Conceptual framework design for the development of an enterprise resource planning system for small and medium enterprises in Southeast Asia

The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is one of the most widely accepted systems in the management of manufacturing enterprises. Despite the advantages of ERP systems, the existing ERP systems do not as of yet provide a clear and successful management tool for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), especially for SMEs in Southeast Asian countries. Also, the ERP systems do not provide convenient and easy implementation for these SMEs. This research aims at identifying the strategic and operational requirements of SMEs in the Southeast Asia region on the basis of the existing quantitative and qualitative research, which have been shown to influence Information System and Information Technology adoption in SMEs. The weaknesses of the existing ERP systems in relation to their implementation in Southeast Asian SMEs are evaluated and analyzed. The characteristics of the SMEs in this region are investigated with the SMEs' specific requirements for higher flexibility, lower hierarchical management, modular structure, and comprehension of the SMEs' short- and long-term plans. A strategic change framework that emphasizes the proper implementation of an ERP system in Southeast Asian SMEs and meets the requirements of the SMEs is developed, including the establishment of a Novel ERP system (NERP) for Southeast Asian SMEs. A comparison of NERP with the existing ERP systems is performed. The application of the research results in the ERPs in SMEs in Southeast Asia is also included in the present research.