Exploring the Path to ERP Implementation Success: In Retrospect after Rollout

Whereas numerous studies have examined critical success factors (CSFs) for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation, little work has investigated the underlying causal links in the form of conceptual models. This study develops a casual model for ERP implementation success, using a two-stage approach. In Stage one, 27 online publications on ERP implementation in China were collected, and analyzed based on the grounded theory approach, to identify critical events and activities in the process of ERP implementation. In Stage two, a focus group study was conducted to create paths to ERP implementation success in the form of a conceptual model. The 48 critical factors identified in Stage one were mapped onto goals of ERP implementation, following the soft systems methodology (SSM). The result is a model including five high-order concepts: organizational impact, data quality, Normalization of processes, continuous improvement, and fit between business process and ERP systems

Risks affecting ERP viability: insights from a very large Chinese manufacturing group

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify, assess and explore potential risks that can affect long-term viability of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in the post-implementation and exploitation phase. Design/methodology/approach – The research took a large Chinese private group as a case study. A theoretical ERP risk ontology, which was adopted from the literature, was used to frame the study and generate data collection tools. Two questionnaires were thus designed and used to explore ERP post-implementation risks in the case company. Findings – The study identified 37 risk events, of which seven were identified as the most critical for ERP exploitation in the case company. The findings show that organisational and human-related risks are the crucial factors for potential ERP failure and not the usually suspect technical risks. Research limitations/implications – This study contributes to the knowledge of ERP in general, and provides valuable insights into ERP post-implementation risks in large companies in particular. Practical implications – The findings will not just be useful in supporting ERP risk identification and management in the large Chinese companies, but will also be beneficial to other large companies in general, which may be confronted with similar ERP exploitation challenges. Originality/value – The majority of large companies in China and in the West have implemented ERP systems and engaged in the system post-implementation phase. Most of the existing literature in the field focuses on the process of implementation. This paper looks forward to the risks involved in the post-implementation phase. Understanding potential risks that may occur during ERP exploitation is vital for these large firms to achieve and sustain business success through their ERP systems

A two-tier adaptive approach to securing successful ERP implementation

In recent years, a significant volume of industrial and academic research has been directed towards understanding the evolution and development of ERP systems and their associated applications. However, the associated technological and social changes are significant, and although many corporations have successfully implemented ERP, there have also been many reported cases of failed implementation. This has led several researchers to examine in detail the causes of these failures, in an effort to identify critical success factors associated with successful implementation. This dissertation reports on an action research study that arose from an initiative designed to improve the likelihood of success when implementing a particular UKdeveloped ERP system in China, namely `System 21' from JBA International. The project in which this research is embedded was a joint venture between JBA and a leading US beverage company, Pepsi Cola. The dissertation initially focuses on the analysis of underlying reasons for pilot project failures in this joint venture. This draws upon qualitative data from managers, consultants and other stakeholders involved in the ERP implementation at three geographically dispersed sites. The research then turns to an examination of ERP implementation methodology in the context of joint venture collaboration and associated issues such as change management and business process (re)engineering. This is grounded in a literature review of several approaches adopted by the major ERP solution providers. The literature review phase is followed by the design and distribution of a detailed questionnaire aimed at identifying, and subsequently addressing, the concerns of various customer stakeholders in a number of Hong Kong based businesses spanning a range of industrial sectors. Its aim was to secure the necessary improvements in methodology required to underpin the successful implementation in future Pepsi Joint Venture projects in China. Ultimately, this led to a set of recommendations in the form of a strategic framework for implementing ERP systems in China. In summary, a key deliverable arising from the research was the production of a business model for the achievement of success when implementing joint venture ERP systems in China. A second related deliverable is the improvement of the generic implementation methodology currently available to customers of `System 21'. This has been achieved by developing a framework evolved from an adaptive approach to the implementation of ERP systems. To a great extent, the findings and recommendations are also applicable to other multinational companies who are operating in China and keen on implementing ERP systems within this particular setting, with its associated cultural and other restrictions.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Integrating ERP and enterprise social software

Purpose : The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of a hybrid enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, combining an ERP system with enterprise social software (ESS). The study will provide a critical assessment of the implementation of this process technology. Design/methodology/approach : Multiple case studies of organisations based in China were conducted to understand the use of ERP systems in different contexts. Following an evaluation of the context of each ERP implementation (within-case analysis) the research draws a cross-case conclusion that defines the nature of a hybrid ERP system and then synthesises the propositions related to the benefits and challenges of implementation. Findings : The authors find that a hybrid ERP system is able to support efficiency in business process management and also provide a flexible response to changes in business requirements. It does this by allowing for the continued use of informal processes that cannot be incorporated into the ERP system. Practical implications : This research indicates how ERP systems in conjunction with ESS can provide a flexible response to changing business requirements and increase collaboration within the organisation. Key lessons include the need to perform informal activities under the guidance of managers and provide clear boundaries for the implementation of informal activities. Originality/value : This study has found that the use of case studies can provide a valuable insight into the use of a hybrid ERP system from the perspective of its use within the organisation as a work system that requires an assessment of the context within which organisational members perform their work

The Influence of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System on Customer Satisfaction

Purpose: This study investigates the influence of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems on customer satisfaction in small-sized companies in Xinyang City, China. The research aims to identify factors affecting customer satisfaction towards ERP systems and provide suggestions for optimizing the system to improve user experience and overall competitiveness. Four hypotheses are proposed, examining the impact of information quality, system quality, service quality, and perceived usefulness on customer satisfaction. Research design, data and methodology: The research employs a questionnaire survey targeting 393 employees from 100 small companies in Xinyang City, with participants having at least one year of experience using ERP software. Multiple regression analysis is used to test the hypotheses and analyze the data collected from the questionnaires. Results: The results proved that system quality, service quality, and perceived usefulness have a statistically significant positive causal relationship with customer satisfaction while information quality does not have causal relationship. Conclusions: The findings of this study will contribute to understanding the role of ERP systems in enhancing customer satisfaction and provide valuable insights for software developers and small enterprises looking to optimize their ERP implementation

Critical Factors and Multisite Implementation of ERP: A Case Study in the UAE

Despite extensive studies in the ERP literature, little empirical understanding has been reached in relation to ERP implementation experiences in developing markets, particularly in the UAE context. Derived from the notions of critical successful factors and multisite implementation, two of widely researched areas in ERP studies, this paper thus seeks to provide practical insights about organizations’ ERP implementation experiences in the UAE setting. More specifically, it describes and contrasts critical factors and multisite implementation experiences in two case organizations situated in the UAE. These case organizations, one being categorized as a global company and the other local, provide interesting comparison of ERP implementation because of their complementary organizational structure and business strategies. In contrast to traditional ERP frameworks’ suggestions, these case organizations’ experiences reveal that contemporary ERP implementations might be more complex than previously expected since none of these case organizations’ ERP experiences follows suggestions made by frameworks based. Further discussion about how to better understand and examine maturing ERP technology in an increasingly globalized business environment such as the UAE is provided

Multi-Stakeholder Assessment of Critical Success Factors: Insights from the World's Fastest SAP R/3 Implementation

Organizations invest substantial resources in Enterprise Systems (ES) expecting positive outcomes for the organization and its functions. Implementing an ES is a lengthy and costly undertaking, with general upheaval for many of the organizations. Many organizations therefore are seriously considering rapid ES-implementations to reduce cost and other related resources. This paper presents findings of a study conducted to understand critical success factors of rapid ES-implementations gathering data from the world’s fastest SAP implementation, completed in a record time of three weeks. Using a two-phased case study design, gathering data from four distinct stakeholders, this study recognized the relevance of critical success factors identified through the literature to the context of rapid ES-implementations. Moreover, the study identified three new critical success factors that are specific to rapid ES-implementations. The study also demonstrated differentiating views of multiple stakeholders on each of the critical success factors

Investigating information systems with mixed-methods research

Mixed-methods research, which comprises both quantitative and qualitative components, is widely perceived as a means to resolve the inherent limitations of traditional single method designs and is thus expected to yield richer and more holistic findings. Despite such distinctive benefits and continuous advocacy from Information Systems (IS) researchers, the use of mixed-methods approach in the IS field has not been high. This paper discusses some of the key reasons that led to this low application rate of mixed-methods design in the IS field, ranging from misunderstanding the term with multiple-methods research to practical difficulties for design and implementation. Two previous IS studies are used as examples to illustrate the discussion. The paper concludes by recommending that in order to apply mixed-methods design successfully, IS researchers need to plan and consider thoroughly how the quantitative and qualitative components (i.e. from data collection to data analysis to reporting of findings) can be genuinely integrated together and supplement one another, in relation to the predefined research questions and the specific research contexts

Surfacing ERP exploitation risks through a risk ontology

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a risk identification checklist for facilitating user companies to surface, organise and manage potential risks associated with the post-adoption of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Design/methodology/approach – A desktop study, based on the process of a critical literature review, was conducted by the researchers. The critical review focused on IS and business research papers, books, case studies and theoretical articles, etc. Findings – By systematically and critically analysing and synthesising the literature reviewed, the researchers identified and proposed a total of 40 ERP post-implementation risks related to diverse operational, analytical, organisation-wide and technical aspects. A risk ontology was subsequently established to highlight these ERP risks, as well as to present their potential causal relationships. Research limitations/implications – For researchers, the established ERP risk ontology represents a starting point for further research, and provides early insights into a research field that will become increasingly important as more and more companies progress from implementation to exploitation of ERPs. Practical implications – For practitioners, the risk ontology is an important tool and checklist to support risk identification, prevention, management and control, as well as to facilitate strategic planning and decision making. Originality/value – There is a scarcity of studies focusing on ERP post-implementation in contrast with an over abundance of studies focusing on system implementation and project management aspects. This paper aims to fill this significant research gap by presenting a risk ontology of ERP post-adoption. It represents a first attempt in producing a comprehensive model in its area. No other such models could be found from the literature reviewed