ERP Research

ERP issues and challenges: a research synthesis

The paper systematically reviews ERP implementation literature to identify key issues and challenges. It synthesizes findings from 53 studies spanning 1999 to 2018.

Research Objectives

To identify and assess the criticality of issues and challenges faced during ERP implementation

Methodology

The study employs a systematic literature review (SLR) covering articles from major databases like Science Direct, Emerald, IEEE, JSTOR, and others.

Key Findings

Identified 31 critical challenges in ERP implementation.

The most frequently cited challenges include:

  1. Top Management Approach (most critical, ranked #1)
  2. Change Management
  3. Training and Development
  4. Effective Communication
  5. System Integration

Challenges such as project management, vendor selection, team empowerment, and data migration are also significant.

Challenges

Top management’s commitment and strategy were deemed the most critical. Resistance to change and lack of proper training were highlighted as major hurdles. Issues related to data migration, system integration, and selection of consultants/vendors were also emphasized.

Limitations

The study is limited by the time frame of the literature included (1999-2018) and focuses mainly on published journal articles, potentially excluding relevant conference papers or more recent studies. Furthermore, the focus of the paper is on management and researchers, not accounting for employee perspective.

Future Research Directions

Investigate deeper socio-technical issues affecting ERP projects. Explore new challenges that arise with modern technologies like cloud computing and AI in ERP systems. Study the root causes of highly ranked challenges to develop targeted solutions.

Research Relevance

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of common challenges in ERP implementation, which is essential for identifying gaps in current research. It supports further investigation into socio-technical issues and management practices in ERP adoption.

Reference

Faisal Mahmood, Abdul Zahid Khan, Rahat H. Bokhari. (2019). “ERP issues and challenges: a research synthesis”. Kybernetes

DOI: 10.1108/K-12-2018-0699