Many companies want to conduct more business and improve performance using electronic, computer-based and telecommunication-enabled business processes. However, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have little understanding of, and cannot comprehend, future technological developments. This paper presents the findings of a research project funded by the Centre for Enterprise in 2000-2001 into developing an e-business planning model for SMEs. The model architecture is top-down in the sense of moving from a high-level strategic appraisal of e-business opportunities in level 1 to the selection of particular e-business technologies in level 4; but it is also critical for a company to integrate the different levels of decision-making from the identification of business value to the implementation of relevant technologies in order to facilitate the delivery of products/services to customers. The paper also reports the findings of a case study conducted in a SME in order to illustrate how the e-business planning model proposed is applied in a practical context. This shows how the model can be used to generate an action plan for taking a business from its current position to a strategically desired state.
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