Understanding Strategic Use of It in Small & Medium-Sized Businesses: Examining Push Factors and User Characteristics (Manuscripts‪)‬

ABSTRACT Globalization and competitive pressures have heightened the impetus for strategic use of IT. There is a common belief that if IT is strategically used, it will enable organizations (large or small) to meet their objectives, be competitive, and achieve a favorable business performance for long-term survival. This has led to a growing research interest in the use of IT as a strategic weapon by organizations in recent years. The current research examines the different concept of strategic use of IT, provides a synthesis of various ideas, and empirically investigates the characteristics of Malaysia small and medium-sized businesses that are strategizing with IT. Important theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed.