The Use of Information and Communication Technology in Small Swedish Enterprises

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to highlight the use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in small Swedish enterprises (1-30 employees) located at different places in Sweden. The results are based on personal interviews with representatives of the enterprises and information collected about the communication flows of the enterprises. The survey comprised different means of communication : telephone, facsimile (fax), mail, e-mail, EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), video conference and business trips. The telephone (including the cellular telephone) was found to be the major form of communication in the small enterprises. Mail and fax also played a role along with personal contacts. The maintaining of social contact with clients and suppliers appears to be very important. The choice of communication media is dependent on the type of information to be transmitted, who the receiver is and in what phase the contact is taken. The transmission of information differs depending on the lines of business and the geographical spread of the contacts. Communication in the manufacturing business takes place within geographically limited areas where face-to-face contacts and the telephone are of great importance. A commonly used form of communication in international contacts is the fax in combination with the telephone. The number of contacts in non-manufacturing enterprises is greater than in manufacturing enterprises, and also mainly— locally based. The developments in the field of telecommunications, for example the cellular telephone and the service functions of the AXE-switchboard, favour people working in small enterprises ; they can be more easily reached and their flexibility increases.