The objective of this chapter is to emphasize issues connected with adoption of information
and communication technology (ICT) as a strategic tool contributing to further organisational
growth. This understanding is based on the results of a qualitative analysis of a group of small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Gradual development of a group of 30 organisations has
been monitored over the last fifteen years during their co-operation with the Technical University of
Liberec. These organisations have hosted one-year student placements where students as part of
their Bachelor degree course undertake a long term work experience enabling them to integrate
the practical and theoretical aspects of their course. During this long period SMEs developed and
passed through the different levels of changes that impact their size and style of management. The
research focused on SME management‘s approach to ICT, its utilisation for competitive advantage
and its relation to and defining of business and information strategy. Other aspects of the study
looked at the effect of ICT on organisational performance, knowledge and skills of the employees,
training and organisational culture.
The analysed organisations were divided into five groups according to the level of their develo-
pment during their business existence. Each group has its specific way of managing the organisa-
tion, its organisational structure, presence or absence of the corporate strategy, level of utilisation
of ICT, internal and external integration ICT supporting processes in the organisation and way of
utilisation of knowledge of the employees. The objective of this division is to emphasize changes
of the management information needs and better understand their approach to ICT. The results
indicate that successful and growing companies have gradually established business, information
and knowledge strategies and use ICT as a strategic advantage