Title: Exploring the adoption and implementation of discrete and integrated IT systems: a framework for analysis

Authors: Colm Burns, Nola Hewitt-Dundas

Addresses: Queen's University Management School, 25 University Square, Belfast BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland. ' Queen's University Management School, 25 University Square, Belfast BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland

Abstract: Despite the substantial organisational benefits of integrated IT, the implementation of such systems – and particularly Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems – has tended to be problematic, stimulating an extensive body of research into ERP implementation. This research has remained largely separate from the main IT implementation literature. At the same time, studies of IT implementation have generally adopted either a factor or process approach; both have major limitations. To address these limitations, factor and process perspectives are combined here in a unique model of IT implementation. We argue that: the organisational factors which determine successful implementation differ for integrated and traditional, discrete IT; failure to manage these differences is a major source of integrated IT failure. The factor/process model is used as a framework for proposing differences between discrete and integrated IT. [Received 31 August 2009; Revised 30 April 2010; Accepted 26 October 2010]

Keywords: information technology; IT integration; IT adoption; IT implementation; ERP implementation; enterprise resource planning; technology management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMR.2011.040010

International Journal of Manufacturing Research, 2011 Vol.6 No.2, pp.175 - 190

Published online: 09 May 2015 *

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