Title: The role of information technology in small and medium enterprises in the Brazilian oil offshore industry

Authors: Francisco Duarte; Suzana Dantas Hecksher; Roberto dos Santos Bartholo Junior

Addresses: Programa de Engenharia de Produção – PEP/COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro – UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ' Departamento de Engenharia de Produção, Universidade Federal Fluminense – UFF, Brazil ' Programa de Engenharia de Produção – PEP/COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro – UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract: Suppliers of oil companies, even Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), have to strive for continuous technological development and excellence at management. In this scenario, the adequate use of Information Technology (IT) stands out as a supporting factor for the success in competition. This paper brings together the considerations found in the literature about the advantages, difficulties, causes of failure and success factors. From a case study carried out in the State of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Brazil, the paper points out some characteristics of the adoption and the use of IT that are common among small firms in general and to other peculiarities observed in the sector of offshore maintenance.

Keywords: information technology; offshore oil industry; small firms; offshore maintenance; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; Brazil.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2012.046316

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2012 Vol.43 No.3, pp.285 - 293

Published online: 03 Apr 2012 *

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