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In recent years, the evolution and application of information technology (IT) have enabled large enterprises to gain the capability of contacting clients directly via e-Commerce technology. In order to cooperate with large firms, SMEs need to incorporate information systems into their operations. Consequently, SMEs should improve their organizational structure and operational business processes by constantly strengthening and aligning their business partners within fast changing markets, while also being keenly responsive to external challenges (Iacovoui et al., 1995; Thong & Yap, 1995).
In order to cope with these aforementioned future challenges, SMEs must aggressively adopt newer market ideas, be sensitive to advanced technology, equip themselves with better, innovative solutions to maintain their core competencies, values and norms, and focus on future research and development issues (Adams et al., 1992; Ballantine et al., 1998; Grandon, 2004; Thong, 2001). SMEs not only face a highly competitive business environment, but they are also restricted by such factors as existing financial constraints, lack of access to expert knowledge, and an exposure to external pressures (Chwelos et al., 2001; Houben et al., 1999; Welsh & White, 1981). SMEs usually lack sufficient experience in the management of IT and information system professionals (Cragg & King, 1993; Iacovou et al., 1995). Even the SMEs that are willing to recruit experienced information system professionals have trouble retaining them on a full time basis (Gable, 1991). Furthermore, although factors such as technology, time, and human resources may not be major constraints for large organizations, this remain the main resource issue in SMEs implementation and management of their business plans and development. As a result, organizational theories that apply to large enterprises are not likely to be applicable to SMEs’. Prior literature also supports that influencing factors for large enterprises to adopt new information systems may not be applicable to SMEs (Grandon, 2004; Raymond, 1985; Riemenschneider et al., 2003; Thong, 2001; Yap et al., 1992).
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is an information systems technology and concept that was developed and initiated in the 1990’s. ERP systems have proven to be useful solutions in integrating business processes and resources with the enterprises’ operational and management strategies (Amoako-Gyampah & Salam, 2004; Davenport, 1998; Holsapple & Sena, 2005; Klaus, Rosemann, & Gable, 2000; Markus et al., 2000; Sarker & Lee, 2003). Several potential tangible and intangible benefits of applying ERP technology to businesses include such items as: improving organizational performance; understanding a range of functionalities not catered to in the existing system; increasing returns from the implemented ERP systems; streamlining an organization’s internal processes; lowering costs for developing an ERP that more accurately reflects business needs; improved capability to react to a changing environment; and improved customer satisfaction related to services rendered or products manufactured (Chang & Gable, 2002; Davenport, 2000; Li, 1999; Rajagopal, 2002).