Critical Factors on Information Technology Acceptance and Use: An Analysis on Small and Medium Brazilian Clothing Industries

The increasing business competitiveness leads industries to differentiate themselves in terms of technology. The insertion of information systems in their structures figure as an element of competitive leverage and operational and financial performance increase. Industrial companies face, however, difficulties regarding the use of these systems in their environments, causing a scenario of low computerization. This scenario is observed in the clothing industries of the Ceara State, unit of analysis of this research, which seeks to investigate the critical factors for the use of information systems in these companies. The application of a survey instrument, along with interviews with industrialists and literature review were used as sources of information gathering to reach that goal. The research is structured based on existing theoretical models in the literature, which have different dimensions related to critical factors of information systems use. As conclusions, aspects of knowledge transfer between the user company and the software provider shows up as critical factors, as well as other environmental characteristics of the user firms.