Wireless eBusiness Infrastructure, a developing country perspective: The Suitability of Mobile Technologies for Implementing an eBusiness Infrastructure in Micro and Small Enterprises

This book interrogates the suitability of wireless technologies to implement an eBusiness infrastructure in Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in developing countries, particularly in Kenya. A research model was developed based on literature and information obtained from a pilot study. A preliminary study was conducted to refine the proposed model and inclusion of any variables limiting the suitability of wireless technologies as MSEs’ eBusiness infrastructure. The proposed model was empirically tested using data collected using a survey questionnaire and five descriptive case studies. The constructs were assessed for reliability, validity and exploratory factor analysis using SPSS and validated via a confirmatory factor analysis using Structural Equation Modeling with AMOS maximum likelihood method. Most Kenyans live in rural areas of the country with no access to mainstream technologies and a considerable digital divide exists, particularly between the urban and rural areas. This necessitated an intra-country comparison of access and use of wireless technologies in rural and urban MSEs in implementing an eBusiness infrastructure.

Dr. Patrick Kanyi Wamuyu (PhD IS&T, University of KwaZulu-Natal) is an Assistant Professor at USIU-A, Nairobi, Kenya, where he teaches Computing & Informatics. He has vast experience in Information Systems & Technology Training, research and consulting. He has published widely on ICT Entrepreneurship, Mobile Web, and ICT for Development(ICT4D).