Adoption of Professional mobile applications and organizational performance of SMEs in Mali : CEDIM case

Abstract

This research analyzes the influence of the adoption of business mobile applications on the organizational performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Mali, using CEDIM as a case study. While numerous studies have already examined the adoption of digital technologies in SMEs, they remain primarily quantitative and devote limited attention to understanding perceptions, actual practices, and the mechanisms of mobile application appropriation in the Malian context. To address this gap, this research adopts an interpretivist qualitative approach, using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as its main theoretical framework to analyze the perceived usefulness and ease of use of business mobile applications. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with CEDIM employees and managers for a duration of thirty to forty-five minutes per interview, and then analyzed using thematic analysis. The results, as revealed in the verbatim transcripts, highlight five major themes : the positive perception of mobile applications, the factors promoting their adoption, the transformation of work practices, their effects on organizational performance, and the constraints of use. However, several constraints persist in the Malian context, including unreliable internet connections, power outages, the cost of digital equipment, and cybersecurity risks.

This research contributes to the literature on technology adoption in African SMEs by providing a qualitative understanding of the mechanisms of appropriation of professional mobile applications in the Malian context. Finally, it formulates recommendations regarding the strengthening of digital infrastructure, user training, and support for SMEs to foster sustainable digital transformation.

JEL Classification: M11, M15

Paper Type: Exploratory Qualitative Empirical Research