2. STATE OF THE ART
The main advantages of an optimal use of AIS in SMEs are: better adaptation
to a changing environment, better management of arm's length transactions and a
high degree of competitiveness. There is also a boost to the dynamic nature of firms
with a greater flow of information between different staff levels and the
possibility of new business on the network and improved external relationships
for the firm, mainly with foreign customers accessed through the firm’s web. With
the existence of more intercommunication there are increased chances for
diversification of traditional businesses. Nonetheless, excessive use of these tools
may decouple the quality of interaction between workers and customers with a
consequent reduction in productivity. Therefore, there are authors who defend the
need for a profound change in firms’ organizational culture to make these
installations productive (Asaro, 2000; Gallivan and Srite, 2005; McGrath, 2006;
Nicolau and Bhattacharya, 2006).