The Performance of Challenges Faced by SME in Managing Real-Time Information in the Inventory Management Process

Abstract

Managing real-time information is an important task for any organization regardless of the size. This is because real-time information is used as the basis for an organization to make decisions that will affect the business if the information obtained is inaccurate, slow and outdated. For SMEs, this is a great challenge as it faces capital constraints and outdated technological applications. Thus, the purpose of this study to examine the challenges faced by SMEs in managing the real-time information to their inventory management and the impact on the overall business performance. A qualitative method was adopted where the in-depth interview was using to extract the information. Based on the saturation principle, the respondent was selected specifically from the SMEs in food manufacturer based in Malacca Halal Hub area. The finding of this study has supported the previous study on the challenges and issue of real-time information facing by the SMEs. A notable finding in this research is that SMEs is employing a skilled worker to manage the absence of an information system to manage real-time information and still capable to generate a profit from the business. This study extended the previous finding and offer an opportunity for further exploration in this area.