A knowledge-based SWOT-analysis system as an instrument for strategic planning in small and medium sized enterprises

Good performance within a company is the result of correct interaction of business management with its internal and external environment. The recognition of internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats, takes place on the basis of a SWOT-analysis. However, despite their importance, many companies often only have vague ideas of their competitive strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats. In this paper, the development of a knowledge-based system is described that can assist managers of small and medium sized companies in performing a SWOT-analysis. For our research purposes, we concentrated only on the identification of internal strengths and weaknesses. q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.