ConclusionsThis research has thrown

Conclusions
This research has thrown some light onto the strategies for e-commerce being adopted by different types of small- to medium-sized businesses in an important region of the UK. A consistent pattern of differences is emerging. SMEs in the high technology and knowledge intensive sectors are notably advanced in the adoption and use of the Internet in their businesses, thus vindicating the proposition stated in the first research hypothesis (H1). This has implications for policy makers and advisors to SMEs in formulating strategies for supporting such firms. The needs of firms in different sectors appear not to be homogeneous and programmers directed adapted to the industry sector to some degree.