Strategic management of information in small enterprises of the hotel sector: improvement of internal information management

Abstract

Proposals are formulated to improve strategic management of information in small enterprises. Enterprises of the hotel sector, four small and one medium sized in the same region, were studied empirically in a comparative study of cases. Fieldwork identified the information utilized by managers to analyze internal aspects of the enterprise as well as data collection, processing and distribution procedures for decision making. Although the enterprises already had information systems, improvement is possible with formalization adjusted in accordance to their size. The proposals had two objectives: to help managers systematize identification of needs, collection, processing, distribution and use of strategic information (social management/individual action) and to consider the possibility of joint action together with institutional actors such as the public power, funding institutions for small companies and universities that could improve the access of managers to information.