Influence Of Information Communication Technology on Project Completion in Small and Medium Enterprises, in Juba County, South Sudan

Abstract

The purpose of this research was investigating the influence of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on the completion of project of Small and Medium Enterprises in Juba County, South Sudan. The independent variable for the study was information communication Technology as measured by digital communication tools, project management systems, and automated document management systems. The dependent variable of the study was successful project completion, which is defined as completing the project on time and on budget while attaining the goals and objectives of the project. To ascertain the impact of ICT on project completion in Small and Medium Enterprises, In Juba County, South Sudan. The Diffusion Theory and the Technological Acceptance Theory serve as the study’s main theoretical pillars. This study applied a descriptive research design. The target population consisted of 13,348 licensed SMEs in Juba County, South Sudan. The sample size was determined using simple random sampling technique and stratified sampling techniques. The sample size was computed using Cochran's formula. There were 96 SMEs in the sample. Self-administered questionnaires were utilized to gather the data. The study yielded a response rate of 52%, and the data gathered was analyzed with the help of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22. This analysis encompassed both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Descriptive statistics, exemplified by frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were used for data summarization and presentation. Furthermore, inferential statistical techniques, for instance correlation and regression analysis, were employed to investigate relationships and make predictions based on the acquired data. Most of the respondents agreed, based on the descriptive statistics, that information communication Technology as measure by project management systems, automated document management system and digital communication tools) has a positive influence on project completion in SMEs in Juba County South Sudan. The calculated mean of 4.404 indicates that a significant proportion of respondents expressed a strong agreement regarding the influence of the project management system on project completion. The results of correlation study demonstrated a high positive correlation between the use of Digital Communication Tools and Project Completion (r = 0.983, p < 0.01). There is no significant correlation between the use of Automated Document Management System and Project Completion (r = -0.019, p > 0.05). A strong positive correlation exists between the use of Project Management System and Project Completion (r = 0.986, p < 0.01). Regression analysis showed that 98.2% of the variation in project completion are due to the changes in the three variables project management System, automated document management system and digital communication tools. According to regression analysis, increasing the use of digital communication tools by one unit will increase project completion by 0.421 units, increasing the use of automated document management systems by one unit will increase project completion by 0.111 units, and increasing the use of project management systems by one unit will increase project completion by 0.554 units. The researcher concluded that while automated document management systems have an insignificant influence on project completion in SMEs in Juba County, South Sudan, digital communication tools and project management systems have a strong positive and significant relationship with project completion in SMEs in Juba County, South Sudan. The researcher gave recommendation that management and other stakeholders should foster a culture of technology adoption and innovation within SMEs because it has been observed to positively influence project completion. Further studies have been recommended of a similar study but covering a different geographical area