VISUALIZATION OF GLOBAL RESEARCH TRENDS OF TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES USING BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS

Authors

  • Abdullah Sulayman Meelad School of Management, Management and Science University (MSU)
  • Ali Khatibi School of Management, Management and Science University (MSU)
  • Jacquline Tham School of Management, Management and Science University (MSU)
  • Ferdous Azam School of Management, Management and Science University (MSU)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v23.n4.5082

Keywords:

Technology Adoption, Small and Medium Enterprises, Bibliometric Analysis, Co-Citation Analysis, Bibliographic Coupling

Abstract

Purpose – The rise of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and web technology has created new opportunities for businesses to engage with customers and expand their offerings. Design/methodology/approach – This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of technology adoption research in SMEs over the last two decades, focusing on performance analysis, co-citation analysis, bibliographic coupling, and scientific mapping. Using 195 documents from the Scopus database, the study examines scientific productivity, prolific authors, influential papers, institutions, nations, keyword co-occurrence, thematic mapping, co-citations, and country collaborations. VOSviewer facilitated performance analysis and thematic clustering. Findings –  Highlight 2023 as the most productive year, with Anderson School of Management, the University of New Mexico, and the United Kingdom as key contributors. "Information and Management" emerged as the most influential journal, while "The Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development" was the most productive. The most cited article, "An Integrated Model of Information Systems Adoption in Small Businesses," has 1,135 citations. Five thematic clusters of digital marketing research in SMEs were identified. Research limitations/implications – This study guides researchers on the current state and future directions of technology adoption literature in SMEs and is the first to offer such comprehensive performance analysis and scientific mapping. Originality/value – This study is the first to provide performance analysis and scientific mapping of business innovation literature in SMEs.

References

Zupic, I. and Cater, T. (2015), “Bibliometric methods in management and organization”, Organizational Research Methods, Vol. 18 No. 3, pp. 429-472.

Gao, P., Meng, F., Mata, M.N., Martins, J.M., Iqbal, S., Correia, A.B., Dantas, R.M., Waheed, A., Rita, X. and Farrukh, M. (2021), “Trends and future research in electronic marketing: a bibliometric analysis of twenty years”, Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research, Vol. 16 No. 5, pp. 1667-1679.

Ahmad, S. Z., Abu Bakar, A. R., & Ahmad, N. (2019). Social media adoption and its impact on firm performance: the case of the UAE. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 25(1), 84–111. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-08-2017-0299

Akpan, I. J., & Ibidunni, A. S. (2023). Digitization and technological transformation of small business for sustainable development in the less developed and emerging economies: a research note and call for papers. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 35(5), 671–676. https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2021.1924505

Ali, S., Yan, Q., Razzaq, A., Khan, I., & Irfan, M. (2022). Modeling factors of biogas technology adoption: a roadmap towards environmental sustainability and green revolution. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2022 30:5, 30(5), 11838–11860. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11356-022-22894-0

Baas, J., Schotten, M., Plume, A., Côté, G., & Karimi, R. (2020). Scopus as a curated, high-quality bibliometric data source for academic research in quantitative science studies. Quantitative Science Studies, 1(1), 377–386. https://doi.org/10.1162/qss_a_00019

Bouwman, H., Nikou, S., & de Reuver, M. (2019). Digitalization, business models, and SMEs: How do business model innovation practices improve performance of digitalizing SMEs? Telecommunications Policy, 43(9), 101828. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TELPOL.2019.101828

Centobelli, P., Cerchione, R., & Esposito, E. (2020). Pursuing supply chain sustainable development goals through the adoption of green practices and enabling technologies: A cross-country analysis of LSPs. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 153, 119920. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.119920

Chan, F. T. S., Yee-Loong Chong, A., & Zhou, L. (2012). An empirical investigation of factors affecting e-collaboration diffusion in SMEs. International Journal of Production Economics, 138(2), 329–344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2012.04.004

Chuang, T. T., Nakatani, K., & Zhou, D. (2009). An exploratory study of the extent of information technology adoption in SMEs: An application of upper echelon theory. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 22(1–2), 183–196. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410390910932821/FULL/XML

Cimini, C., Boffelli, A., Lagorio, A., Kalchschmidt, M., & Pinto, R. (n.d.). How do Industry 4.0 technologies influence organisational change? An empirical analysis of Italian SMEs. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-04-2019

Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070

Eze, S. C., Chinwedu Chinedu-Eze, V., & Bello, A. (2019). Mobile marketing technology adoption in service SMEs: a multi-perspective framework. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSTPM-11-2018-0105

Ganapaiah, C. (2016). Strategic Cost Management and Business Performance A Study of SMEs In Karnataka. University. http://hdl.handle.net/10603/326886

Ghobakhloo, M., Iranmanesh, M., Vilkas, M., Grybauskas, A., & Amran, A. (2022). Drivers and barriers of Industry 4.0 technology adoption among manufacturing SMEs: a systematic review and transformation roadmap. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 33(6), 1029–1058. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-12-2021-0505

Haddaway, N. R., Bethel, A., Dicks, L. V., Koricheva, J., Macura, B., Petrokofsky, G., Pullin, A. S., Savilaakso, S., & Stewart, G. B. (2020). Eight problems with literature reviews and how to fix them. Nature Ecology & Evolution 2020 4:12, 4(12), 1582–1589. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01295-x

Harrison, D. A., Mykytyn, P. P., & Riemenschneider, C. K. (1997). Executive Decisions About Adoption of Information Technology in Small Business: Theory and Empirical Tests. Https://Doi.Org/10.1287/Isre.8.2.171, 8(2), 171–195. https://doi.org/10.1287/ISRE.8.2.171

Hossain, M. R., Akhter, F., & Sultana, M. M. (2022). SMEs in Covid-19 Crisis and Combating Strategies: A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and A Case from Emerging Economy. Operations Research Perspectives, 9, 100222. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ORP.2022.100222

INFORMAČNÍ MANAGEMENT. (n.d.).

Jana, B., & Kaushik, T. (2022). Application of technology-organization-environment model in HR analytics adoption. Journal of Information and Optimization Sciences, 43(6), 1387–1395. https://doi.org/10.1080/02522667.2022.2117331

Kalkan, A., Mulala, C. M., & Duz, H. (2021). Internet Adoption by SMEs. Recent Developments in Individual and Organizational Adoption of ICTs, 26–42. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-3045-0.CH002

Khayer, A., Talukder, Md. S., Bao, Y., & Hossain, Md. N. (2020). Cloud computing adoption and its impact on SMEs’ performance for cloud supported operations: A dual-stage analytical approach. Technology in Society, 60, 101225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2019.101225

Kuan, K. K. Y., & Chau, P. Y. K. (2001). A perception-based model for EDI adoption in small businesses using a technology–organization–environment framework. Information & Management, 38(8), 507–521. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7206(01)00073-8

Kurnia, S., Choudrie, J., Mahbubur, R. M., & Alzougool, B. (2015). E-commerce technology adoption: A Malaysian grocery SME retail sector study. Journal of Business Research, 68(9), 1906–1918. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JBUSRES.2014.12.010

Lefebvre, L.-A., Langley, A., And, J. H., & Lefebvre, &dsabeth. (1992). EXPLORING THE STRATEGY-TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION IN SMALL MANUFACTURING FIRMS*. I(3).

Legowo, M. B., Indiarto, B., & Prayitno, D. (2020). Information Technology Adoption Efforts in Improving The Performance of Indonesia SMEs. International Journal of Progressive Sciences and Technologies (IJPSAT, 21(2), 134–140. https://doi.org/10.52155/IJPSAT.V21.2.1935

Mahmood, T., & Mubarik, M. S. (2020). Balancing innovation and exploitation in the fourth industrial revolution: Role of intellectual capital and technology absorptive capacity. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 160, 120248. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TECHFORE.2020.120248

Molinillo, S., & Japutra, A. (2017). Organizational adoption of digital information and technology: a theoretical review. Bottom Line, 30(1), 33–46. https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-01-2017-0002/FULL/HTML

Nguyen, T. H., Newby, M., & Macaulay, M. J. (2015). Information Technology Adoption in Small Business: Confirmation of a Proposed Framework. Journal of Small Business Management, 53(1), 207–227. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsbm.12058

Qalati, S. A., Li, W., Ahmed, N., Mirani, M. A., & Khan, A. (2020). Examining the Factors Affecting SME Performance: The Mediating Role of Social Media Adoption. Sustainability, 13(1), 75. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU13010075

Quaye, D. M., & Mensah, I. (2019). Entrepreneurial leadership and performance of female-owned small and medium-sized enterprises in Ghana. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 38(1–2), 19–44. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJESB.2019.102512

Reimann, C., Carvalho, F., & Duarte, M. (2021). The Influence of Dynamic and Adaptive Marketing Capabilities on the Performance of Portuguese SMEs in the B2B International Market. Sustainability 2021, Vol. 13, Page 579, 13(2), 579. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU13020579

Ritchie, B., & Brindley, C. (2005). ICT adoption by SMEs: implications for relationships and management. New Technology, Work and Employment, 20(3), 205–217. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-005X.2005.00154.x

Shahadat, M. M. H., Nekmahmud, M., Ebrahimi, P., & Fekete-Farkas, M. (2023). Digital Technology Adoption in SMEs: What Technological, Environmental and Organizational Factors Influence SMEs’ ICT Adoption in Emerging Countries? Global Business Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/09721509221137199

Simmons, G., Armstrong, G. A., & Durkin, M. G. (2008). A conceptualization of the determinants of small business website adoption: Setting the research agenda. International Small Business Journal, 26(3), 351–389. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242608088743

Social media tools adoption and use by SMEs: An empirical study. (n.d.).

Taiminen, H. M., & Karjaluoto, H. (2015). The usage of digital marketing channels in SMEs. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 22(4), 633–651. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-05-2013-0073

(Thong, 1999). (n.d.). An Integrated Model of Information Systems Adoption in Small Businesses. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://www.jstor.org/stable/40398410

Thong, J. Y. L., & Yap, C. S. (1995). CEO characteristics, organizational characteristics and information technology adoption in small businesses. Omega, 23(4), 429–442. https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-0483(95)00017-I

Valeri, M., & Baggio, R. (2021). A critical reflection on the adoption of blockchain in tourism. Information Technology & Tourism, 23(2), 121–132. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-020-00183-1

Vrontis, D., Chaudhuri, R., & Chatterjee, S. (2022). Adoption of Digital Technologies by SMEs for Sustainability and Value Creation: Moderating Role of Entrepreneurial Orientation. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137949

Zahra, A. A., Nurmandi, A., Tenorio, C. B., Rahayu, R., Benectitos, S. H., Mina, F. L. P., & Haictin, K. M. (2021). Bibliometric Analysis of Trends in Theory-related Policy Publications. Emerging Science Journal, 5(1), 96–110. https://doi.org/10.28991/ESJ-2021-01261

Downloads

Published

2026-02-27

How to Cite

Meelad, A. S., Khatibi, A., Tham, J., & Azam, F. (2026). VISUALIZATION OF GLOBAL RESEARCH TRENDS OF TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES USING BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS. Veredas Do Direito, 23, e235082. https://doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v23.n4.5082