Improving enterprise resource planning (ERP) fit to organizational process through knowledge transfer

• Published in: International journal of information management 2007-06, Vol.27 (3), p.200-212
• Main Authors: Wang, Eric T.G., Chia-Lin Lin, Cathy, Jiang, James J., Klein, Gary
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorptive capacity; Business information; Chief information officers; Consultant competence; Enterprise resource planning; ERP implementation; Exact sciences and technology; Information and communication sciences; Information communication; Information science. Documentation; Knowledge; Knowledge management; Knowledge transfer; Library and information science. General aspects; Organizational learning; Process fit; Sciences and techniques of general use; Studies; Use and user studies. Information needs
• ISSN: 0268-4012; 1873-4707
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2007.02.002

Critical to enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation is the fit between the system and the processes in an organization. Knowledge about the ERP system must flow from those implementing the system and those responsible once in production. Effective knowledge transfer is assisted by the absorptive capacity of the learner and the competence of the knowledge holder, as reflected in the client and consultant relationship of this study. A model of transfer is composed from existing theories of learning to explain the roles played by the client through absorptive capacity and the consultant through competence. Survey data of CIOs in Taiwan confirm that transfer is improved with higher levels of capacity and competence, while the transfer process leads to a better fit between ERP systems and organizational processes. Management needs to foster the build-up of their internal knowledge stocks in order to stimulate the flow of knowledge transfer.