eTransformation journey for SMEs

To survive in a globally competitive environment business need to change their process and make use of information systems to make processes more effective and well integrated. A change in the globally competitive environment requires businesses to modify and electronically transform. This process, eTransformation, requires businesses to change along a number of dimensions mainly Strategy, Structure, Tasks and Processes and IT Tools and Systems. Our study indicates that successful eTransformation requires incremental progression within dimensions across stages. First SMEs require changes in organisational Strategy - company environment, their goals and objectives as well as their products, services and operations; then Structure - company departments and divisions followed by Business Tasks and Processes - automation, streamlining and integration. Only after the above three dimensions have been achieved, companies can change along IT Tools and Systems Dimension which involves selecting appropriate tools and system as well as assuring web presence, Internet use and security. To identify how SMEs (Small to Medium Enterprises) are planning to eTransform we interviewed 17 SMEs. Our study indicates that businesses foremost identify that they should invest into IT (Information Technology) and related tools and systems and do not perceive other factors such as company Strategy, Structure or Business Processes to be determinants or predecessors of a successful eTransformation journey.