Usage of Information and Communication Technology in Micro Enterprises in the Last Decade

Abstract

The paper presents the comparison of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage in Slovenian micro enterpris­es, using data derived from two studies carried out in years 1999 and 2009. Data for the studies were collected via structured interviews with owners or top managers of micro enterprises. We compared hardware and software equipment, business properties, characteristics of the interviewees and their impact on the successful use of ICT. The results show considerable changes in the ICT equipment, but that does not reflect in a better use of software compared to a decade ago. Key factors of successful use of ICT remain the same. The investment in ICT depends on owners’ decisions and the most important factors are the owners’ formal education and their skills and knowledge in ICT field. It was indicated that in recent years the invest­ment of education in ICT field for both groups, owners and employees, was considerable lowered.