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The role of information technology in corporate strategy of small and medium enterprises

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  • María Nieto
  • Zulima Fernández

Abstract

The crisis of the new economy might have cast doubt on the usefulness of the Internet for business activities. However, it is unquestionable that the possibilities offered by Internet-based technologies in terms of information processing, transfer and collection enable the firm to improve market knowledge and the relationship with clients and suppliers. This work explores, theoretically and empirically, the possibilities offered by the Internet to facilitate the internationalization process of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as well as to improve the relationship with other firms within the same value chain. Using a wide representative sample of Spanish SMEs, the empirical analysis confirms the benefits of the Internet in both cases. Copyright Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. 2005

Suggested Citation

  • María Nieto & Zulima Fernández, 2005. "The role of information technology in corporate strategy of small and medium enterprises," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 3(4), pages 251-262, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:jinten:v:3:y:2005:i:4:p:251-262
    DOI: 10.1007/s10843-006-7854-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Marieme Chouki & Mohamed Talea & Chafik Okar & Razane Chroqui, 2020. "Barriers to Information Technology Adoption Within Small and Medium Enterprises: A Systematic Literature Review," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 17(01), pages 1-42, February.
    2. Tobias Kollmann & Julia Christofor, 2014. "International entrepreneurship in the network economy: Internationalization propensity and the role of entrepreneurial orientation," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 43-66, March.
    3. Magaly Gaviria-Marin & Jorge Matute-Vallejo & Hugo Baier-Fuentes, 2021. "The effect of ICT and higher-order capabilities on the performance of Ibero-American SMEs," Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, Springer, vol. 27(4), pages 414-450, December.
    4. Dolores Añón Higón & Daniel Bonvin, 2024. "Digitalization and trade participation of SMEs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 62(3), pages 857-877, March.
    5. Martin Hannibal, 2020. "The influence of additive manufacturing on early internationalization: considerations into potential avenues of IE research," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 473-491, December.
    6. Serrano, Raúl & Acero, Isabel, 2015. "Rethinking Entry Mode Choice of Agro-Exporters: The Effect of the Internet," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 18(3), pages 1-18, September.
    7. Nader Ale Ebrahim & Shamsuddin Ahmed & Zahari Taha, 2010. "SMEs; Virtual Research and Development (R&D) Teams and New Product Development: A Literature Review," Post-Print hal-00593362, HAL.
    8. Nader Ale Ebrahim & Shamsuddin Ahmed & Zahari Taha, 2009. "Virtual R & D teams in small and medium enterprises: A literature review," Post-Print hal-00593358, HAL.
    9. Francioni, Barbara & Musso, Fabio & Pagano, Alessandro, 2012. "Il ruolo dei consorzi per la valorizzazione del Made in Italy nel mercato indiano [The role of export consortia for the promotion of Made in Italy products in the Indian market]," MPRA Paper 49757, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Dec 2012.
    10. Dolores Añon Higón & Juan A. Daniel Bonvin, 2023. "Do digitalization spurs SMEs’ participation in foreign markets?," Working Papers 2307, Department of Applied Economics II, Universidad de Valencia.

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