The Role of Internet in Supporting Knowledge-Based Strategies of Enterpreneurs in Countries in Transition: From the E-business Myths to the Case Evidence from Croatian High-Tech Industry

The Internet can be viewed as both a powerful companion and a metaphor of the post-modern social arrangement. However, there has been considerable discussion regarding the influence of the Internet to the business world and economic development. On one hand, it has been claimed that "the Internet changes everything", while the traditionalists argue that the Internet is "just an another technology", altering just some elements of the industrial context in which the firms compete. The case evidence from a global software manufacturer entering the Croatian market provides the illustration of increasing both one's own competitiveness, and the competitive ability of the local economy. Therefore, the authors warn that the global high-tech enterprises can foster entrepreneurship in countries in transition by bringing the best global business practices to the local market, istead of "milking out" the local partners and customers.