Using ICT to improve SMEs performance: does the ClO matter?

Even though the influence of information and communication technologies (ICT) on business Performance has been widely investigated, researchers have come to contradictory results. There is no unanimity about a positive relationship between ICT use and company results, and it is also unclear which factors influence or determine this contribution. Furthermore, it is evenly recognized the importance of capable CIOs able to acquire the appropriate set of knowledge and managerial skills to lead the organization's effort in effectively using Information Technology. IS researchers have been widely studying both these issues, however, they have been mainly focused on large organizations overlooking small-medium size enterprises (SMEs), that present organizational peculiarities, besides financial constraints. The research model adopted in this study is based on two major constructs: the first one explores the relationship between the support of ICT to business process and the overall company performance. The second construct investigates whether CIO's characteristics and competences affect such relationship. Results show the existence of a positive influence of ICT on company performance and that CIOs and performance are only partially correlated. However, better results have always been found in presence of capable CIOs.