Analytical Procedure for the Customization and Implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Colombia: A Design Science Research Approach

摘要

The quest for better customization and implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is wellknown in many empirical research studies as critically essential to the rapid adoption in the Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME) sector. This need is greater in the SME sector as it has been pretty slow to be embraced in developing countries and to understand why the SME sector lags behind other industries in the rapid adoption of ERP for implementation. This study investigates the Colombian SME sector, analyze and evaluate the main factors SMEs consider in their quest to make optimal ERP selections. The paper develops a customized integrated model of the main criteria that might affect the selection of an appropriate ERP package for SMEs. The model was tested using the Delphi three stage method to evaluate the applicability of the variables within the model from 260 expert participants. The results showed that all the variables are applicable in making ERP decisions for implementation in SMEs.