An Empirical Analysis of ICT Tools Deployment by the Indian Manufacturing Firms

Business environment today is highly dynamic, volatile, ambiguous, complex and uncertain. The complexity of the business world necessitates the organisations to be proactive and agile. Manufacturing organisations face heightened competition and the survival and growth is dependent on their ability to keep abreast with the changes in the environment. Manufacturing firms have to collect information across their supply chain and integrate this information for higher productivity. Advent of information and communication technology (ICT) and ICT tools facilitate the organisations to gather information faster and cheaper. This study focuses on analysing the extent of use of these ICT tools by the manufacturing firms in India and the perceptions of the firms on the ICT adoption benefits and the perceived barriers for effective deployment of ICT. Primary data is collected through a survey using questionnaire. Data are analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Results show that ICT tools have been widely deployed by the manufacturing firms. Age and size of the firms significantly influence the extent of use of the ICT tools. Internet and emails have been used by the firms irrespective of the changes in the demographic features. Perceptions of the firms on the benefits and barriers to adopting ICT are also explored by the study. The outcomes of the study facilitate the practicing managers and the policy makers in understanding the current status of ICT tools deployment and, hence, to suitably articulate and implement strategies for enhancing the awareness and benefits of using ICT tools for productivity.