Figure 3: CEO characteristics, organizational characteristics and information technology
adoption in small businesses (adapted from Thong & Yap (1995, pp.431))
Interestingly, Thong & Yap (1995) demonstrated that competitiveness in the
environment and information intensity do not significantly influence the adoption of
information technology by small businesses. As will be discussed later in this paper, neither
factor will be investigated in the current study. Raymond (1990) notes that both individual
and organizational factors can be important for the success of information systems within
organizations.
Environment factors
Environmental factors are the third category of factors in Lakhanpal’s framework (see figure
2, above). Calling them “external” factors (ie. factors outside the control of organizations and
business owners), Yap (1986 and 1990) explains that there are two levels; “general” and