ABSTRACT
The technological innovation associated with the Internet has made it imperative for many companies to have an Internet strategy. The Internet is a global network of interlinked computers operating on a standard protocol which allows data to be transferred between otherwise incompatible machines. Participants on the Internet include individuals, companies, governments, universities, research establishments and many others. Commercial uses of the Internet have become the fastest growing part of the World Wide Web (WWW). At a strategic level the Internet presents a challenge to a business’s activities in the current context, and presents the need to plan strategy for a future that will be even more Internet-dominated than today’s competitive environment. There are potentially enormous opportunities for Internet based strategies, for both new and established firms. The Internet can be a powerful source of competitive advantage in global markets and increasing numbers of companies are developing Internet-based strategies to support overall business development (Hamill and Gregory, 1997, p. 11).
