An Institutionalisation View of the ERP in Large Organisations

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is a highly complex information system. Contemporary information systems research on ERP technology focuses on factors influencing success of its organizational adoption. However, adoption is largely discussed in terms of technology implementation rather than its assimilation within the organization. ERP implementation, however, is not a one off endorsement of technology; instead its implementation is a continuous process of technology assimilation aimed at organisational evolution with and within the technical, organisational, and cultural context of the organisation. This process of institutionalisation maintains legitimacy, power, and social and economic fitness of the organisation on an on-going basis. This paper investigates ERP implementation challenges through various stages of ERP assimilation process considering institutional pressures, institutional change, and other technology implementation/ assimilation theories. It draws out a framework to guide ERP institutionalisation research in large organisations in Australia.