Understanding the perception of success in the development of an ERP system : an interpretive case study in a Saudi Arabian private organisation

Al-Braithen, MA

Abstract

Information System (IS) success continues to be an important theme in IS research.
However, the majority of IS success studies have adopted a very narrow and deterministic approach. A number have adopted a form of factoring approach such as
model based on Critical Success Factors (CSFs) which is an instance of positivism paradigm research despite the fact that their findings fail, to some extent, to reflect the
dynamic reality and complexity of the implementation and success of IS projects. The work reported here is a qualitative study of IS success and failure in the context of the implementation of a series of Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) projects dating from 1992 to 2005 by a Saudi Arabian private organisation. It focuses on understanding the perceptions of IS success of two major groups of internal stakeholders: end users and project team members. Accordingly, 57 semi-structured interviews were conducted and most were audio recorded. Data were analysed using the Grounded Theory Method (GTM) underpinned by Pettigrew's ideas of contextualisim and the use of NVivo software.
This research makes a contribution to the interpretive literature on IS success, as it shows the competence of interpretive research in reflecting the reality of the
implementation process. Therefore, it is an empirical confirmation of the findings of authors who criticise the deterministic positivist tradition of the factoring approach and its competency to reflect the reality. Additionally, it emphasises the importance of the work of Pettigrew that has been mainly developed based on contextualisim for investigating organisational change. Moreover, it contributes to the literature on ERP systems by demonstrating the dynamic and complex nature of their implementation activities and context. Therefore, it gives emphasis to the importance of continual inclusion of the implementation context in the exploration process. The importance of the inclusion of different stakeholders' views and time of evaluation in IS evaluation is also stressed. Finally, it contributes to the literature on IT in developing countries, particularly in wealthy ones as it highlights a lack of expertise in implementing ERP systems, despite the availability of the required financial resources. Accordingly, it exposes the role of the absence of strict management accountability during ERP projects, particularly in regard to continuous management support.

Citation

Al-Braithen, M. Understanding the perception of success in the development of an ERP system : an interpretive case study in a Saudi Arabian private organisation. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2010