Digital Technologies Research and Applications

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Reassessing Critical Success Factors for ERP Implementation in the Digital Era

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https://doi.org/10.54963/dtra.v3i2.297
Wynn, M., Ilyas, J., Isleyen, O. F., Brüntrup, H., & Metin, B. (2024). Reassessing Critical Success Factors for ERP Implementation in the Digital Era. Digital Technologies Research and Applications, 3(2), 140–154. https://doi.org/10.54963/dtra.v3i2.297
Volume 3 Issue 2 (2024): In Progress
Copyright (c) 2024 Martin Wynn, Janat Ilyas, Omer Faruk Isleyen, Henrik Brüntrup, Bilgin Metin
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Authors

  • Martin Wynn
    School of Business, Computing and Social Sciences, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham GL50 2RH, UK https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7619-6079
  • Janat Ilyas Management Information Systems Department, Bogazici University, Istanbul 34342, Turkey
  • Omer Faruk Isleyen Management Information Systems Department, Bogazici University, Istanbul 34342, Turkey
  • Henrik Brüntrup School of Business, Computing and Social Sciences, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham GL50 2RH, UK
  • Bilgin Metin Management Information Systems Department, Bogazici University, Istanbul 34342, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5828-9770

This paper examines the recent evolution of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and explores the critical success factors (CSFs) for project implementation in the digital age. Adopting a qualitative inductive approach, the article first reports on CSFs evident in relevant literature drawn from the past two decades. In the second research phase, interview feedback from nine industry project managers is analysed to identify the CSFs now considered of particular relevance in the digital era. The article concludes that many of the established CSFs remain relevant, but recent research suggests the deployment of digital technologies and the availability of the cloud for ERP operation will mean that CSFs will be re-formulated in new technology and business environments. CSFs related to cloud-based vs on-premise software operation, system configuration and functionality trade-offs, and the integration of digital technologies into ERP products, are likely to emerge in the digital era. Future studies could profitably focus on these largely unresearched aspects of ERP projects, to which this article makes a small contribution that may provide a useful point of reference for subsequent studies.

Keywords:

enterprise resource planning; ERP; critical success factors; CSFs; digitalisation; project management

Author Biographies

Dr Martin Wynn is Associate Professor in Information Technology in the School of Business, Computing and Social Sciences at the University of Gloucestershire, UK (ORCID: https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0001-7619-6079). Having gained his PhD at Nottingham Trent University, he was appointed Research Fellow at East London University, and then spent 20 years in industry at Glaxo Pharmaceuticals and HP Bulmer Drinks, now part of Heineken UK, before returning to academia in 2002. His research interests include digitalisation, information systems, sustainability, project management and urban planning. His latest book, Handbook of Research on Digital Transformation, Industry Use Cases, and the Impact of Disruptive Technologies, was published in 2022. (https://www.igi-global.com/book/handbook-research-digital-transformation-industry/265448). He is a certified project manager and industry consultant.

Janat Ilyas graduated from Forman Christian College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2017, and earned a Master's degree in Business Information Systems from Boğaziçi University, Turkey in 2022. Throughout her career, she has held various roles, including Research Assistant, SAP Associate Consultant, SAP SuccessFactors Consultant, and Technical Lead. Janat is certified as an SAP Application Associate (Connect with Janat Ilyas https://www.linkedin.com/in/janat-ilyas/).

Ömer Faruk İşleyen graduated from Istanbul Technical University with a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering in 2018, and earned a Master of Science in the same field from the Turkish National Defense University in 2019. He also holds a Master’s degree in Business Information Systems from Boğaziçi University, awarded in 2022. He is a certified Professional Scrum Master, has completed the McKinsey Forward Program, and is currently a Design and Certification Engineer at Turkish Airlines Technic in Istanbul, Turkey. (Connect with Ömer Faruk İşleyen  https://www.linkedin.com/in/omer-faruk-isleyen/).

Henrik Brüntrup gained his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Business at the Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft (Business University) in Paderborn, Germany in 2012, and his Masters degree in International Management at the Fachhochschule des Mittelstandes (Medium-sized Industries University), Bielefeld, Germany in 2014. Since leaving academia, he has worked as an industry consultant, specialising in ERP systems, notably SAP. He is currently also studying for a PhD at the University of Gloucestershire, UK, focusing on ERP implementation and sustainability in cloud environments.

Professor Bilgin Metin began his academic journey with a B.Sc. in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Istanbul Technical University and furthered his education with an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Boğaziçi University, Turkey. (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5828-9770). During his graduate studies, he consulted for private-sector companies, focusing on computer networks and cybersecurity projects. In 2007, he joined Boğaziçi University's Management Information Systems Department as an assistant professor, rising to Associate Professor in 2014 and Professor in 2021. His research covers cybersecurity, IT and privacy governance, and information and communication system design. Prof. Metin has authored over 125 publications in international journals and conferences with a notable h-index of 26 and has organized numerous conferences. He has gained a number of certifications: OSCP (Of-Sec Certified Professional), CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), CDPSE (Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer), and ISO 27001 Lead Auditor. Since 2017, he has led the Boğaziçi University MIS Cybersecurity Center and heads the Management Information Systems Department. His work extends to national and international projects, providing training and consultancy to various institutions. (Connect with Prof. Bilgin Metin, https://sciprofiles.com/profile/bilginmetin, www.linkedin.com/in/bilginmetin )

Highlights

Provides an overview of the evolution of critical success factors for ERP projects since the turn of the century.

Reveals the insights of project managers working in the field as regards critical success factors and barriers to success.

Highlights the significance of recent changes in the technology landscape that affect ERP projects.

Suggests that many questions remain unanswered as regards extensibility, integration and cybersecurity as digitalisation and ERP projects overlap and converge.

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