Assessing Business Managers' IT Competence in SMEs in Regional Australia: Preliminary Evidence from a New IT Competence instrument

The organisational benefits of business managers’ involvement in IT management activities are well documented. However, little relevant research has been reported. Building on the IT competencies model proposed by Bassellier, Reich and Benbasat (2001), a questionnaire was developed and empirically tested to assess the level of information technology (IT) competence of 83 business managers in small and medium-size Tasmanian firms. The findings report that the overall extent of IT competence in small Tasmanian firms is relatively high although the level varies across the different dimensions of IT competency. Influencing factors include organisation size, age, job level and work experience. It is hoped that the findings will assist organisations develop strategies to enhance the IT competence profile of their business personnel with a view to improving the competitive position and overall success of the firm.