Uses of mobile phones in agriculture-based small and medium enterprises in Ulanga district, Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2015-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study examined the uses of mobile telephony in agriculture-based
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ulanga district, Tanzania.
Specifically, the study examined the innovative uses of mobile telephony
and established the contribution of mobile phones to the performance of
agriculture-based SMEs. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed
to obtain a sample of 104 SME owners for a questionnaire-based survey
and 40 focus group participants. Quantitative and qualitative data were
analyzed using SPSS programme and content analysis respectively. The
study ,findings indicate that most SME owners were 40 years or younger
with almost an equal number of males and females. Nearly all SME owners
had formal education with about half having primary education.
Expenditure on mobile phones per day was generally high for rural
settings. Innovative uses of mobile phones included beeping and usage of
applications such as loudspeakers, cameras and voice recording. The use
of mobile phones in agriculture-based SMEs had enhanced customer and
managerial satisfaction; increased revenue, number of customers, access to
markets and sales volume: and improved operation efficiency. It is
concluded that the use of mobile phones had enhanced the performance of
agriculture-based SAIE.c. While beeping is used to cut down communication
costs, mobile phone applications such as loudspeaker, voice recording and
cameras are used innovaiively. for decision making and record of events. It
is recommended that mobile service providers continue devising more
useful applications' and services that can enhance the performance of
businesses. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs' should he proactive in using mobile
telephony services to enhance their business.
Description
Journal of continuing Education and Extension, 2015; 6 (1):869-881
Keywords
Mobile phones, Small and Medium Enterprises, Ulanga, Agriculture