Exploring the implementation of ERP as a complex innovation : the case of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• Main Author: Alhajaj, Khaled M.
• Published: University of the West of England, Bristol 2018
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.759734

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems have been highlighted in the literature as one of the most popular business management systems, providing the benefits of real-time capabilities and greater managerial control in organisations. With today’s Information Technology (IT) market growth, Saudi Arabia’s organisations have embarked upon ERP implementation systems as a common and necessary platform to leverage their competitive advantages. However, not all ERP implementations have been successful. Since ERP implementation brings substantial changes to organisations’ business norms, processes, people, and culture, there are a number of challenges that organisations may encounter in implementing ERP systems. The research in the ERP implementation spectrum has been mostly about the technical implementation of ERP systems. This study views ERP implementation as a complex system of innovation. It aims to not only identify the main enablers and inhibitors of ERP implementation as an innovation, but also to refine and redefine the measures required for successful implementation; thereby identifying the deeper insights and circumstances required for understanding the effects of learning and knowledge sharing on ERP implementation. The interpretivism paradigm was considered the most suitable approach for this investigation. An in-depth study was conducted through the use of semi-structured interviews with senior managers in organisations from different sectors and industries in Saudi Arabia, in order to cover as many key sectors and organisations as possible. This study provided both theoretical and practical implications of ERP implementation success in general and for Saudi organisations in particular. It has identified 29 key factors affecting the success of ERP implementation. The majority of these key factors are investigated for the first time in Saudi Arabia. In general, it was found that ERP learning and knowledge sharing had a significant impact on ERP implementation with regard to organisations’ levels of understanding, adoption and use of ERP functions in Saudi Arabia.