Effects of Business Managers' Skills: A Study of ERP Strategic Alignment in Some Arab SMEs

Abstract

In this chapter, the authors introduce the key ideas related to strategic alignment and ICT in SMEs. They present the ERP strategic alignment in SMEs as an important investment but more problematic, discussing the challenges of ERP systems implementation in Arab SMEs by introducing the main studies conducted in the area. This literature review helps to understand the main enablers of ERP strategic alignment in this context. The intent of the chapter is to provide readers with a theoretical framework linking business managers' skills and interaction between business managers and IS managers to ERP strategic alignment as main chosen variables. This framework was tested in previous research conducted in Tunisian context and retested for this study in a Saudi context. Within this context, the authors hope the chapter can be helpful for researchers in ERP strategic alignment, mainly for students and professors in their academic activities.