Operations Management Instructor

University of Calgary

TOPIC

Enterprise Resource Planning Implementations at Small and Medium sized Enterprises: Influential Factors

Abstract:

Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems that were previously the domain of large organizations. ERP system implementation guidance exists in the form of Critical Success Factors (CSFs), however the existing research is heavily based on experiences at large organizations. Addressing this knowledge gap, multiple case studies were conducted at Canadian SMEs that had recently implemented an ERP system. Interviews were conducted with several individuals at each company in addition to obtaining project documents, providing both data and methodological triangulation. Within-case analysis suggested the cases ranged from very successful to very unsuccessful. Cross-case analysis focused on identifying factors that influence implementation success. The influential factors identified are then presented in a conceptual framework. Some influential factors are similar to those traditionally associated with large organizations while others are either newly identified or refined.

About the Speaker

Brent Snider graduated with distinction from Wilfrid Laurier University’s Honours Bachelor of Business Administration program in 1997, majoring in Management Accounting, with a minor in Economics. He obtained the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation from The Society of Management Accountants of Ontario in 2000. In 2002 he commenced the MBA Thesis program at University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business, majoring in Operations Management. Brent joined the Haskayne School of Business Operations Management department as a sessional instructor in 2003, and as a full time instructor in 2004. He teaches in the areas of Operations Management and Decision Analysis for the undergraduate program. Brent also taught at Mount Royal College and for the Society of Management Accountants of Alberta’s Strategic Leadership Program. Brent has worked in the automotive industry with Linamar, the injection molding industry with Husky Injection Molding Systems, and the ERP software industry as in instructor with Navision Software (Microsoft Business Solutions) and a project leader with CSB Systems.