SME

Technology-Roadmapping (TR) is mainly used by large companies for strategic technology planning. As the method was developed in this context, no specific method exists for technology planning in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME). To use the method in SME, the method has to be adapted to their specific needs and resources. In this paper a TR method adopted for the use in SME is presented. To develop the method, the requirements of SME on TR were identified. Existing TR methods were scanned and a value benefit analysis was carried out. The identified TR method most suitable for SME was optimized with elements from other TR methods.

To prepare employees for structural changes within the organization is crucial for the competitiveness of an enterprise. Pretty often changes in an organization are enabled and driven by technological innovations, e.g. information and communications technologies. The arising information and qualification deficit of the employees has to be faced with respect to the changed organizational environment. In this article we describe how these effects can be faced with the methodology of business simulation games.

Organizational learning offers a good possibility for enterprises to compete with the dynamics of the market. Under certain conditions, process integrated education not only leads to process optimization in the firms, but also to the beginning of organizational learning. This is of great importance particularly to small and medium sized enterprises, since they normally lack appropriate structures.

Incentives for self control in enterprises can only be successful when integrated by coordination. For this, harmonious concepts and “new” mechanisms of cooperation have to be developed. That topic is discussed in this article.

Organizational Learning offers a good possibility for enterprises to compete with the dynamics of the market. Under certain conditions, process integrated education not only leads to process optimization in firms, but also to the beginning of organizational learning. This is of great importance particularly to small and medium sized enterprises, since they normally lack appropriate structures.

The article describes an integrated approach for the introduction and continuous management of e-business scenarios and applications in SME. This model enriches existing and publicly available consulting approaches with phases for optimizing business processes, the implementation and introduction of e-business applications and a continous process improvement.