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Developing an ERP technology: Handling incompleteness of the system

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  • Bürkland, Sirle
  • Zachariassen, Frederik

Abstract

This study explores the development of ERP technology as an inscription. A single case study in a food manufacturing firm investigates the development of a technological script for manufacturing operations. The study shows the sense of incompleteness that accompanies ERP system development and explains how organizational members and system developers experience and attempt to compensate for that incompleteness by adding more particularity, trying to restore continuity, and compensating for the loss of multiplicity in the system. The study explains how these actions lead to the production of more inscriptions and the addition of layers of activity to the ERP system that the users of the system must then deal with.

Suggested Citation

  • Bürkland, Sirle & Zachariassen, Frederik, 2014. "Developing an ERP technology: Handling incompleteness of the system," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 30(4), pages 409-426.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:scaman:v:30:y:2014:i:4:p:409-426
    DOI: 10.1016/j.scaman.2014.08.009
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