Sensemaking, complexity and ERP systems adoption : a conceptual study with reference to Project Phakama in the City of Johannesburg

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This thesis provides an interpretation of what happens during Enterprise Resource PlanningSystems (ERP) adoption in the Public Sector and in particular Local Government usingSensemaking and Complexity Theory.Chapter 1 outlines the background and objective of the thesis including the methodologiesused.In Chapter 2 the theoretical foundations of the study are discussed. The theories are carefullymeshed together to provide a new angle to interpret and analyse what takes place in ERPadoption.Chapter 3 provides a detailed description of the case study, Programme Phakama. ProgrammePhakama implemented an Enterprise Resource Planning solution in the City of Johannesburg.Chapter 4 contains an explanation of what happened in other projects with the same mandatewithin the public service elsewhere in the world. This in comparison to what happened inProject Phakama, to highlight the similarities or differences during the evolvement of theprojects.The last two chapters provide the interpretation and recommendations using the conclusionarrived at in Chapter 4 from a Complexity and Sensemaking perspective. There are no rightor wrong answers in ERP projects, only good or bad decisions. The number of changes to bemanaged in ERP projects is overwhelming. Therefore many projects are challenged,regardless of success, failure or abandonment.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University