What are the requirements of a successful ERP implementation in SMEs? Special focus on Southern Africa

Authors

Victoria Hasheela-Mufeti, Lappeenranta University of TechnologyFollow
Kari Smolander, Aalto UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Many international Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems were developed based on the best practices of organizations in which they were developed. These organizations are usually large, and in developed countries. However, small organizations in other parts of the world are also implementing ERP. Implementing a system based on different practices that differ from yours is certainly bound to come with issues. The objective of the study is to identify challenges experienced by SMEs when implementing ERP systems, and to suggest requirements of achieving successful implementations in SMEs in Southern Africa. A thematic analysis methodology was used to explore identified challenges from fourteen SMEs and to identify themes within the data. The study suggested that a successful ERP implementation requires sufficient and appropriate training, reliable internet connection, involvement of end-users, change management, as well as sufficient demonstration of the prospective ERP system.

Recommended Citation

Hasheela-Mufeti, Victoria and Smolander, Kari (2017) "What are the requirements of a successful ERP implementation in SMEs? Special focus on Southern Africa," International Journal of Information Systems and Project Management: Vol. 5: No. 3, Article 2.
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/ijispm/vol5/iss3/2