Building Enterprise Integration Through Enterprise Resource Planning Systems

Intense global competition, dynamic business complexity, as well as increased customer sophistication (e.g., one-stop shop, one face to all) are demanding large complex organizations to integrate their enterprise operations. One way to attain the goal is through ERP-enabled enterprise integration. How do organizations execute their enterprise integration strategies through ERP systems? Through a case study of a large Asian logistics organization, we chronicled the multiple trajectories towards enterprise integration. Our findings show that enterprise integration demands simultaneous attention to system, business, and strategic integration. Moreover, as it is a fluid concept, careful consideration of key dimensions of integration and implementation path are necessary to carve out the enterprise integration strategies. Our findings also show that even though integration is frequently desired, it is an unfamiliar concept to many and thus require emergent learning and continuous governance efforts to prevent divergence.