How can SMEs benefit from big data? Challenges and a path forward

Big data is big news, and large companies in all sectors are making significant advances in their customer relations, product selection and development and consequent profitability through using this valuable commodity. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have proved themselves to be slow adopters of the new technology of big data analytics and are in danger of being left behind. In Europe, SMEs are a vital part of the economy, and the challenges they encounter need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. This paper identifies barriers to SME uptake of big data analytics and recognises their complex challenge to all stakeholders, including national and international policy makers, IT, business management and data science communities. The paper proposes a big data maturity model for SMEs as a first step towards an SME roadmap to data analytics. It considers the ‘state-of-the-art’ of IT with respect to usability and usefulness for SMEs and discusses how SMEs can overcome the barriers preventing them from adopting existing solutions. The paper then considers management perspectives and the role of maturity models in enhancing and structuring the adoption of data analytics in an organisation. The history of total quality management is reviewed to inform the core aspects of implanting a new paradigm. The paper concludes with recommendations to help SMEs develop their big data capability and enable them to continue as the engines of European industrial and business success. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Tracing the Clouds. A research taxonomy of cloud-ERP in SMEs

Cloud computing is an enabler and accelerator of digital transformation, which has brought many advantages that only large companies had before for any start-up and small firm could benefit. Cloud-based computing in the form of SaaS (Software as a Service) has given rise to a revolutionary new way of delivering software applications via the Internet on a pay-per-use basis. Cloud-ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solutions have become more affordable, easier to implement, simpler to maintain, and thus especially suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which have limited resources and may not be willing to invest in on-premise solutions. Employing this technology empowers integrated management of business processes and has the potential to add technical and strategic business value for small businesses. Given the claimed significance of SMEs in a structure of the world economy, we embarked on a detailed study of the existing published literature to determine the status quo of research on cloud-ERP technology in SMEs and how it has evolved in terms of quantity, content, and publication outlets. This is achieved by systematically reviewing 74 articles from 43 journals and 22 conferences published between 1 January 2010 and 30 June 2019. Using the ERP life-cycle-based framework by Esteves and Pastor (1999), articles are classified according to six life-cycle phases: adoption decision, acquisition, implementation, use and maintenance, evolution, and retirement. The findings, derived from a meta-analysis, illustrate that while current literature and studies related to the adoption decision phase are very rich, research on other phases of the ERP life cycle lacks strong empirical validation, due to a limited amount of publications. This study presents a comprehensive, structured literature review on cloud-based ERP adoption among SMEs and provides both academics and practitioners with a holistic view of the state of the current body of knowledge on the topic along with an understanding of how cloud-ERP in SMEs research is evolving

Exploring the challenges and opportunities of big data in SMEs: A bibliometric analysis

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the challenges and opportunities associated with the implementation of big data in small and medium-sized enterprises. The main findings of this study, based on a bibliometric analysis using Elsevier Scopus as a search engine and Vos viewer to analyze the results, demonstrates that big data analytics enables SMEs to improve financial performance and operational efficiency, become more innovative and able to make more informed decisions. Thus, enabling SMEs to achieve stable growth and gain competitiveness in the market. This study results from the synthesis of existing literature, which provides useful information and practical recommendations for SMEs, policy makers and researchers. The results help to understand the decisive factors of big data adoption in SMEs and paves the way for future research in this area.O objetivo desta tese é investigar os desafios e as oportunidades associados à implementação de big data nas pequenas e médias empresas. As principais conclusões deste estudo, baseadas numa análise bibliométrica, que utiliza o Elsevier Scopus como motor de pesquisa e o Vos viewer para analisar os resultados, demonstram que o big data analytics permite às PMEs melhorar o desempenho financeiro e a eficiência operacional, tornar-se mais inovadoras e capazes de tomar decisões mais informadas. Capacitando assim as PMEs de alcançar um crescimento estável e ganhar competitividade no mercado. Este estudo resulta da síntese da literatura existente, que fornece informações úteis e recomendações práticas para as PMEs, os decisores políticos e os investigadores. Os resultados ajudam a compreender os fatores decisivos da adoção de big data nas PMEs e prepara o caminho para futuras pesquisas nesta área

Identifying cloud security threats to strengthen cloud computing adoption framework

Cloud Computing allows firms to outsource their entire information technology (IT) process, allowing them to concentrate more on their core business to enhance their productivity and innovation in offering services to customers. It allows businesses to cut down heavy cost incurred over IT infrastructure without losing focus on customer needs. However, to a certain limit adopting Cloud computing has struggled to grow among many established and growing organizations due to several security and privacy related issues. Throughout the course of this study several interviews were conducted, with cloud developers and security experts, and the literature was reviewed. This study enabled us to understand, current and future, security and privacy challenges with cloud computing. The outcome of this study led to identification of total 18, current and future, security issues affecting several attributes of cloud computing

A Cloud-Based Tool for Integrating Occupational Risk Assessment Within Management Systems for {SMEs}

About 67% of workers employed in the industrial and service sectors in the European Union are currently contracted by Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), which represent the economic heart of the European economy. However, this strength is counterbalanced by a considerably higher overall accident rate compared to Large Enterprises (LEs), and this trend seems to be confirmed worldwide. Moreover, most available tools for risk assessment and occupational health and safety (OHS) management are originally designed to fit the needs of LEs, resulting in a gap for SMEs. Therefore, the effective management of OHS in SMEs has become a crucial issue for researchers, practitioners and policymakers, aiming to improve the social and economic sustainability of small companies. The main purpose of this study is to provide guidelines to implement effective risk assessment processes and integrate them with OHS management systems in SMEs. A literature analysis of risk assessment and OHS management in SMEs highlights the main findings and gaps. Then, the three-phases methodology adopted is presented, outlining the main steps and outputs of the project. Finally, the web-based software tool for OHS risk analysis and management, designed to answer the specific needs of SMEs, is presented

Towards a cloud migration decision support system for Small and Medium enterprises in Tamil Nadu

Cloud computing is a promising computing paradigm which has the potential to speed up Information Technology adoption among SMEs in developing economies like India. The user friendly, pay per use cloud computing model offers SMEs access to highly scalable and reliable cloud infrastructure without having to invest on buying and maintaining expensive Information Technology resources. However, moving data and application to a cloud infrastructure is not straightforward and can be very challenging as decision makers need to consider numerous aspects before deciding to adopt cloud infrastructure. A review of the literature reveals that there are frameworks available to support cloud migration. However, there are no frameworks, models or tools available to support the whole cloud migration process. This research aims to fill that gap by proposing a conceptual framework for cloud migration decision support system targeted for SMEs in Tamil Nadu

Strategies for Cloud Services Adoption in Saudi Arabia

The adoption rate of cloud computing is low among business organizations in Saudi Arabia, despite the cost-saving benefits of using cloud services. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies that information technology (IT) leaders in the manufacturing industry in Saudi Arabia used to adopt cloud computing to reduce IT costs. The target population of this study consisted of 5 IT leaders from 5 different manufacturing companies in Saudi Arabia who successfully adopted cloud computing in their companies to reduce IT costs. Rogers\u27s diffusion of innovation theory was the conceptual framework for this research. Data collected from face-to-face, semistructured interviews and a review of relevant corporate documentation were analyzed using Yin\u27s 5-step data analysis method, which included compiling, disassembling, reassembling, interpreting, and concluding the data. Five themes emerged from the data analysis: identify business needs and requirements, apply value realization metrics, plan for migration, choose the right cloud service provider, and provide adequate training and awareness sessions. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential to improve the local economy in Saudi Arabia by ensuring the sustainability of firms in the manufacturing industry through the implementation of cost-saving strategies associated with cloud computing adoption

An investigation upon Industry 4.0 implementation: the case of small and medium enterprises and Lean organizations

In recent years, industries have undergone several shifts in their operating and management systems. Alongside to the technological innovation, rapid market changes and high competitiveness; growing customer needs are driving industries to focus on producing highly customized products with even less time to market. In this context, Industry 4.0 is a manufacturing paradigm that promises to have a great impact not only on improving productivity but also on developing new products, services and business models. However, the literature review has shown that research on Industry 4.0 implementation is still characterized by some weaknesses and gaps (e.g., topics such as the implementation of Industry 4.0 in SMEs and its integration with Lean Management approach). Motivated by so, this thesis sought to answer four key questions: (RQ1) What are the challenges and opportunities for SMEs in the Industry 4.0 field? (RQ2) What are the resources and capabilities for Industry 4.0 implementation in SMEs? (RQ3) How can these resources and capabilities be acquired and/or developed and (RQ4) How to integrate Industry 4.0 and Lean Management? To deal with the first research question, a semi-systematic literature review in the Industry 4.0 field was conducted. The main goal is to explore the implementation of Industry 4.0 in SMEs in order to identify common challenges and opportunities for SMEs in the Industry 4.0 era. To face with the second and third research questions, a multiple case study research was conducted to pursue two main aims: (1) to identify the resources and capabilities required to implement Industry 4.0 in Portuguese SMEs. Furthermore, based on mainstream theories such as resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capability theory, it sought empirical evidence on how SMEs use resources and capabilities to gain sustainable competitive advantage; (2) to shed light on how those SMEs acquire and/or develop the Industry 4.0 resources and capabilities. Finally, this thesis employed a semi-systematic literature review methodology to deal with the fourth research question. As such, it explored the synergistic relationship between Industry 4.0 and Lean Management to identify the main trends in this field of research and, ultimately, the best practices. The analysis and discussion of the best practices revealed a set of potential relationships which provided a more clear understanding of the outcomes of an Industry 4.0-LM integration.Nos últimos anos, as indústrias têm passado por várias mudanças tanto nos seus sistemas operacionais, como de gestão. Juntamente com a inovação tecnológica e alta competitividade; as mudanças nas necessidades dos clientes levaram as indústrias a se concentrarem na produção de produtos altamente personalizados e com tempo de lançamento no mercado cade vez menores. Nesse contexto, a Indústria 4.0 é um paradigma de manufatura que promete ter um grande impacto não só na melhoria da produtividade, mas também no desenvolvimento de novos produtos, serviços e modelos de negócios. No entanto, a revisão da literatura mostrou que a investigação sobre a implementação da Indústria 4.0 ainda é caracterizada por algumas lacunas (por exemplo em tópicos como a implementação da Indústria 4.0 em pequenas e médias empresas (PMEs) e sua integração com a filosofia de gestão Lean Management). Diante disso, esta tese procura responder à quatro questões-chave: (RQ1) Quais são os desafios e oportunidades para as PMEs no campo da Indústria 4.0? (RQ2) Quais são os recursos e capacidades necessários para a implementação da Indústria 4.0 nas PMEs? (RQ3) Como esses recursos e capacidades podem ser adquiridos e/ou desenvolvidos e (RQ4) Como integrar os paradigmas de manufatura, Indústria 4.0 e Lean Management? Para responder à primeira questão de investigação, este trabalho empregou uma revisão semi-sistemática da literatura. O objetivo principal foi explorar a implementação da Indústria 4.0 nas PMEs, a fim de identificar quais são os desafios e oportunidades para as PMEs na era da Indústria 4.0. Para fazer face à segunda e terceira questões de investigação, foi realizado um estudo de caso em 5 PMEs localizadas em Portugal a fim de atingir os seguintes objetivos: (1) identificar os recursos e capacidades necessários para implementar a Indústria 4.0 nas PME portuguesas; (2) esclarecer como essas PMEs adquirem e/ou desenvolvem esses recursos e capacidades. Além disso, com base nas teorias resourcebased view (RBV) e dynamic capabilities, buscar evidências empíricas sobre como as PMEs usam recursos e capacidades para obter vantagem competitiva sustentável. Finalmente, para lidar com a quarta questão de investigação, este estudo explorou a relação sinérgica entre a Indústria 4.0 e a filosofia de gestão Lean Management (LM) para identificar as principais tendências neste campo de investigação e promover as melhores práticas. A análise e discussão das melhores práticas revelaram um conjunto de potenciais relações, o que contribuiu para um entendimento mais claro sobre a integração da Indústria 4.0 com LM