Roadmap for Successful Information Technology

Transfer for Small Businesses

Mike Chesher
Bournemouth University
Fern Barrow
Talbot Campus
Poole
Dorset BH12 5BB
Tel: +44 (0)1202 595494
mchesher@bournemouth.ac.uk
Walter Skok
Business School
Kingston University
Kingston Hill
Kingston upon Thames
Surrey KT2 7LB
Tel: +44 (0)20 8547 2000
wskok@kingston.ac.uk
ABSTRACT
It is recognised that information and communications
technologies (ICT) have the potential to radically transform
company operations [4], particularly when the company belongs
to the set of small/medium enterprises (SMEs) [9]. However, one
of the major obstacles in effeeting a successful transformation is
the lack of knowledge, on the part of SME management and staff,
regarding the best way to undertake the transformation. This
knowledge is becoming harder to acquire, particularly in the fast
moving electronic commerce sector [4], [7], [8], [10].
This paper is concerned with how SMEs in the United Kingdom
can acquire the knowledge to make use of Internet technology. It
reviews a number of national and local initiatives, both private
and government sponsored that are currently in place to assist
SMEs in making best use of the Internet.
The paper demonstrates that new opportunities are becoming
available for small businesses to develop important new IT-based
applications that make use oflnternet technologies. Furthermore,
by adopting open Internet technologies that are increasingly
becoming the business norm, SMEs are able to 'future proof'
themselves against obsolescence and 'throw away' development.
The authors conclude by proposing a roadmap that an SME could
follow when planning and managing such major programmes.
Keywords
SME, Technology Transfer, Electronic Commerce, Internet, ICT
1. INTRODUCTION
Small businesses are highly important to the UK economy. As an
example in Surrey alone (a county of 1 million people, located in
the South East of England and bordering on greater London),
80% of the companies employ fewer than 50 people. Since the
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European Commission [1] defines small businesses with between
10 to 99 employees and medium businesses with between 10 to
499 employees, then approximately 90% of the 70,000 companies
in Surrey can be classified as small/medium enterprises (SMEs).
As the use of IT is becoming more critical to the operation of
SMEs, it was decided to focus this research towards
understanding the barriers that exist, and more specifically, the
support provisions that are available to assist SMEs acquire the
necessary IT skills to get started [6].
Therefore, the primary issues to be addressed in this research were
firstly to understand the growing use of information and
communications technologies (ICT) by the small business sector
and how this can assist in achieving improved business
performance. Secondly, an examination of the support provisions
available to assist small businesses acquire the necessary ICT
skills was undertaken.
The methodology chosen for this research was an interview
programme supported by a literature review. The interviews
provided access to a wide representation of experience and
interests of individuals working with SMEs drawn from training,
education, business support agencies, research units and
practitioners.
Note: The term ICT and IT are viewed as being synonymous,
although the public sector seem to prefer to use the term ICT.
Since the first named researcher was engaged on a project with the
Surrey Training and Enterprise Council (STEC) and was able to
gain access to appropriate people to interview, it was decided to
further focus this SME research in the context of Surrey.
1.1 Surrey Economic Partnership (SEP)
Arising from the economic audit of Surrey conducted in 1996
[16], it was decided to establish the Surrey Economic Partnership
(SEP). The purposes of SEP were:
1~1 To provide a balanced approach to meeting the needs of the
economy and the environment.
Q To develop a clear business voice able to communicate
effectively with policy makers at all levels.
Q To improve communication between all parties interested in
the development of the economy.
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