Title: Implementing ERP through continuous improvement

Authors: W.H. Ip, K.Y. Chau, S.F. Chan

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Hong Kong. Hong Kong Quality Management Association, Hong Kong. Hong Kong Quality Management Association, Hong Kong

Abstract: Enterprises Resource Planning (ERP) is one of the most popular manufacturing information systems employed to help manufacturing companies gain competitive advantages. However, earlier studies identified that People, Education and Training, Management Involvement and Timing are four major obstacles to implementation. This paper proposed a continuous improvement approach to overcome these difficulties. It aims to formulate a systematic implementation process that incorporates the tools of continuous improvement and considers the behavioural aspects in ERP implementation. The results demonstrate that ERP implementation is much more convoluted than the simple and straightforward processes described by other researchers; continuous improvement is the most useful methodology.

Keywords: MRP/ERP; decision making; continuous improvement; TQM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2002.002519

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2002 Vol.4 No.6, pp.465-478

Published online: 19 Jul 2003 *

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