Capturing Users' Tacit Knowledge in ERP Implementation: An Exploratory Multi-Site Case Study

Abstract

This study examines capturing users' tacit knowledge in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. To mitigate the risks in implementing ERP systems, a knowledge based approach is followed. The ERP implementation team depends upon users for their knowledge to understand the business rules and processes required for the ERP systems. The value of ERP implementation is increased when users' tacit knowledge has been integrated into ERP systems. This paper attempts to understand how Canadian organisations are capturing the users' tacit knowledge in ERP implementation. A case study methodology is followed to accomplish the research objective. Three organisations from telecommunication, government, and retail sectors participated in the study. For data collection, semi-structured interviews were conducted with four to six respondents from each firm. The findings about tacit knowledge sharing in three firms that have implemented ERP systems are presented. The findings are categorised as follows: ERP adoption by all three firms, implemented ERP modules, users' tacit knowledge capturing and conversion, activities and approaches, users' tacit knowledge for interim modification and post-implementation. The lessons learned are given by presenting a cross-comparison of three case studies.