Developing an integrated enterprise resource planning framework for South African clothing and textile industries

Abstract: This research recommends development of an integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) framework for South African clothing and textile industries, mainly is Small Medium Enterprise (SME). The study and framework will cover ERP Critical Success Factors (CSF), namely: Vision and planning of Project, Choice of an ERP system, Support from Top Management, Project Management, Project Champion, Business Process Re-engineering, Communication, User Training and Education, and Organizational Resistance); ERP implementation process, challenges and benefits of implementing an ERP system. The framework will be used as a plan of implementing an ERP system in Clothing and Textile industries. The study used Mixed Method approach to identify benefits, critical success factors, and challenges in the ERP industries. Two slightly different questionnaires were designed, of which 18 were sent to clothing and textile industries, and 101 were sent to ERP specialists around South Africa. The majority of the respondents were from Gauteng. More than six companies using different ERP system were part of the respondents. The target populations were: directors, managers, supervisors, and also employees. Descriptive statistics, reliability indices, factor analysis, and gap analysis were used to analyse the data. The use of questionnaires was an advantage because while data collection and analysis was time consuming, the data were analysed using SPSS. Majority of the respondents were aware and understood ERP systems and implementation that is why the feedback was remarkable.D.Phil. (Engineering Management