Successful Strategies for Implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning System

The enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation success rate is as low as 30%. Researchers have shown that ERP system implementation could cause both system and organization failures, affecting operations and stakeholders, alike. The technology-organization-environment conceptual framework was used to ground this qualitative single-case study. The purpose of the study was to explore strategies that a manufacturing firm in Ghana used to implement ERP systems successfully. The population of this case study comprised 5 stakeholders from a manufacturing firm in Ghana who had success in implementing an ERP system. Data were collected using face-to-face semistructured interviews and review of various corporate documents. Data analysis consisted of reviewing interview transcripts, compiling and organizing the data using an open-coding system, grouping the data into themes, and interpreting the meaning of the themes and data. Triangulation was used to strengthen the validity of the case study design. The primary themes that emerged from data analysis included critical strategies that organizational leaders can use to implement ERP systems successfully in Ghana-based manufacturing firms. Significant findings were that leaders who engage in ERP implementation should focus on managing human and technological infrastructure resources, seeking the support of top management, and designing and executing comprehensive change management plans. Implications for positive social change include the potential to increase funding for local schools, after-school youth programs, and philanthropic donations based on increased organizational profits generated from successful ERP leader implementation strategies