SMEs Research: The Continuous Need to Explore the ICT Potential

Abstract:

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) plays a significant role in improving the national economy. It is a key player on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in several countries, which is used to measure the national economic performance. SMEs and GDP performance could be affected by several factors including properly utilizing the current Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Many countries went far ahead in conducting research in utilizing ICT by SMEs. However, some countries could be considered as young regarding ICT research for SMEs. This paper explores the possible research areas that would help young countries in boosting the utilization of ICT by SMEs to improve their outcomes. It uses SMEs in Saudi Arabia as an example of the young countries, by investigating the conducted research in utilizing ICT by Saudi SMEs after the Saudi government classified SMEs recently. Then, the study explored some of the global research areas in the same field, to show the untouched areas by young countries. Also, the paper suggested some new ICT for SMEs research areas that would be a trigger for both advanced and developing countries in the field.