SME Flexibility and the Role of Information Systems

Whether SMEs really do exhibit flexibility and if their use of information technology enhances or inhibits such flexibility is investigated.

Abstract

Small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) are a major component of all economies and are generally considered to be flexible, adaptive organisations. Although lagging behind their larger counterparts, SMEs are beginning to invest in information systems. Using data derived from a set of manufacturing SMEs located in the U.K., this paper investigates whether SMEs really do exhibit flexibility and if their use of information technology enhances or inhibits such flexibility.