• The Journal of Information Systems
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.25-58
• /
• 2022

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyzes the RPA fitting processes by the casese of manufacturing SMEs(Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) in an exploraty approach. Based on the findings on the RPA fitting processes, we intend to provide a cornerstone for developing a general-purpose RPA introduction model in the future. Design/methodology/approach In this study, empirical cases of RPA fitting processes were analyzed based on interviews with project managers of specialized IT suppliers in charge of RPA development and managers of IT departments of manufacturing SMEs that actually introduced RPA. In order to explore various RPA fitting process in the manufacturing value chain, a total of 7 manufacturing SMEs were interviewed, ranging from companies using a legacy system to companies without a legacy system. Over the primary and secondary activity processes, the details of RPA processes were analyzed in the steps of 'Frequency Identification, Input Processing, Source Identification, Inquiry and Processing, Information Registration, Result Reporting'. Findings From the analysis, we derived some exploratory results that the processes over 0.25 FTE and related with many suppliers and clients are fitting for RPA introduction in manufacturing SMEs Our results will provide basic data for the development of the future general-purpose RPA introduction model for manufacturing SMEs, providing practical reference for RPA introduction.