The Integrative role of ERP implementation in mergers and acquisition

RISO researchers have an active interest in the integrative role of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning systems) in mergers and acquisitions. The implementation of ERP has been studied and written about extensively perhaps partly because early implementations were so fraught with problems. These have diminished as the body of knowledge has grown. However as international communication costs have come down, and implementers have become more knowledgeable about these systems, so the application of these systems has become more ambitious. For instance multiple sites in different geographical regions sharing common databases are no longer unusual. The above factors have contributed to the use of implementation of ERP systems as an integrative process following a merger or acquisition. Such initiatives have had mixed success.

RISO researchers are currently working with a large US based corporation studying the contributors to the successful use of ERP implementation in the integration of a number of newly acquired and merged businesses in the Asia Pacific region between 1998 and 2007, and to a recent failure of the process. RISO researchers will then be applying the proposed contributors to success to the integration of a business newly acquired by the corporation in 2008. It is hoped to continue this research post 2008 through studying the integration of further acquisitions by above corporation and others.

See Working Papers:

• Grainger N, McKay J, (2007) The Integrative Role of ERP in Mergers and Acquisitions .