ERP INTRODUCTION IN CHINA: ANALYSING CULTURAL PROBLEMS USING STRUCTURATION THEORY

In this paper we present potential insights provided by Giddens\u27 structuration theory to study the effects of cultural differences experienced by western companies establishing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software in their Chinese subsidiaries. We use the data from a case study of a French firm\u27s ERP project in its Chinese subsidiary to demonstrate the appropriateness of structuration theory to study such social systems. We find that five of Giddens\u27 ten guidelines for the overall orientation of social research are indeed very helpful in understanding the problems that occurred in this particular situation