E-Learning Adoption and Assimilation in SMEs: A Research Framework

Abstract

SMEs exhibit specific behaviors with regard to adopting and assimilating information technologies such as e-learning. Very little is known however as to the environmental, organizational and technological factors that condition or determine the adoption and assimilation of e-learning by SMEs. Given that further research is needed in this regard, we seek to orient this research by proposing a research framework. After reviewing the literature on e-learning adoption and assimilation in the context of SMEs, potential determinant and moderating factors are identified and integrated within a conceptual framework. This framework is then applied to generate a set of research propositions on e-learning in SMEs.