Effects Of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems On Organizational Performance In Kitale Technical Training Institute, Kenya

Abstract

An ERP system is a packaged business solution that is designed to automate and integrate business processes. It shares common data and practices across the enterprise and provides access to information in real time environment. ERP systems are intended to be a single comprehensive and integrated data-base which collects data from and feeds data into modular applications supporting virtually all of a company's business activities across functions and business units. The study has an overall objective of reviewing the effect of adopting ERPs on performance of public technical institutions, and specifically to examine how accessibility of data has improved organizational performance at Kitale Technical Training Institute, evaluate how database sharing has improved organizational performance at the Institute, to study how reporting for decision making has improved the performance of the institute and to examine how information sharing and networking has improved organizational performance at KTTI. The study will offer valuable contribution to theory and practice on the best approach to take in the process of adopting and implementing ERPs. The outcome will be applied in the development of an ICT Strategy document to guide institutions in terms of ERP adoption, which is relevant in most institutions in Kenya which helps in promoting reporting and availing of information to relevant offices to aid in decision making. Further, the study creates a forum for further discussions on best practices and strategies to implement an ERP system. The study will use the descriptive survey design which will analyze factors such as behavior, attitudes, values and characteristics. This research design is very suitable for this study as it will greatly aid in describing the effects of adopting ERPs on performance of the institute under study. The study sample will be drawn from a population comprising of both teaching and non-teaching staff. Data collection will be done through the use of validated questionnaires, observations and interviews with key players in the Institute.