ABSTRACT
There is an apparent dichotomy in the development of SMEs. For a few of the most successful SMEs, growth rates seem to be accelerating as they pursue opportunities across the world at an ever-faster pace, driven and supported by the latest advances in information and communications technology. For many other SMEs, no matter where in the world they are situated, competition seems to increase. SMEs that have had a traditional and secure niche in the local business community are increasingly coming under attack from worldwide competition. It seems that no matter how small and specialized the local grocery or bookstore is, it has become part of the global market and has to compete with the global giants, such as Wal-Mart and Amazon.com.
