An evaluation of the extent of and factors limiting information technology (IT) usage in publicly quoted companies in Kenya

Abstract

The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the factors limiting use of information technology (IT) in publicly quoted companies in Kenya. A subsidiary objective was to investigate the extent to which the same companies have adopted the technology. The study covered firms listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE). Data was collected using a questionnaire personally administered by the researcher. The result of the data collected indicated that the surveyed firms are yet to adopt information technology (IT) to its present development; mainly in the areas of office automation hardware, high end-user computing, decision and executive support systems, networking, and strong representation of the information and computer services function at top management level. Further, the results indicated that lack of adequate and relevant training, poor telecommunication services, budgetary constraints, and poor planning for IT resources are the main factors limiting use of IT in the publicly quoted companies in Kenya. However, these constraints are not unique to only firms in Kenya, they have been cited frequently in other parts of the world.