Internet et performance de l’entreprise: Étude de l’organisation industrielle de 104PME en Loire-Atlantique

What is the influence between Internet and the enterprise performance? This study presents the relationship between the Internet applications (web, business intelligence, e-commerce, internal communication, cross-companies cooperation) and growth and profit of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). If a direct “impact” is tested, an indirect relationship is nevertheless submitted to a test through intermediary variables i.e. industrial organization according to Pavitt (1984) and the structure. The study of 104SMEs in Loire-Atlantique (France) did not find any direct “impact” of Internet applications on enterprise performance. On the other hand, an indirect influence was found, especially through the specific use of Internet bySMEs belonging to “mass production”, “specialized supplier” and “high tech” industries.