Using Critical Success Factors for Assessing Critical Activities in ERP Implementation within SMEs

Aim of this research is the investigation and analysis of the critical success factors (CSF) in the implementation of ERP systems within SMEs. Papers in the ERP research field have focused on successes and failures of implementing systems into large organizations. Within the highly differentiated set of computer based systems available, the ERP systems represent the most common solution adopted by large companies to pursue their strategies. On the contrary, until now small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have shown little interest in ERP systems due to the lack of internal competence and resources that characterize those companies. Nevertheless, now that ERP vendors’ offer shows a noteworthy adjustment to SMEs organizational and business characteristics it seems of a certain interest to study and deeply analyze the reasons that can inhibit or foster ERP adoption within SMEs. This approach cannot leave out of consideration the analysis of the CSFs in ERP implementation: despite their wide outline in the most qualified literature, very seldom these research efforts have been addressed to SMEs. This paper aims at proposing a methodology to support the small medium entrepreneur in identifying the critical factors to be monitored along the whole ERP adoption process.