The Application of ICT Solutions in Manufacturing Companies in Serbia

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) integration in the entire process of manufacturing management is necessary and obliging from the perspective of efficient resource allocation, time-saving, broadening the variety of products, reducing waste, and increasing the productivity and economy of production. Delivering competitive advantage needed for being successful in the new digital era is of crucial importance for the Serbian manufacturing industry. This research, in the first instance, seeks to examine the empirical link between the ICT software solutions importance and the actual software application, and in the second instance, to explore the empirical link between ICT software solutions application and the company's competitive position, as perceived by the respondents from 74 Serbian manufacturing companies included in the study. Research results have shown that if the managers in manufacturing companies believe that the usage of the specific software solution is vital for their business, the usage of that software will be empowered and, therefore, will positively impact the company's competitive position.