SMEs in South Africa : the era of adopting mobile payment solutions

Abstract

This research paper is the result of analysis into critical factors impacting the adoption and wide spread usage of mobile payments by South African small medium enterprises (SMEs). The research involved a qualitative research approach utilising interviews as a data collection method. The findings from the interviews with the SMEs identified critical factors and themes to be considered regarding mobile payment usage and adoption by SMEs. The findings revealed that the factors impacting mobile payment adoption by South African SMEs were risk, convenience, ease of use, trust in service providers, system features, device features and issues, cost of fees, company image and credibility, Bluetooth connection, customer service and integrated systems. The research gives key recommendations in the form of a framework for adoption of mobile payments by South African SMEs.