EDI success in small and medium‐sized enterprises: A field study |
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Authors: | Louis Raymond François Bergeron |
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Institution: | 1. University of Quebec , P.O. Box 500, Trois‐Rivieres, Quebec, Canada , G9A 5H 7;2. Laval University , Quebec |
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Abstract: | This research aims to identify empirically the success factors that have allowed small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) to obtain advantages from electronic data interchange (EDI). These advantages can be operational, managerial, and strategic in nature. Results of a field study done in 39 firms indicate that it is the quality of the organizational context of EDI (organizational support, implementation process, and control procedures) that is crucial to the attainment of benefits from this technology. In turn, the quality of the organizational context is higher when the small firm implements EDI voluntarily rather than having it imposed by a major client or supplier. These results are compared with those of a prior study done in a large business context. |
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Keywords: | electronic data interchange EDI small business advantages benefits success factors |
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