An investigation of guidelines for the adoption of a sustainable enterprise resource planning system : a South African government institution perspective

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the feasibility for South African government institutions to adopt guidelines that will assist in adopting a sustainable ERP system to improve their information systems strategy and thus reduce costs brought about by the inadequate use of resources.

A systemised literature review was carried out from reputable journals to identify factors that contribute to the successful implementation of ERP systems and aspects that are seen to restrict the adoption of a fully integrated system. This study followed the mixed research methodology (qualitative dominating). In order to collect a variety of data in this study, a survey was distributed to 20 participants with closed-ended questions to collect numerical or quantitative data and open-ended questions to collect narrative or qualitative data in the same study. The TOE process model framework and a set of “critical success factors” were combined from the literature to provide a framework from which survey questions were developed.

Quantitative data were analysed using excel, while qualitative data were analysed by identifying themes (thematic analysis) in the data gathered. There were 103 initial codes extracted while analysing the data generated from the open-ended questions in Atlas.ti. A total of 57 codes were chosen after constant comparison and merging of comparable codes. 13 factors were identified that allow ERP systems to be successfully implemented and used. Nineteen issues that restrict ERP implementation and its full adoption were also identified in the field study. The current state of ERP implementation and adoption in the organisation under investigation indicate that the ERP system is being accepted successfully and that growth is being achieved gradually and steadily. It also suggested that the platform has a reasonable adoption rate and is adequately supported. The maturity of the organisation and system is high, and all modules are in use.

The study was significant in that it focused on the concerns and obstacles that organisations experience before adopting ERP projects and the challenges that arise after the system is adopted. Furthermore, this research adds to a better knowledge and analysis of core competencies to establish corrective measures before the occurrence of various issues and obstacles during the installation of ERP systems in organisations. The significance of the results is in that a framework of guidelines has been developed. This makes it an original contribution to the body of knowledge.