Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Lal, Kaushalesh
Author-Email: lal@merit.unu.edu
Author-Workplace-Name: United Nations University, Maastricht Economic and social
	 Research and training centre on Innovation and Technology
Author-Name: Peedoly, Aveeraj Sharma 
Author-Workplace-Name: University of Mauritius
Title: Small Islands, New Technologies and Globalization: A Case of ICT adoption
	 by SMEs in Mauritius
Abstract: This paper sets out to locate Mauritian SMEs in the present context of
	 global competition and more particularly to identify the extent to which
	 they have adopted ICTs as a tool to meet the challenges which they now
	 face. The essence of the argument that comes to the fore is that despite
	 having an impressive number of SMEs which contribute enormously to
	 employment creation in the country, the latter are in many ways
	 ill-equipped to confront the challenges of global competition. The
	 findings clearly show that the adoption of ICTs in SMEs is far from
	 being an integral feature of Mauritian SMEs despite recent claims to be
	 a cyber-island. Cost of communication and the lack of learning
	 opportunities have been found as the major impediments in the adoption
	 of ICTs. In turn this raises serious implications and challenges for the
	 SMEs themselves and the Government in order to adapt to the requirements
	 of globalisation.
Classification-JEL: O55, L86, L96, M13, C5
Keywords: Small Island Economies, ICT, SME, Probit Analysis
Series: UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Creation-Date: 2006
Number: 005
File-URL: http://www.merit.unu.edu/publications/wppdf/2006/wp2006-005.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 275 Kb
Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2006005