SMEs need formative infrastructure for business transformation

Purpose – The purpose is to study conditions for ICT-use in SMEs, actors and roles involved and concepts constituting a formative infrastructure. Method - The methodological point of departure and approach in this study is qualitative and more than 60 interviews are performed within a geographical region. Findings – Important findings from the present research is a formative ICT infrastructure can be viewed as constituted by identified needs among SMEs, in (1) sensemaking, (2) sensegiving, and (3) service infrastructures. In SMEs there is less of infrastructure and less of overhead and support services than in larger enterprises. The adoption processes in SMEs differ from the ones in larger enterprises. SMEs rely more on external relations in a public infrastructure. Research implications – Formative ICT infrastructure in SMEs is not a well known concept, concerning ICT use in SME’s. The need for infrastructure is different in SME’s compared to larger enterprises, and a formative infrastructure has a different meaning for SME’s. Still many questions remain unanswered. Practical implications - There is a need for better understanding of conditions for design of infrastructure for ICT use and development particularly in SME’s, but also in other enterprises and organizations. The emphasis on infrastructure for ICT adoption processes will help SME’s and municipalities to more relevant investments. Originality - The study integrates micro- and macro-perspectives and combines theories from different fields to extend the knowledge of formative infrastructure for SME’s adoption and use of ICT.