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Contradictions and the Appropriation of ERP Packages

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ERP Systems and Organisational Change

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Advanced Manufacturing ((SSAM))

Abstract

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software typically takes the form of a package that is licensed for use to those in a client organisation and is sold as being able to automate a wide range of processes within organisations. ERP packages have become an important feature of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructures in organisations. However, a number of highly publicised failures have been associated with the ERP packages too. For example: Hershey, Aero Group and Snap-On have blamed the implementation of ERP packages for negative impacts upon earnings (Scott and Vessey, 2000); Cadbury Schweppes implemented plans to fulfil 250 orders where normally they would fulfil 1000 due to the increased complexity and the need to re-train staff post-implementation (August, 1999) and FoxMeyer drug company’s implementation of an ERP package has been argued to have lead to bankruptcy proceedings resulting in litigation against SAP, the software vendor in question (Bicknell, 1998). Some have even rejected a single vendor approach outright (Light et al., 2001). ERP packages appear to work for some and not for others, they contain contradictions. Indeed, if we start from the position that technologies do not provide their own explanation, then we have to consider the direction of a technological trajectory and why it moves in one way rather than another (Bijker and Law, 1994). In other words, ERP appropriation cannot be pre-determined as a success, despite the persuasive attempts of vendors via their websites and other marketing channels. Moreover, just because ERP exists, we cannot presume that all will appropriate it in the same fashion, if at all.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Information Systems, Organisation and Society Research Centre, University of Salford, Salford

    Ben Light & Anastasia Papazafeiropoulou

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  1. Ben Light
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  2. Anastasia Papazafeiropoulou
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  1. Laboratoire Génie de Production (LGP), Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Tarbes (ENIT), 47, Avenue d’Azereix, 65016, Tarbes Cedex, France

    Bernard Grabot

  2. Laboratoire d’Etudes et de Recherche Appliquées en Sciences Sociales (LERASS), 114 route de Narbonne, 31077, Toulouse Cedex 4, France

    Anne Mayère

  3. Centre d’Etude et de Recherche Travail, Organisation, Pouvoir (CERTOP), Université de Toulouse-Le Mirail, Maison de la Recherche 5, allées Antonio Machado, 31058, Toulouse Cedex 9, France

    Isabelle Bazet

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Light, B., Papazafeiropoulou, A. (2008). Contradictions and the Appropriation of ERP Packages. In: Grabot, B., Mayère, A., Bazet, I. (eds) ERP Systems and Organisational Change. Springer Series in Advanced Manufacturing. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84800-183-1_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84800-183-1_6

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