Abstract
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is a vital investment that can significantly affect future competitiveness and performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Selecting the best desirable ERP software covering both qualitative and quantitative factors has been the most critical problem for a long time. On the other hand, multiple criteria decision making has been found to be a useful approach to analyze conflicting factors. Qualitative criteria are often accompanied by ambiguities and vagueness. This makes fuzzy and grey logic become more natural approaches to handle this kind of problem. This paper presents a new approach for the selection of SME-specific ERP systems. Firstly, criteria for SMEs in China to evaluate the most suitable ERP system are put forward using group-discussing and anonymous questionnaire methods. An effective and practical algorithm, which is integrated of modified Delphi, analytic hierarchy process, fuzzy comprehensive evaluation and grey relational analysis, is utilized to convert the qualitative description to quantitative data to select the most appropriate alternative in the presence of vagueness and uncertainty. Finally, the potential use of the proposed model is illustrated through a case study.
Highlights
Severe market competition has changed the business environment dramatically
Each expert was given specific responsibilities to confirm the weights of the criteria
The information systems (ISs) representatives were selected according to the same criteria except that exposure to three business areas was replaced with exposure to three systems analysis and development processes
Summary
Severe market competition has changed the business environment dramatically. As a result, companies must reduce total costs, maximize return on investment, shorten lead times, and increase responsiveness to customer demands (Wang et al 2015). Globalization and a competitive business environment have driven companies to invest considerable resources in the implementation of ERP systems (Ahmad, Cuenca 2013). Organizations deploy such systems to realize many intangible and tangible benefits and for strategic reasons. ERP systems were mainly implemented in large companies; small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are crucial to many economies. Suppliers have recently begun to offer SME-specific ERPs, and the adoption of this initiative in such enterprises has been catching up with that in large companies. SMEs differ significantly from large organizations; an increasing number of such enterprises implement ERPs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
