When the Opportunistic Adoption of Internet Technologies by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Segues into Strategic Use: Cases from a Developing Country Context

It has long been established that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are laggards in the adoption of information systems and technology. Further, when adoption does occur it is more opportunistic rather than strategic. Strategically, information systems (IS) are used in order to either lower the costs of production, coordination and transactions or to add value to the product, process or service. Against the background of the need to better understand SMEs and their use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), specifically Internet technologies, this paper highlights the cases of two SMEs whose opportunistic adoption of Internet technologies resulted in changes to their business models, target markets and increased business value, with technology becoming a key strategic driver for the companies.