Date of Conferral

4-22-2026

Degree

Doctor of Information Technology (D.I.T.)

School

Information Systems and Technology

Advisor

Alan Dawson

Abstract

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) system implementation represents a significant challenge for small businesses, with failure rates that can lead to substantial financial losses and operational disruption. Information Technology (IT) managers in small businesses face a gap in evidence-based strategies tailored to their organizational context, increasing the risk of implementation failure and its associated financial and operational consequences. Grounded in general systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative multicase study was to explore the strategies IT managers use to implement ERP systems in small businesses in central Pennsylvania. The participants were six IT managers from small businesses in Pennsylvania who had led ERP implementations within the past 5 years. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and a review of organizational documents, including ERP project reports, implementation plans, and postimplementation reviews. Through thematic analysis, three themes were identified: (a) implementation preparation, (b) implementation approaches, and (c) scope control. A key recommendation is for IT managers to establish formal scope baselines and tailored, role-based training programs at project outset, and to calibrate change management intensity to the organization’s readiness for change rather than applying a uniform approach regardless of context. The implications for positive social change include the potential for IT managers and business leaders to improve organizational efficiency, enhance employee job satisfaction, and support workforce development within small business environments.

Download

Share

 
COinS