This paper examines the extent of information communication technology (ICT)
skills, use, and adoption among owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
in Malaysia; identifies innovation characteristics and adopter categories among
the owners; and establishes the relationship among these various constructs. The
authors surveyed 383 SME owners, using a survey instrument developed from
the constructs used in the diffusion of innovation theory. The findings show that
the level of ICT skills possessed by SME owners in Malaysia is poor, that their
use of ICT is low, and that their adoption of ICT is slow and late, primarily
because they find that ICT adoption is difficult. The authors discuss the
implications of their study and present their suggestions for future research
direction.