Mobile Telecommunication Services and Small Businesses: a Case Study Approach

The Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) otherwise known as small businesses are recognized as important components that drive economic growth and create job opportunities. The continued success of these businesses is widely believed to be crucial for the development of the local economies they serve. Related to this is the global advancement in technology that introduces the use of mobile telecommunication services in running both large and small businesses. It is against this backdrop that this research investigated the impact of mobile telecommunication services on the activities of small businesses using a case study approach. The research covered a ten year period from 2000 to 2010 which permits the evaluation of pre and post mobile telephone service introduction periods. The findings of the research indicate that the usage of mobile telephone has impacted positively and significantly on the business activities of the small businesses with respect to operational efficiency, turnover and profitability.