The Impact of Structured, Unstructured and Integrated Decision Support Systems on SME Economic Performance. An Empirical Study

This study investigates the impact that Information and Enterprise Systems have on economic performance in a sample of Greek SMEs. Furthermore, it analyses whether the adoption of unstructured decision support systems (DSS), structured decision systems (MIS) and enterprise application systems (ERP) are linked to increase the firm’s turnover in four economic sectors. The results of the study indicate that the systems which support the unstructured decision making (like DSS) and systems which integrate a related set of functions and business processes (like ERP) are positively associated with firm’s turnover. On the other hand, statistical analysis suggested that there was a negative relationship between the systems which support the structured decision making (like MIS) and firm’s economic performance. The empirical analysis is based on a joint methodology of fully structured questionnaires and personal interviews in 54 Greek SMEs at four different industrial Sectors (Other Services, Manufacturing, Trade and Hotels). Keywords— MIS, DSS, ERP, SME Performance.