WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? THE CASE OF TWO ERP IMPLEMENTATIONS

This is a unique case study as it is based on two “twin” case studies rather than one. The two cases studies, one from Italy and one from the US, describe the implementation of a SAP Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in two similar organizations. Both organizations are mid-sized companies with similar size workforce and similar size annual sales. Both are in the electronics and telecommunications area. However, this is where the similarity ends. As indicated in the two case studies, the implementation process of the ERP systems, which followed similar steps, unfolded quite differently and resulted in very different outcomes. Thus, while the Italian implementation project met all its goals and was perceived by all participants as a success story, this was not the case for the American project. This teaching case study should give readers an understanding of the stages that a typical ERP implementation project follows, as well as, enable readers to understand the impact that individual, group, organization and national culture variables, have on how the process of implementing ERP systems unfolds and what may contribute to its final outcome.