, Balgair Publications, Cowies Hill."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b13","unstructured":"Gillwald, A. and Esselaar, S. (2004), South African 2004 ICT Sector Performance Review, LINK Centre Public Policy Research Paper No. 7, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, available at: http:\/\/researchictafrica.net\/images\/upload\/tspr2004.pdf (accessed 14 March 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b14","unstructured":"Global Trade.net (2009), \u201cForeign direct investment in South Africa\u201d, US Commercial Serviced, 17 November 2009, available at: http:\/\/globaltrade.net\/international\u2010trade\u2010import\u2010exports\/f\/business\/text\/South\u2010Africa\/Investing\u2010Investment\u2010Opportunities\u2010Foriegn\u2010Direct\u2010Investment\u2010in\u2010South\u2010Africa.html (accessed 25 March 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b15","unstructured":"Goldstuck, A. (2010), Internet Access in South Africa 2010: A Comprehensive Study of the Internet Access Market in South Africa, World Wide Worx, Johannesburg, available at: http:\/\/researchandmarkets.com\/reports\/1280829\/internet_access_in_south_africa_2010 (accessed 25 December)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gupta, B., Dasgupta, S. and Gupta, A. (2008), \u201cAdoption of ICT in a government organization in a developing country: an empirical study\u201d, The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 140\u201054.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsis.2007.12.004"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b18","unstructured":"Hofstede, G. (1984), Culture's Consequences: International Differences in Work\u2010related Values, Sage, Beverly Hills, CA."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b19","unstructured":"Hofstede, G. (2001), Culture's Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviours, Institutions, and Organizations Across Nations, 2nd ed., Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Indrajit, B., and Kunal, S. (2007), \u201cIndia in the knowledge economy: an electronic paradigm\u201d, The International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 21 No. 6, pp. 543\u201068.","DOI":"10.1108\/09513540710780055"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b22","unstructured":"Internet World Stats (2009), Africa Internet Usage and Population Stats, available at: www.internetworldstat.com\/ (accessed 24 March 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b21","unstructured":"IST\u2010Africa (2007), \u201cOverview of ICT infrastructure in South Africa \u2013 IST\u2010Africa\u201d, available at: http:\/\/ist\u2010africa.org\/home\/default.asp?page=doc\u2010by\u2010id&docid=3574 (accessed 23 March 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b23","unstructured":"ITU (2009), Measuring the Information Society \u2013 The ICT Development Index, available at: http:\/\/itu.int\/ITU\u2010D\/ict\/publications\/ (accessed 24 March 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jorgenson, D.W. (2001), \u201cInformation technology and the US economy\u201d, American Economic Review, Vol. 91 No. 1, pp. 1\u201032.","DOI":"10.1257\/aer.91.1.1"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b25","unstructured":"Kamal, M. and Qureshi, S. (2009), \u201cHow can information and communication technology bring about development? An information architecture for guiding interventions in developing regions\u201d, AMCIS Proceedings, available at: http:\/\/aisel.aisnet.org\/amics2009\/188\/ (accessed 30 December 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kang, C. and Lee, S. (2007), \u201cRegional ties and discrimination: political change, economic crisis, and job displacements in South Korea, 1997&#x2013;99\u201d, Developing Economies, Vol. 45 No. 1, pp. 63\u201096.","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1746-1049.2007.00030.x"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kapurubandara, M. and Lawson, R. (2008), \u201cAvailability of e\u2010commerce support for SMEs in developing countries\u201d, The International Journal on Advances in ICT for Emerging Regions, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 3\u201011.","DOI":"10.4038\/icter.v1i1.447"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kapurubandata, M., Arunatileke, S. and Ginige, A. (2004), \u201cApplication of eBusiness strategies for SMEs in developing countries\u201d, Proceedings of the 2004 IEEE International Conference on E\u2010technology, E\u2010commerce and E\u2010service (EEE), Taipei, Taiwan, pp. 49\u201059.","DOI":"10.1109\/EEE.2004.1287289"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kova\u010di\u0107, Z.J. and Vukmirovi\u0107, D. (2008), \u201cICT adoption and the digital divide in Serbia: factors and policy implications\u201d, Proceedings of the Informing Science & IT Education Conference (InSITE), Varna, Bulgaria, available at: http:\/\/proceedings.informingscience.org\/InSITE2008\/InSITE08p363\u2010387Kova540.pdf (accessed 21 December 2010).","DOI":"10.28945\/3247"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b30","unstructured":"Kwon, T.H. and Zmud, R. (1987), \u201cUnifying the fragmented models if information systems implementations\u201d, in Boland, R. and Hirscheim, R. (Eds), In Critical Issues in Information Systems Research, Wiley, New York, NY."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b31","unstructured":"Lagace, M. (2006), \u201cHow South Africa challenges our thinking on FDI\u201d, HBS Working Knowledge, 6 November 2006, available at: hbswk.hbs.edu\/item\/5228.html (accessed 8 January 2011)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b32","unstructured":"Lind, P. (1991), Computerisation in Developing Countries, Routledge, London."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b33","unstructured":"Majharul, T. and Yeow, H.P. (2007), \u201cA comparative study of virtual communities in Bangladesh and the USA\u201d, The Journal of Computer Information Systems, Vol. 47 No. 4, pp. 82\u201090."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b34","unstructured":"Marshall, M., Jaggers, K. and Founder, R. (2010), Polity IV Project: Political Regime Characteristics and Transitions, 1800\u20102009, available at: http:\/\/systemicpeace.org\/polity\/polity4.htm (accessed 9 January 2011)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b36","unstructured":"Mutula, S. and Van Brakel, P. (2006), \u201cE\u2010readiness of SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana with respect to information access\u201d, The Electronic Library, available at: www.emeraldinsight.com\/\u2026\/published\/emeraldfulltextarticle\/pdf\/2630240310_ref.html (accessed 20 December 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b37","unstructured":"Odedra, M. and Madon, S. (1993), Information Technology Policies and Applications in the Commonwealth Developing Countries, Commonwealth Secretariat, London."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Oliner, S.D. and Sichel, D.E. (2002), \u201cInformation technology and productivity: where are we now and where are we going?\u201d, Economic Review, Vol. 3 No. 3, pp. 15\u201041.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-1-4615-0325-5_4"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b39","unstructured":"Orford, J., Herrington, M. and Wood, E. (2004), South African Report Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, available at: www.gbs.uct.ac.za\/gbswebb\/userfiles\/GEM_2004.pdf (accessed 14 November 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b63","unstructured":"Patel, S. (2010), personal communication with key informant, consultant with ICT Ventures and Nethealth Solutions, Johannesburg, 23 September."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pavon, F. and Brown, I. (2010), \u201cFactors influencing the adoption of the world wide web for job\u2010seeking in South Africa\u201d, SA Journal of Information Management, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 443\u201052.","DOI":"10.4102\/sajim.v12i1.443"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b50","unstructured":"(The) Presidency RSA (2009), Development Indicators, available at: http:\/\/thepresidency.gov.za\/learning\/me\/indicators\/2009\/indicators.pdf (accessed 7 August 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Puri, S.K. (2006), \u201cTechnological frames of stakeholders shaping the SDI implementation: a case study from India\u201d, Information Technology for Development, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 311\u201031.","DOI":"10.1002\/itdj.20050"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b42","unstructured":"Rodriguez, F. and Wilson, E. (2000), Are Poor Countries Losing the Information Revolution?, The World Bank, Washington, DC, available at: http\/\/infodev.org\/library\/working.htm (accessed 20 November 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Roycrofta, T. and Anantho, S. (2003), \u201cInternet subscription in Africa: policy for a dual digital divide\u201d, Telecommunications Policy, Vol. 27, pp. 61\u201074.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0308-5961(02)00091-5"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Schumpeter, J.A. (2002), \u201cThe economy as a whole: seventh chapter of the theory of economic development\u201d, Industry and Innovation, Vol. 9 Nos 1\/2, pp. 93\u2010145.","DOI":"10.1080\/13662710220123653"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Singh, S. (2010), \u201cThe South African \u2018information society\u2019, 1994\u20102008: problems with policy, legislation, rhetoric and implementation\u201d, Journal of Southern African Studies, Vol. 36 No. 1, pp. 209\u201027.","DOI":"10.1080\/03057071003607444"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b45","unstructured":"StatsSA (2009a), Mid\u2010year Population Estimates, Statistical Release P0302, Statistics South Africa, Pretoria, available at: www.statssa.gov\/za\/publications\/P0302\/P03023009.pdf (accessed 14 January 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Stiroh, K.J. (2002), \u201cInformation technology and the US productivity revival: what do the industry data say?\u201d, American Economic Review, Vol. 92 No. 5, pp. 1559\u201076.","DOI":"10.1257\/000282802762024638"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b28","unstructured":"Thlabela, K., Roodt, J., Paterson, A. and Weir\u2010Smith, G. (2006), Mapping ICT Access in South Africa, HSRC Press, Cape Town."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Toussea\u2010Oulai, A. and Ura, S. (1991), \u201cInformation technology transfer: problems facing African developing nations\u201d, International Journal of Human\u2010Computer Interaction, Vol. 3 No. 1, pp. 79\u201093.","DOI":"10.1080\/10447319109525997"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Vannoy, S. and Palvia, P. (2010), \u201cThe social influence model of technology adoption\u201d, Communication of the ACM, Vol. 53 No. 6, pp. 149\u201053.","DOI":"10.1145\/1743546.1743585"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b56","unstructured":"Vital Wave Consulting (2006), The South African Adoption of Open Source, available at: http:\/\/vitalwaveconsulting.com\/pdf\/South\u2010African\u2010Adoption\u2010of\u2010Open\u2010Source.pdf (accessed 20 November 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b53","unstructured":"Worku, T. (2010), \u201cElectronic\u2010banking in Ethiopia: practices, opportunities and challenges\u201d, Journal of Internet Banking and Commerce, Vol. 15 No. 2, pp. 2\u20108."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b100","unstructured":"(The) World Bank (2010), The World Development Indicators (WDI) 2010, The World Bank, Washington, DC, available at: http:\/\/data.worldbank.org\/data\u2010catalog\/world\u2010development\u2010indicators\/wdi\u20102010 (accessed 12 January 2011)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b51","unstructured":"(The) World Bank Group (2011), WDI Online List of Time Series Indicators, available at: http:\/\/data.worldbank.org\/data\u2010catalog\/world\u2010development\u2010indicators (accessed 17 January)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b54","unstructured":"World Wide Worx (2005), \u201cGreat Expectations Stall on the Internet\u201d, available at: http:\/\/theworx.biz\/access05.htm (accessed 10 November 2010)."},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_b58","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zhao, H., Kim, S., Suh, T. and Du, J. (2008), \u201cSocial institutional explanations of global internet diffusion: a cross\u2010country analysis\u201d, in Rahman, H. (Ed.), Selected Readings on Global Information Technology, Hershey, New York, NY, pp. 347\u201072, Information Science References.","DOI":"10.4018\/978-1-60566-116-2.ch021"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_frd1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gutierrez, L.H. and Berg, S. (2000), \u201cTelecommunications liberation and regulatory governance: lessons from Latin America\u201d, Telecommunication Policy, Vol. 24, pp. 865\u201084.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0308-5961(00)00069-0"},{"key":"key2022021519421926200_frd2","unstructured":"Maxwell, C. (2005), Foriegn Investment in South Africa \u2013 An Overview \u2013 London, available at: http:\/\/lowtax.net\/lowtax\/html\/offon\/southafrica\/sa_foriegn.html (accessed 9 January 2011)."}],"container-title":["Journal of Systems and Information Technology"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"http:\/\/www.emeraldinsight.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1108\/13287261111164844","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/content\/doi\/10.1108\/13287261111164844\/full\/xml","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/content\/doi\/10.1108\/13287261111164844\/full\/html","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,25]],"date-time":"2025-07-25T00:24:22Z","timestamp":1753403062000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"http:\/\/www.emerald.com\/jsit\/article\/13\/3\/255-267\/252082"}},"subtitle":[],"editor":[{"given":"Michael","family":"Kyobe","sequence":"first","affiliation":[]}],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2011,8,16]]},"references-count":63,"journal-issue":{"issue":"3","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2011,8,16]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1108\/13287261111164844"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1108\/13287261111164844","relation":{},"ISSN":["1328-7265"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1328-7265","type":"print"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2011,8,16]]}}}