Information technology use in the food and beverage industry: a planning model for small and medium manufacturing enterprises

Abstract

The determinant variables of the performance of small and medium companies (SMEs) are associated to aspects of entrepreneurial capacity, regional economy, positioning in the market and type of operational management. These aspects are all influenced by the use of information technology (IT). This paper presents the intervening factors in the management process of these companies and a model that contemplates IT as an integrant part of the enterprise planning. The model, based on the Competence Theory, identifies in the business context of the company the critical factors to its success, the capacities and resources necessary to its sustain and the metrical which should reflect the evolution of the results of the company in relation to its objectives. Associated to these capacities IT resources are identified to be applied to upgrade the existing competences, or to develop new ones, according to the strategic focus and positioning of the company in the market. It is presented also a case study of a manufacturing SME of beverages where the model is being applied. The case shows some metrical results which certify the effectiveness of the model, although the short time of implantation. In spite of still being in the validation phase, with implementations in companies of other sectors, the model has shown favorable aspects mainly due to its  cognitive and recurrent approach, which is well appropriate to the management process of  SMEs.