Enterprise resource planning: A study of user satisfaction with reference to construction industry

Abstract

An Enterprise Resource Planning system (ERP) is a packaged business software system that integrates a series of modular software applications to serve all functions of an "Enterprise", including work flow and document management, scheduling, cost control, human resource management, procurement, quality control and reporting. It is used by many industries to support company business processes. This study identified and analyzed the factors that are associated with the implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) in the construction industry. It also attempted to conduct a comparative analysis of user satisfaction with ERP between construction and non-construction industries. A questionnaire was developed to collect the data through case studies from both construction and non-construction industries. Companies that used ERP systems in the United States were identified. Forty companies were randomly selected for case studies - 20 from the construction industry and 20 from the non-construction industries. The results of the study indicate a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of user satisfaction with ERP as a product, vendor service for the systems, and knowledge of the users and their involvement with the systems. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2009.