Impact of the use of ERP systems on strategic dimensions of small and medium-sized businesses

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the impact of the use of ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems in small and medium-sized companies in the municipality of Patos de Minas. Using a survey adapted from Saccol et al. (2004), the study evaluated a series of strategic factors: customers and consumers, competitive rivalry, suppliers, organizational efficiency and effectiveness, and inter-organizational efficiency. The results showed a medium-to-low relevance of the system for the stated factors and confirm the literature, indicating smaller and greater strategic use for smaller (small) and larger (medium-sized) companies, respectively. In particular, the smallest differences between small and medium-sized companies are found in the competitive rivalry factor and the largest differences in the inter-organizational efficiency factor. We conclude that ERP systems are of medium importance for the strategic aspects of small and medium-sized companies but are the basis for further strategic support.