What Is The Difference? The Case Of Two Erp Implementations

Abstract

This is a unique case study as it is based on two "twin" case studies rather than one. The two cases studies, one from Italy and one from the US, describe the implementation of a SAP Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in two similar organizations. Both organizations are mid-sized companies with similar size workforce and similar size annual sales. Both are in the electronics and telecommunications area. However, this is where the similarity ends. As indicated in the two case studies, the implementation process of the ERP systems, which followed similar steps, unfolded quite differently and resulted in very different outcomes. Thus, while the Italian implementation project met all its goals and was perceived by all participants as a success story, this was not the case for the American project. This teaching case study should give readers an understanding of the stages that a typical ERP implementation project follows, as well as, enable readers to understand the impact that individual, group, organization and national culture variables, have on how the process of implementing ERP systems unfolds and what may contribute to its final outcome.

Keywords:

• ERP
• Implementation process
• case studies
• cross culture
• Italy
• United States

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Celia Romm Livermore

Celia Romm Livermore Dr Celia Romm-Livermore is Professor at Wayne State University, Detroit and the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of E-Politics (IJEP). She published five books: "Virtual Politicking" (1999), "Electronic Commerce: A Global Perspective" (1998), "Doing Business on the Internet" (1999), "Self Service on the Internet" (2008) and "Social Networking Communities and eDating Services" (2008). She also published over a hundred and fifty journal articles, chapters in collective volumes, and conference papers. Her research was published in such journals as: The Harvard Business Review, Communications of the ACM, Information & Management, Transactions on Information Systems and others.

Pierluigi Rippa

Pierluigi Rippa completed his Ph.D in Business and Managerial Engineering at the University of Naples Federico II, Italy. He is assistant professor at the University of Naples Federico II (Italy). His research interests include information technology adoption and organizational interaction, ERP systems development and adoption, Innovation processes in SMEs.