Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) of IT‐enablers for Indian manufacturing SMEs

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the issue of information technology (IT) adoption and implementation in Indian manufacturing small‐ and medium‐scale enterprise (SMEs) towards enhancing the capabilities of their supply chain.Design/methodology/approachExtracts of recently completed case‐based research for ten SME units are utilized for the identification of IT‐enablers. To support the logical deduction of the factors, diagnostic techniques like force‐field analysis, situation‐actor‐process and learning‐action‐performance are used. Further, key managerial insights were obtained by developing an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) model for the set of factors, specific to Indian context.FindingsISM delivers interrelationships among the factors which were utilized for deriving managerial insights. Further, these factors are classified into four categories, namely, autonomous, driver, dependent, and linkage to understand their relative impact on the implementation of IT in Indian SMEs.Practical implicationsThe advancement in IT presents opportunities for SMEs to harness the benefits of information and communication technologies in an affordable, simple way and to reach new customers and suppliers in global competition and at large to improve their supply chain competencies without a need for any major changes in business practices, manufacturing operations or production facilities. The findings of the present research will help Indian SME managers to enable IT implementation with a strategic orientation.Originality/valueKey issues related to IT implementation in SMEs are discussed and interconnectedness of critical factors for the case of Indian SMEs is understood.

ISM analysis of CPFR implementation barriers

“…Mandal and Deshmukh (1994) applied ISM to vendor selection and in a similar study Thakkar et al (2008) proposed a methodology for identifying the dissimilarity that may exist in the buyer-supplier relationships in the automotive industry in India. In a further study carried out on a case in India, Raj et al (2008) used ISM to evaluate enablers for the successful implementation of Flexible Manufacturing Systems.…”

Analysis of interactions among the barriers to JIT production: interpretive structural modelling approach

“…Interpretive structural modelling (ISM), analytic network process (ANP) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) are three contemporary modelling techniques applied frequently in the literature. Thakkar et al (2008) compared these three techniques, and extracts of that comparison are shown in Table 1. Table 1 presents the exceptional virtues of ISM over other modelling techniques.…”

Impact of critical success factors on successful technology implementation in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) supply chain

“…The same is presented in Table 1. Annamalai et al, 2013;Singh 2013;Ngai et al, 2008;Stanley et al, 2006;Bhatti 2005;Favilla et al, 2005;Haleem et al, 2012 2 Organization's willingness and commitment (C2) Hammant, 1997;Damien, 2005;Kumar et al, 2016 3 Alignment between Information Technology (IT) and business objectives (C3) Upadhyay et al, 2011;Chang, 2006;Done et al, 2011;Kolbusak-McGee 1998 4 Proper IT investment justifications (C4) Sandhu et al, 2012;Upadhyay et al, 2011 5 Change management initiatives (C5) Bozarth, 2006;Saini et al, 2013;Sandhu et al, 2012;Hoffer et al, 1998 6 Trust between supply chain partners (C6) Paul, 2003;Laeequddin et al, 2012;Anbanandam et al, 2011;Stanley et al, 2008;Norris et al, 2001;Jharkharia et al, 2005;Buxmann et al, 2004;Olorunniwo et al, 2010;Borade et al, 2010;Sahay et al, 2003;Pomponi et al, 2015 7 Cooperation and commitment of supply chain partners (C7) Fynes et al , 2005;Flynn et al, 2010;Park et al,2001 8 Cultural alignment among partners (C8) Thakkar et al, 2008;Gunasekaran et al, 2013 9 Investment in IT infrastructure by supply chain partners (C9) Kannabiran et al, 2012;S...…”