Extensive global research has shown that strategic management tools play significant role in successful business and its adaptive behaviour, not only in SME sector. Data from several studies suggest that the behaviour is dependent on national environment only. There is little published data on that problem on regional level. The purpose of this paper is to review recent research in the area of strategic management in SMEs and classify recent trends in that area. A case study of the Moravian-Silesian Region was used to explore differences in results in genera. This case study confirmed significant relationship between start-up motivation and strategic management tools use in SMEs. A low-cost tool like SWOT or brainstorming were significant for small business, while time and resource consuming tools (TQM, EVA) were significant for medium sized companies.