Title:	ASSESSING ICT USAGE IN INDONESIAN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES TOWARDS POVERTY ALLEVIATION USING SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS ASSETS
Author(s):	Fathia Prinastiti Sunarso
ISBN:	978-989-8533-67-8
Editors:	Piet Kommers and Guo Chao Peng
Year:	2017
Edition:	Single
Keywords:	Poverty alleviation, SMEs, livelihood assets, ICT
Type:	Full Paper
First Page:	95
Last Page:	102
Language:	English
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Full Contents:	click to dowload
Paper Abstract:	Poverty alleviation is one of the most pressing agenda that have been listed explicitly in many international development goals. In Indonesia, the establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has been long associated with economic growth and development, eventually resulting in poverty reduction. Despite its dominance in domestic economic activities, Indonesian SMEs are still facing many problems, such as lack of information and technological support, inhibited financial access, and difficulties in marketing and sales. Some ICT initiatives have been underway to address these problems and to enhance Indonesian SMEs. Using sustainable livelihood assets pentagon, we examine how ICT affects the five capitals that are needed to sustain SMEs in the long run. It is found that while some government-led and SMEs-led initiatives have been taken to advance SMEs in social, financial, and physical capital, some other livelihood assets such as human and natural capital are still left far behind. It is then must be understood that ICT itself is not a solution, but rather an enabler to enhance SMEs’ sustainability.
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