Title: Cloud computing for logistics and procurement services for SMEs and raw material suppliers

Authors: Supansa Chaising; Hans-Dietrich Haasis

Addresses: Department of Business Studies and Economics, University of Bremen, Wilhelm-Herbst-Str. 12, 28359 Bremen, Germany ' Department of Business Studies and Economics, University of Bremen, Wilhelm-Herbst-Str. 12, 28359 Bremen, Germany

Abstract: Cloud computing has become extensive favour of business sectors, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs sector can gain many benefits from using cloud computing because it can fulfil user requirements with on-demand services and low costs. Certainly, SMEs have a problem of raw material procurement from suppliers to meet the requirements, such as low prices, on-time delivery, and raw materials quality due to SMEs encounter limited budgets and lack of contracted suppliers. Also, suppliers need buyers satisfying the sales conditions because the suppliers require higher profits from selling the products. Therefore, this study proposes cloud computing for logistics and procurement services to support dealing business operation between SMEs and raw material suppliers. Moreover, a model of cloud computing for logistics and raw material procurement services between shoes SME and rubbers suppliers is proposed in this study.

Keywords: cloud computing; small- and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; raw material suppliers; logistics services; procurement services.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2021.114767

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2021 Vol.38 No.4, pp.459 - 474

Received: 25 Aug 2018
Accepted: 26 May 2019
Published online: 05 May 2021 *

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