Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) enables organizations to align information technology investments with business objectives; however, evidence of its adoption determinants and value outcomes in resource-constrained small and medium enterprises (SMEs) remains limited. This study examines the factors influencing SISP adoption and the value outcomes realized by SMEs in developing economies using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework, extended with outcome constructs. Employing a qualitative multi-case study design grounded in critical realism, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 participants across three SMEs in Northern Ghana. The findings reveal that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions collectively shape SISP adoption intentions, with social influence emerging as particularly salient in collectivist business contexts. The identified value outcomes include operational efficiency, enhanced decision-making, improved resource allocation, and increased profitability. Technical feasibility mediates the relationship between adoption determinants and value realization, whereas resource constraints moderate these relationships. This study contributes to theory by extending the UTAUT from individual technology acceptance to organizational strategic planning practices in SME contexts and provides empirically grounded insights into SISP adoption dynamics in developing economies. Practically, the findings guide SME managers to prioritize human capital development and leverage social networks for effective SISP implementation.
AborJ., & QuarteyP. (2010). Issues in SME development in Ghana and South Africa. International Research Journal of Finance and Economics, 39(6), 215–228.
2.
AjzenI. (1991). Theory of planned behaviour. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
3.
AjzenI., & FishbeinM. (1970). The prediction of behavior from attitudinal and normative variables. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 6(4), 466–487.
4.
AyyoubA. A., KhlaifZ. N., ShamaliM., EidehB. A., AssaliA., HattabM. K., BarhamK. A., & BsharatT. R. K. (2025). Advancing higher education with GenAI: Factors influencing educator AI literacy. Frontiers in Education, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1530721
5.
BagumaR., MkobaE., NahabweM., MubangiziM. G., AmutorineM., & WanyamaD. (2023). Towards an artificial intelligence readiness index for Africa. Communications in Computer and Information Science, 1852, 285–299.
6.
Baidoo-AnuD., AsamoahD., AmoakoI., & MahamaI. (2024). Exploring student perspectives on generative artificial intelligence in higher education learning. Discover Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-024-00025-3
7.
BakerT., & NelsonR. E. (2005). Creating something from nothing: Resource construction through entrepreneurial bricolage. Administrative Science Quarterly, 50(3), 329–366.
8.
BechorT., NeumannS., ZviranM., & GlezerC. (2010). A contingency model for estimating success of strategic information systems planning. Information & Management, 47(1), 17–29.
9.
BeckerG. S. (1964). Human capital: A theoretical and empirical analysis. University of Chicago Press.
10.
BozanK., ParkerK., & DaveyB. (2016). A closer look at the social influence construct in the UTAUT model: An institutional theory based approach to investigate health IT adoption patterns of the elderly. In Proceedings of the 49th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (pp. 3105–3114).
11.
BrynjolfssonE., & McAfeeA. (2014). The second machine age: Work, progress, and prosperity in a time of brilliant technologies. WW Norton & Company.
12.
ChaoC. M. (2019). Factors determining the behavioral intention to use mobile learning: An application and extension of the UTAUT model. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1652.
13.
ChenD. Q., MockerM., PrestonD. S., & TeubnerA. (2010). Information systems strategy: Reconceptualisation, measurement, and implications. MIS Quarterly, 34(2), 233–259.
14.
ChenL., TaoS., & ZhouZ. (2019). Smart card-based E-cash system in resource-constrained environments. IEEE Access, 7, 130279–130289.
15.
DavisF. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340.
16.
DeLoneW. H., & McLeanE. R. (2003). The DeLone and McLean model of information systems success: A ten-year update. Journal of Management Information Systems, 19(4), 9–30.
17.
DuhanS. (2007). A capabilities based toolkit for strategic information systems planning in SMEs. International Journal of Information Management, 27(5), 352–367.
18.
DwivediY. K., RanaN. P., JeyarajA., ClementM., & WilliamsM. D. (2019). Re-examining the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT): Towards a revised theoretical model. Information Systems Frontiers, 21(3), 719–734.
19.
GarudR., & KarnøeP. (2003). Bricolage versus breakthrough: Distributed and embedded agency in technology entrepreneurship. Research Policy, 32(2), 277–300.
20.
GroverV., & SegarsA. H. (2005). An empirical evaluation of stages of strategic information systems planning. Information & Management, 42(5), 761–779.
21.
KamariotouM., & KitsiosF. (2017). Strategic information systems planning SMEs performance outcomes. In Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Operational Research (pp. 67–72).
22.
KamariotouM., & KitsiosF. (2019). Strategic information systems planning. In Advanced methodologies and technologies in business operations and management (pp. 535–546). IGI Global.
23.
KearnsG. S., & SabherwalR. (2006). Strategic alignment between business and information technology. Journal of Management Information Systems, 23(3), 129–162.
24.
KingW. R., & TeoT. S. H. (2000). Assessing the impact of proactive versus reactive modes of strategic information systems planning. Omega, 28(6), 667–679.
25.
KwarkyeS. (2025). Ghana’s AI strategy: Opportunities and challenges for sustainable development. African Technology Policy Studies.
26.
LedererA. L., & SethiV. (1988). The implementation of strategic information systems planning methodologies. MIS Quarterly, 12(3), 445–461.
27.
LevyM., PowellP., & GalliersR. (1999). Assessing information systems strategy development frameworks in SMEs. Information & Management, 36(5), 247–261.
28.
McLeanE. R., & SodenJ. V. (1977). Strategic planning for MIS. Wiley.
29.
MhlangaD. (2023). Artificial intelligence in the industry 4.0, and its impact on poverty, innovation, infrastructure development, and the sustainable development goals. Sustainability, 13(11), 5788.
30.
MilesM. B., & HubermanA. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Sage Publications.
31.
MingersJ., MutchA., & WillcocksL. (2013). Critical realism in information systems research. MIS Quarterly, 37(3), 795–802.
32.
NewkirkH. E., & LedererA. L. (2006). The effectiveness of strategic information systems planning under environmental uncertainty. Information & Management, 43(4), 481–501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2005.12.001
33.
Oxford Insights. (2024). Government AI Readiness Index 2024. Oxford Insights.
34.
OwusuA., & Broni JrF. E. (2020). Strategic information systems planning implementation and use in a developing economy. In Handbook of research on managing information systems in developing economies (pp. 1–27). IGI Global.
35.
ParasuramanA. (2000). Technology Readiness Index (TRI): A multiple-item scale used to measure readiness to embrace new technologies. Journal of Service Research, 2(4), 307–320.
36.
PeppardJ., & WardJ. (2004). Beyond strategic information systems: Towards an IS capability. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 13(2), 167–194.
37.
RahiS., MansourM. M. O., AlghizzawiM., & AlnaserF. M. (2019). Integration of the UTAUT model in the internet banking adoption context. Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, 13(3), 411–435.
38.
SantoroG., FerrarisA., GiacosaE., & GiovandoG. (2018). How SMEs engage in open innovation. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 9(2), 561–574.
39.
SriteM., & KarahannaE. (2006). The role of espoused national cultural values in technology acceptance. MIS Quarterly, 30(3), 679–704.
40.
VenkateshV., MorrisM. G., DavisG. B., & DavisF. D. (2003). User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425–478.
41.
VenkateshV., ThongJ. Y., & XuX. (2016). Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology: A synthesis and the road ahead. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 17(5), 328–376.
42.
VolkoffO., & StrongD. M. (2013). Critical realism and affordances: Theorizing IT-associated organizational change processes. MIS Quarterly, 37(3), 819–834.
43.
WeinerB. J. (2009). A theory of organizational readiness for change. Implementation Science, 4(1), 1–9.
44.
YinR. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). Sage Publications.
