Implementing Enterprise Resource Planning ERP System in a Large Construction Company in KSA

Abstract

The construction industry has become more challenging and competitive. Construction firms are in the hunt for any mean to increase productivity, achieve integration and stain competitiveness. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is an Information Technology (IT) business solution that enables construction companies and their contractors to manage capital projects effectively and efficiently throughout the project lifecycle. Many studies have demonstrated the benefits of ERP systems in construction, correspondingly, more studies have reported the importance of investigating the critical success factors (CSFs) of the implementation process. This paper aims at finding the most CSFs impacting the implementation process from the point of view of ERP users working in a large construction company. A total of 26 factors were identified from the literature and a questionnaire survey was conducted among ERP users to find out the most critical ones. The data were collected through a structured interview from 25 users who experienced the ERP implementation process. The results showed that top management involvement and awareness, training and support for users, and implementation team composition are the most significant factors of ERP implantation success. The findings agree with previous studies which conclude that despite being IT process in its core, the ERP implementation process is largely impacted by the human factors.