Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2009
Abstract
The literature is silent about how organizations that have implemented Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions reconcile the use of these rigid platforms in turbulent competitive environments. We studied three diverse organizations- a $9 billion US retailer, a $3 billion consumer products firm and a $2 billion logistics company- all with ERP solutions in the sustainment phase, to shed light on the impact of changing business needs on overall ERP performance. Semi structured interviews with 24 business and technical professionals revealed that in addition to economic and competitive forces for change to the ERP system, the system itself is paradoxically a driver of change. Structuration theory and specifically adaptive structuration theory (AST) explain the reconciliation process to reduce change provoking cross-boundary complexity and systemic risk during ERP sustainment. Our findings promote a holistic perspective of performance encompassing both implementation and maintenance of ERP solutions and call for better alignment of ERP solutions and the changing needs of the enterprise.
Keywords
business planning, ERP, Enterprise Resource Planning, reconciliation, changing business needs, adaptation activities, structure, appropriation, Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST), complexity, risk
Rights
© The Author(s). Kelvin Smith Library provides access for non-commercial, personal, or research use only. All other use, including but not limited to commercial or scholarly reproductions, redistribution, publication or transmission, whether by electronic means or otherwise, without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.
Department/Center
Design & Innovation
Recommended Citation
Kharabe, Amol, "Enterprise Information Systems and Organizational Agility: ERP as a Dynamic Source of Change, Complexity, and Risk" (2009). Student Scholarship. 196.
https://commons.case.edu/studentworks/196