Transformation Issues in Small Manufacturers

In the fall of 1996, nine case studies (theory building) were conducted to determine activities required for transforming small companies. These activities were combined with those found in the literature and those from earlier implementation experiences of the authors to develop a methodology for transforming small companies. During this research, many issues prohibiting transformation were also discovered. The most prevalent and limiting of these issues in regard to transformation is the lack of formal systems. This paper will discuss the lack of formal systems issue and the activities included in the transformation methodology to address it.