A knowledge-based SWOT-analysis system as an instrument for strategic planning in small and medium sized enterprises

摘要

Good performance within a company is the result of correctinteraction of business management with its internal and externalenvironment. The recognition of internal strengths and weaknesses, aswell as external opportunities and threats, takes place on the basisof a SWOT-analysis. However, despite their importance, many companiesoften only have vague ideas of their competitive strengths andweaknesses, opportunities and threats. In this paper, the developmentof a knowledge-based system is described that can assist managers ofsmall and medium sized companies in performing a SWOT-analysis. Forour research purposes, we concentrated only on the identification ofinternal strengths and weaknesses.