Strategies for Implementing a Successful Enterprise Resource Planning System

Strategies for Implementing a Successful Enterprise Resource Planning System by Wanda A. Swanier MA, Navy War College, 2004 BS, La Verne University, 1998 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University April 2016 Abstract The U.S. Department of Defense executives consider enterprise resource planning systems as a critical technology because of increasingly global operations and audit compliance pressures, which may affect organizational performance and overall success. The estimated cost to implement enterprise resources systems to avoid failure and meet budget cost across the Department of Defense services and agencies has ranged from $530 million to $2.4 billion. Guided by the general systems theory, the purpose of this single-case study was to explore enterprise resource planning strategies developed and implemented by United States Marine Corps military leaders. Data collection consisted of a review of organizational documents and semistructured interviews of 5 organizational leaders in a United States Marine Corps base in Albany, Georgia. Data analysis entailed interview transcription, keyword and phrase coding, and emergent theme identification. The prominent emergent themes were essential strategic planning guidance and organizational leaders and change management, which are the essential components for effectively implementing enterprise resource planning systems. The Department of Defense executives and senior leaders may use the findings of this study to develop an essential strategic plan, which could reduce the excessive cost and over-budget associated with enterprise resource planning systems. Social change implications include enhancing end user knowledge and reducing inefficiencies within organizations to improve corporate social responsibility.The U.S. Department of Defense executives consider enterprise resource planning systems as a critical technology because of increasingly global operations and audit compliance pressures, which may affect organizational performance and overall success. The estimated cost to implement enterprise resources systems to avoid failure and meet budget cost across the Department of Defense services and agencies has ranged from $530 million to $2.4 billion. Guided by the general systems theory, the purpose of this single-case study was to explore enterprise resource planning strategies developed and implemented by United States Marine Corps military leaders. Data collection consisted of a review of organizational documents and semistructured interviews of 5 organizational leaders in a United States Marine Corps base in Albany, Georgia. Data analysis entailed interview transcription, keyword and phrase coding, and emergent theme identification. The prominent emergent themes were essential strategic planning guidance and organizational leaders and change management, which are the essential components for effectively implementing enterprise resource planning systems. The Department of Defense executives and senior leaders may use the findings of this study to develop an essential strategic plan, which could reduce the excessive cost and over-budget associated with enterprise resource planning systems. Social change implications include enhancing end user knowledge and reducing inefficiencies within organizations to improve corporate social responsibility. Strategies for Implementing a Successful Enterprise Resource Planning System by Wanda A. Swanier MA, Navy War College, 2004 BS, La Verne University, 1998 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University April 2016 Dedication To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, this doctoral study is for your glory. Without any reservations, I dedicate my doctoral study to my late mother, Lillie B. Thompson, who was the monarch of our family and an advocate for education and higher learning. Mother, I continue to strive to share your passion for education with my children and grandchildren, to make you proud of me. I believe that we can achieve the impossible with determination and faith. Acknowledgments This milestone achievement is a testimony of my faith. I truly thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for inspiration, determination, and my desire to live for his purpose. Secondly, I would like to acknowledge and offer a special thanks to my wonderful and supportive husband, Victor Swanier, the wind beneath my wings for his unselfish support, unconditional love, and sacrifices throughout this entire journey. To my children Antonio, Victor, Ashley, and grandchildren, thank you for your patience, quietness, and love. To Rosie Swanier and Greta Crawford, no words can express my love and gratitude for your encouragement, love, and support. I hope that this achievement compensates for the missed girl-friend times and complaints from me you endured during this journey. I would like to acknowledge my caring and excellent chairperson, Dr. John House, who has been my motivator and partner throughout this journey. I almost gave up but you encouraged me to push hard. I would like to acknowledge Dr. Mohamad Saleh Hammoud and Dr. John Glenn for assisting me and coaching me through scholarly perspective in understanding the doctoral journey. I would like to acknowledge Dr. Alecia Brooks for coaching, mentoring, and listening to my woes about this doctoral program. Because of our many late night sessions, I was able to complete this doctoral study. Finally, I would like to acknowledge participants behind the scene who scholarly shaped this doctoral study and helped to make experiences with Walden memorably and to make this doctoral study a reality.