Security quality of KMS and KMS adoption: The context of SMEs

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Knowledge is a source of competitive and strategic resource for many small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Securing knowledge assets through secured knowledge management systems (KMS) is a critical concern among SMEs. Due to the socio-technical nature of KMS, the security quality of KMS is an influential factor in KMS adoption by SMEs. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the effects of the security quality of KMS and the task-technology fit on KMS adoption among SMEs in Ghana. It further investigates whether or not the security quality of KMS affects the ease of use of KMS among SMEs. METHODS: Using a structured questionnaire, data were gathered from 281 IT professionals from 67 SMEs in Ghana. We used the technology acceptance model (TAM) to find out how security quality and task-technology fit (TTF) affect users’ acceptance of KMS. To facilitate the data collection process and to strictly focus on small and medium-sized enterprises, we excluded enterprises having 100 or more employees. The analyses used for this study focused on the key constructs and they included correlation, factor analysis, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The study found that both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness influence users’ behavioral intention to accept KMS. Perceived ease of use has a positive relationship with perceived usefulness. Also, the security quality of KMS was found to affect both perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. However, the effect of the relationship between the security quality of KMS and perceived ease of use is higher when moderated by TTF. CONCLUSIONS: The security quality of KMS is fundamental to strengthening knowledge as a source of competitive advantage for most enterprises. It is important for managers to recognize security quality as an opportunity rather than a threat to advance and sustain their competitiveness as well as ensuring knowledge-sharing success.