The primary aim of the research is to investigate how Irish small
firms use Information Communications Technology (ICT), specifically
examining if it is an integrated aspect of the business or remains at the
periphery. The results of a survey of 48 owner-managers showed that an issue
arose in relation to the language used to describe ICT where respondents felt it
was difficult to keep current with the ever evolving technologies and the
number of interchangeable expressions used to describe it. The findings show
that the low level of integrated usage of ICT by owner-managers was in the
main related to insufficient knowledge and skills as to what ICT entails and a
lack of appreciation of the contribution that it can make to their business in the
short term. Challenges were encountered in updating and maintaining websites
and difficulty arose in accessing suitable external assistance with ICT
development