InImpact: The Journal of Innovation Impact

Publisher Future Technology Press
Vol. 7 No. 2 KES Transactions on SDM I - Sustainable Design and Manufacturing 2014
Volume Editors KES International
Journal ISSN 2051-6002
 
Article TitleChallenges to sustainable Manufacturing Resource Planning implementation in SMEs: An exploratory study
Primary AuthorJaqueline Marsh, Cardiff University
Other Author(s) Anthony Soroka; Paul Davies; Jane Lynch; Daniel Eyers
Pages 291 - 302
Article ID sdm14-106
Publication Date 01-May-16
AbstractFor manufacturing SMEs, Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II) systems can offer a multitude of benefits, but equally the potential exists to negatively affect the firms. Research that has explicitly focused on the motivations individual firms have for implementation and the challenges that may be encountered is limited. This study provides a review of some commercially available MRP II systems suitable for manufacturing SME’s, and a consideration of the implications of cloud-based and locally-hosted implementations. Through a series of director-level interviews this exploratory study of five Welsh manufacturing SMEs sought to understand their perceptions of MRP II, with a particular focus on the expected challenges for implementation and opportunities for improvements.

It is found that there is much demand for SMEs to implement MRP II, from which competitive advantage is expected. Furthermore, it is highlighted that managerial knowledge of MRP II systems is low, and there is an identified requirement for private and public sector training. In terms of implementation, an important gap in managerial knowledge of Business Process Reengineering is identified, hindering manufacturing SME managers in the design of processes that are amendable to application within the constraints of MRP II systems.

Keywords: MRP, MRP II, ERP, Business Processes, Sustainable Manufacturing
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