Adoption of Information Technology by Micro-enterprises. Evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Abstract

Although the Democratic Republic of the Congo has huge mineral reserves, it is one of the deprived countries caused by the continuous instability. Moreover, the micro-entrepreneurs have a very low level of knowledge in information technologies and its application in their businesses despite microenterprises can be crucial for the job generation, the improvement in their level of technologies and finally in the economic growth of their environment. The present research work aims to analyse what socioeconomic factors determine IT adoption and use in microenterprises in order to improve its sustainability. Through a quantitative and a qualitative research we studied the current situation of microbusinesses regarding their level of ICT. The results show that management and economic characteristics as well as the education level of the employees determine the level of IT adoption and use. This paper contributes with root evidence about the ICT use as an engine of sustainability development among the Democratic Republic of the Congo.