Using soft OR in a small company – The case of Kirby

High demands are placed on traditional small companies to make technological adaptations and push forward global digital markets. For small companies, this is not a simple task; they lack knowledge about the technology options and on strategic management of information technology (IT). This paper discusses the practical experiences of applying soft OR methodologies to a small company facing this complex situation. Applications of SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis and the strategic choice approach were made in the company for evaluation of such methodological support to a small company's learning process. It is concluded that soft OR can be an important factor for developing IT strategic management in small companies.