The Use of Information Technology in Less Developed Environments:the Case of Greece

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to examine the use of information technology (IT) in less developed environments. One of the fundamental premises of the study is that there have been disproportionately large research efforts with respect to IT in the United States and to some extent in Northern Europe compared to other regions of the world. The results of these studies are considered by those conducting them to have high degrees of generalizability; across types of organization, and across cultures and nations. However, little is actually known about the use and development of IT in less developed regions of the world. Technology may pose different problems and solutions depending on the environment, because the social processes which identify and resolve problems vary from context to context. The research uses Greece as an example of a less developed environment with respect to IT and aims to build a profile of the use of IT there. The theoretical framework used focuses on IT use in its context, and draws from a number of sources including social psychology and organizational and management studies. By building on the few studies that have explored the case of Greece, the research provides an analysis of the trends in IT use and development. The increasing use of networks and the dispersion of technology to regions outside the greater Athens area is displayed. The main problems that respondents have with IT use in Greece are identified and include skills and supply shortages, training, and the rapidity of technological advances. Although clusters of perceived problems exist, respondents are generally extremely satisfied with their IT operations and the contribution of IT to their business (profits, efficiency, quality etc.), Although there are wide variations in the specifics of installations between firms, the general perception of respondents has been to view themselves as having similar or superior IT to that of other firms.