Digital technologies usage for SMEs businesses’ continuity in developing countries amidst COVID-19 pandemic: technology strategies and associated challenges in Tanzania
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to gain empirical insights into the prevalence of usage of digital technologies and strategies that were deployed by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the service sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, the extent of their usage and how they were integrated in the SMEs business to ensure their survival against the restrictive measures of COVID-19 containment. Furthermore, this study shades the light on challenges SMEs faced in the course to sustain their business.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a cross-sectional descriptive research design, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 120 SME managers in Dar es Salaam city. A response rate was 100 respondents, equivalent to 83% of the targeted sample size of 120. A simple random sampling was used. The collected data was analyzed descriptively.
Findings
The findings indicate that there was satisfactory level of digital technology integration for SMEs in Tanzania but not sufficient enough to ensure sustainability during pandemic. SMEs are urged to be prepared and acquaint themselves on the digitalization aspects for their business continuity. To make it easier for SMEs to embrace digitalization, technology manufacturers are urged to consider making digital technologies tailored made to fit the SMEs’ context. The study recommends for government support in terms of financial aid and education to enhance SMEs’ ability toward digitalization.
Originality/value
This study is of its own kind documenting the strategies and associated challenges the SMEs faced in the pursuit to sustain their businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It thus advances mechanisms that SMEs may use to expand their business beyond their physical localities using digital technologies.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the SMEs in the Tanzanian service sector who participated in this study. The authors also acknowledge the positive inputs they received during the Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Development (EID) Network workshop held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the comments that improved this submission. Finally, the authors thank the reviewers whose constructive comments improved this submission.
Disclosure statetements:
Conflict of interest: The authors have no any conflict of interest.
Funding: This study did not received any funding from any funding organisation.
Citation
Katalla, R.J. and Masele, J.J. (2024), "Digital technologies usage for SMEs businesses’ continuity in developing countries amidst COVID-19 pandemic: technology strategies and associated challenges in Tanzania", Information Discovery and Delivery, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IDD-04-2024-0058
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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