ADOPT DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES OR SHIP OUT OF BUSINESS: COVID-19 EXPERIENCES OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTREPRENEURS IN THE BULAWAYO METROPOLITAN PROVINCE, ZIMBABWE

This interpretive research study sought to ascertain the technological challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The thrust of the study was qualitative and semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 30 purposively selected SME owners. Through thematic analysis, the findings revealed that SMEs without technological gadgets faced an array of challenges such as poor communication with business partners, inability to view business transactions, delay in making payments, high operational costs, difficulty in advertising products, and failure to place orders on time. From the research, it was concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the digital divide amongst SMEs, as those without the technological gadgets and the requisite skills were either forced to close or had minimal business transactions. The study recommended that deliberate policies be put in place to equip SME owners with technological gadgets and internet facilities at subsidised rates and offer free training to prepare SMEs for the digital world.  Article visualizations: