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ERP system fit – an explorative task and data quality perspective

Paul Glowalla (Department of Information Systems, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany)
Ali Sunyaev (Department of Information Systems, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany)

Journal of Enterprise Information Management

ISSN: 1741-0398

Article publication date: 2 September 2014

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to facilitate understanding of enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and data quality interdependency by presenting ERP systems’ use within data quality management.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply task technology fit (TTF) in an explorative study, conducting semi-structured expert interviews with participants in information technology strategic decision making. The authors analyzed the interviews with iterative descriptive and subsequent interpretive coding.

Findings

Although considered sustainable, continuously increasing regulations challenge ERP systems. However, compliance with regulations may serve as a bridge for organizations to engage in data analysis. Organizations are embedded into evolving task environments with the need to continuously adapt their systems or the organization and the need for contextual understanding of data quality.

Research limitations/implications

With ERP systems being used for administrative functions, future research might draw on extant ERP systems research from the manufacturing sector. However, for insurance-specific tasks, ERP systems and their data need to be considered in a sector-specific context with the need for further research.

Practical implications

ERP systems are considered sustainable. High initial fit is desirable, but the sector's relevance for ERP system vendors might be more important for sustainability. Ensuring TTF will be an increasing challenge with increasing task non-routineness.

Originality/value

Applying TTF provides guidance for fit research, while the qualitative approach accounts for a deeper understanding, especially when exploring data quality issues since deficiencies might have several root causes. The authors show that ERP systems have an impact on data quality beyond its typically examined functionality.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This study has been supported by “ConVista Consulting AG.” The authors want to thank ConVista for funding this study and gaining access to participants for the interviews.

Citation

Glowalla, P. and Sunyaev, A. (2014), "ERP system fit – an explorative task and data quality perspective", Journal of Enterprise Information Management, Vol. 27 No. 5, pp. 668-686. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEIM-08-2013-0062

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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