ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors explore some of the links between information and communication technology (ICT) adoption and business growth and relate them to the current policy debate on the adoption of ICTs. They argue that small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) have the capacity to develop the physical and human capital necessary to undertake effective adoption strategies. The authors suggest reasons for collaborative strategies being more effective than individual implementation of ICT adoption. It is suggested that collaboration might take place in either industry based or local groups Such groupings could behave in a variety of ways and so there is discussion of the possible effects of different types of organizational form upon behaviour. This leads into a presentation of the results of their survey of ICT use in rural Scottish businesses, and a review of the behaviour of five emerging internet forums. Among rural SME that are typically externally oriented, we count high value-added food processing businesses.
