Multidimensional and interrelated barriers and risks affecting long-term ERP success in Chinese state-owned enterprises

The research reported in this paper aimed to identify and explore potential cultural, operational, managerial, organisational and technical barriers and risks that can affect successful long-term exploitation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in Chinese SOEs. The study adopted a mixed-methods research design, which consisted of a questionnaire survey and a follow-up multiple case study. Businessoriented and human-related challenges associated with management deficiencies in Chinese SOEs were found to be the main triggers of the complicated network of ERP exploitation barriers and risks. The importance of these crucial business and organisational barriers however are often underestimated by SOE managers. This study thus concluded by suggesting that Chinese SOEs need to become more aware of the critical importance and the networked nature of the organisational barriers identified. Properly managing this type of ERP obstacles can help Chinese SOEs to mitigate and remove other ERP challenges and risks and thus ensuring long-term success in ERP post-implementation.