MICRO AND MIDDLE SIZE ENTERPRISE STRATEGIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Abstract

Micro and middle size enterprises are more flexible and should hold more consolidated strategies. This not seem to be the case of micro and middle size sewing enterprises located in the Middle Itajai River Valley Metropolitan Area. Systematically this enterprise’s cluster showed lower competition level and lack of competitive positioning to help them be effective, considering their business characteristics. In this context, a major competition factor, is the information systems used by enterprises to direct their strategies. These facts supported this research, whose main purpose was to propose an information system to support strategic management in these enterprises. Results showed that respondents know SI, but seem to know the functions of a strategic information system. They do not use it to scan competitive environment, but to improve product performance and to cut business cost. The majority of the 43 respondents seems to be aware of the benefits of a strategic information system, however, do not drive efforts in this direction. Competitive environment is monitored through information delivered by suppliers, not by a competitive intelligence system. Enterprises researched use to deeply scrutinize the presence of new incomers in their industry. Given this context, we propose a strategic information system considering: (a) consumer behavior; (b) market characteristics; and (c) marketing intelligence. The system integrates internal and external information by means of a Strategic Module of Environment Evaluation.