Covid-19 as a Driver Towards Technology Shift: A Focus on Kenya

Abstract

Covid-19 pandemic has had severe effects in economies, businesses and livelihoods. In fact, the pandemic has significantly slowed down all economies with World Health Organization (WHO) projecting that global trade may reduce by between 13% and 32% in 2020. In Kenya, service sector is the most hit sector, with learning institutions suspending physical learning, close to 80% of hotels suspending operations and small scale service providers leaning operations. However, this study is focused on the positive side of the pandemic. The paper documents technology shifts observed in Kenya during Covid-19 pandemic and identify, empirically, the operational benefits that could possibly be realized through such technologies. The study establishes that while Covid-19 had disastrous effects on businesses and individuals, the pandemic has pushed Kenyans and Kenyan organizations towards technology adoption as witnessed through technology shift during the period. This study serves as preliminary review. Its findings inform a full study that will focus on technology adoption throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Keywords: Covid -19, Technology Shift, Operational Advantages

DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-30-05

Publication date:October 31^st 2020