Complexity Theory: Insights from a Canadian ERP Project Implementation

Abstract

This research paper explores complexity theory based on insights from an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation in the Canadian oil and gas industry. The qualitative exploratory case study was conducted in a Canadian case organization using a semi-structured interview guide with a total of twenty interviews from members of four project role groups of senior leaders, project managers, project team members, and business users. Besides interview responses, the study also collected and reviewed ERP project documents for triangulation purposes. The research showed the importance of complexity theory to ERP projects, and the relationship between critical challenges and complex categories of human behavior, system behavior, and ambiguity. The study findings also evoked rich and comprehensive data related to the phenomenon of critical challenges in ERP.