A combined e-learning and finance management system based on ontology: A case study of SMEs in Morocco

Several studies conducted in Morocco and other developing countries have shown that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) fail to achieve business goals for reasons related principally to lack of entrepreneurship knowledge and poor financial management. Indeed, most managers do not have the required educational background and skills, precisely in accounting and cash flow management. To manage these competences inside SMEs or to out-source them completely requires important investment from SMEs which have limited financial resources. Failing to resolve this problem causes stagnation of small businesses on the market, followed by the disappearance of a large number of companies. This phenomenon impacts the development of the Moroccan socio-economic environment in which SMEs have a major contribution. In this paper, we propose a combined e-learning and finance management system based on ontology that, on the one hand, provides definition of concepts used in finance and accounting and, on the other hand, permits SMEs' managers to learn and to acquire knowledge for efficient financial management. The data entered in the solution is used in an analytical component to provide performance indicators about company's health, viability and future strategic orientations.