Successful Strategies for Energy Sector Enterprise Resource Planning Projects

Successful Strategies for Energy Sector Enterprise Resource Planning Projects by Dora Kwei Arko EMBA, University of Ghana, Legon, 2011 BSc, Valley View University, 2008 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University August 2019 Abstract Business leaders use enterprise resource planning (ERP) to integrate and streamline business functions and processes. Each year, the majority of these projects fail due to project managers’ ineffective management of the project scope. The successful implementation of ERP software enhances the flow of information in organizations and tends to improve the performance of employees and job satisfaction, resulting in improved sustainability and profitability. The Leavitt organizational change management model was used as the conceptual framework for this multiple-case study. The purpose of the study was to explore the strategies project managers in the energy sector used to implement successful ERP projects. The target population included 3 project managers from 3 energy-sector companies in the Greater Accra region of Ghana and the Nairobi region of Kenya who have successfully implemented ERP projects. Data were collected using face-to-face, semistructured interviews. Data analysis consisted of reviewing interview transcripts, grouping the data into themes, and interpreting the meaning of the themes and data. The 5 main emerging thematic categories encompass the strategies shared by the 3 participants, which were competency of the project managers, competency of the project team members, the involvement of the stakeholders, strategicBusiness leaders use enterprise resource planning (ERP) to integrate and streamline business functions and processes. Each year, the majority of these projects fail due to project managers’ ineffective management of the project scope. The successful implementation of ERP software enhances the flow of information in organizations and tends to improve the performance of employees and job satisfaction, resulting in improved sustainability and profitability. The Leavitt organizational change management model was used as the conceptual framework for this multiple-case study. The purpose of the study was to explore the strategies project managers in the energy sector used to implement successful ERP projects. The target population included 3 project managers from 3 energy-sector companies in the Greater Accra region of Ghana and the Nairobi region of Kenya who have successfully implemented ERP projects. Data were collected using face-to-face, semistructured interviews. Data analysis consisted of reviewing interview transcripts, grouping the data into themes, and interpreting the meaning of the themes and data. The 5 main emerging thematic categories encompass the strategies shared by the 3 participants, which were competency of the project managers, competency of the project team members, the involvement of the stakeholders, strategic practices employed and followed, and other strategies for improvement. From the perspective of positive social change, the findings of this study may provide insight that business leaders can use to improve the performance of their firms, enhance sustainability and profitability, and create employment opportunities for the community. Successful Strategies for Energy Sector Enterprise Resource Planning Projects by Dora Kwei Arko EMBA, University of Ghana, Legon, 2011 BSc, Valley View University, 2008 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University August 2019 Dedication This doctoral study is dedicated to all those who believed and supported me throughout this journey. Without each of you, none of this would have been possible. Many thanks to my wonderful husband, Theophilus, for the immeasurable support. To my cherished duo, Theophylla and Daniel, your invaluable support was pivotal in this journey; thank you and never give up on learning. I hope I have shown you the way. Dare to dream and remember; you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13 KJV). Most of all, never give up on your dreams. Acknowledgments First and foremost, I am eternally grateful to the Good Lord for the blessing of knowledge, strength, and perseverance to complete this journey. No worthwhile accomplishments are singularly achieved by one person; this feat has been accomplished through teamwork and relationships developed within personal, professional, and academic interactions. Those with remarkable fingerprints on these study pages include my dedicated doctoral study committee. Special acknowledgments to my chair, Dr. Jamiel Vadell, for the patience, constant encouragement, unwavering support, and guidance. To Dr. Tim Truitt, my second committee member; Dr. Matthew Knight, my university research reviewer, and Dr. Susan Davis, the DBA program director, many thanks, and God richly bless you all for the commitment and guidance through the doctoral study process. To my family, friends, colleagues, and cohorts, God richly bless you all; each of you added a unique perspective to this study and value to my work and life. Your support and commitment made this journey possible.