An ERP implementation on a beekeeping and honey value chain

Abstract

Goal: This research represents a case study on the selection and implementation of ERP systems in the beekeeping and honey production sector, developing a decentralized and digital system accessible to every stakeholder in a cooperative based in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Methodology: The work develops an in-depth analysis of the beekeeping activities and how farmers participate and interact with the cooperative. This enables to distinguish the main features and specifications that an ERP system must have to give proper support to the business functions within the cooperative. Results: This implementation made it possible to make the production process more flexible, improve the traceability of production batches, and reduce costs in the business operation. Limitations: To generalize the results, other experiences from similar organizations should be incorporated. In addition, it would be convenient to reassess the situation when the implementation is fully developed, since this article presents the implementation of essential and critic modules for the operation of the organization. Practical implications: A special feature of this study is that the organization is structured as a cooperative, then each producer is a stakeholder in the system meaning that the decision-making processes are decentralized and transparent to each stakeholder. Originality: This study represents a novel development in using cloud and digital technologies to leverage and foster horizontal organizations such as cooperatives. Digitalization enables to share the information and decisions made by each of the stakeholders, something that strengthens the main purpose of cooperatives. As far as we know, there are no previous studies on developing ERP systems for an agricultural cooperative.