Enterprise Resource Planning Implementation in One Government Agency

Ineffective enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation strategies can have a negative impact on business competitive advantage. Business leaders who struggle to maintain global operations and audit readiness are at high risk of failure. Grounded in the general systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore the strategies business leaders used to promote an awareness of the effects of performance on competitive advantage. The participants comprised of 22 business leaders on a military base in the state of Washington who effectively used ERP systems to increase global operations, audit readiness, and maximize competitive advantage. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, observer-as-participant observations, and company documents. Yin’s five step process was used to analyze the data. Four themes emerged: crucial ERP project planning, ERP system implementation strategies, senior business leader support, and ineffective strategies affecting ERP system performance. Based on the findings of this study, a key recommendation is business leaders should tailor their ERP system implementation strategies to include a cost-benefit analysis for hiring professional ERP systems trainers. The implications for positive social change include the potential to provide business leaders with an in-depth understanding of ERP system implementation strategies to effectively tailor their specific implementation strategies and support the economic stability of their employees.