Adoption of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Industrial Firms in Cameroon
Date
2021-10-04
Authors
Fambeu, Ariel Herbert
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Economic Research Consortium
Abstract
The ICT revolution is already a reality for firms in developed countries and in many
developing ones, especially that there is now solid evidence of how it has improved
productivity and growth. But at the same time, the ICT penetration rate is still low
in African firms. Using data on industrial firms in Cameroon, the present study is
an attempt to establish the determinants of ICT adoption in the country. It uses a
negative binomial model and a probit model selection bias correction. It transpires
from the study’s econometric results that the size of the firm, the human capital of
its employees, the proportion of its employees who are ICT-literate, its organizational
practices, its manager’s qualities and its regional location are the determinants of its
ICT adoption rate. However, their discriminatory effect diminishes over time. From
the study’s results, lessons can be drawn that can guide the development of an ICT
diffusion policy, not only for the firms in Cameroon, but also for those in other similar
African countries with a slow rate of ICT diffusion.