The use of Software as a Service to improve the Dynamic Capabilities of South African Small and Medium Enterprises

Abstract

Business aspects such as sales, human resources  management (HRM), marketing, accounting, and  customer relationship management (CRM) are  important for Small and Medium Enterprises  (SMEs). Therefore, it is anticipated that SMEs  will get to benefit from using innovative  technologies (IT) such as Software as a Service  (SaaS). SaaS is a Cloud Computing model where  applications, resources, and services are provided  by the service provider (SP) to SMEs and  accessed via the internet. SaaS may transform  SMEs. One of the major benefits of SaaS is its  dynamic capabilities. Despite the benefits of  SaaS, the utilization of this technology in SMEs,  particularly in developing countries is still  limited. This research study aims to develop a  conceptual model for the use of SaaS to improve  the dynamic capabilities of South African SMEs.  In this study, the theory of Technology-Task-Fit  (TTF) will be adopted and used to underpin the  study. A positivist research paradigm will be  adopted. The study will use a quantitative research  approach and data will be collected from 344  SME managers in South Africa using a  questionnaire. Structural equation modeling  (SEM) will be applied in this study to analyze the  data. 

https://doi.org/10.59200/ICONIC.2022.021