ERP implementation strategies: the importance of process modelling and analysis

Abstract

Despite the existence of a vast body of research and knowledge related to ERP implementation, the analysis of environmental aspects (e.g. organizational context, existing business strategies, and implementation strategies) that influence the implementation success remains under researched. Hence, the objective of this study was to gain insight of the relation between the ex-ante business variables (i.e. business characteristics identified prior to the implementation), the ERP implementation strategies, and the perceived final contribution.Using survey data obtained from 91 respondents out of a sample population of 549 SAP users in Spain and Latin America (a net response rate of 16.6%) we find a significant correlation between specific business strategies and particular ERP implementation strategies. In addition we observe that process mapping and process-based implementation strategies better explain implementation results than other strategies such as the use of consultants and previous experience.