Empirical Examination of User Acceptance of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in the United

176 Pages·2017·1.43 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2016
Empirical Examination of User Acceptance of
Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in the
United States
Rohan Oldacre
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Management and Technology

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Rohan Oldacre

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. David Bouvin, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty
Dr. Godwin Igein, Committee Member, Management Faculty
Dr. Lee Lee, University Reviewer, Management Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2016
Abstract

Empirical Examination of User Acceptance of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in
the United States
by
Rohan Roy Oldacre

MBA, Webster University, 2007
BS, Cameron University, 2004

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Information Systems Management

Walden University
February 2016
Abstract
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are complex software packages that support
an integrated real-time setting among the various business functions in an entire
organization. ERP systems improve productivity, but only to the extent that employees
accept and use the systems extensively to perform their duties. The leaders of many
organizations have not been able to realize the expected benefits because of a lack of user
acceptance. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional survey study was to examine
the factors that influence user acceptance of ERP systems in the United States. Davis’s
technology acceptance model was the theoretical foundation used to relate the
independent variables (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use) to the dependent
variable (user acceptance of ERP systems). The focus of the research questions was on
the strength of the relationships between each of the independent variables and user
acceptance of ERP systems in the United States. Data were from 97 purposively selected
ERP system end users in the United States using the survey instrument based on the
technology acceptance model. Regression and correlation analyses revealed a positive
relationship between perceived usefulness and user acceptance, but no relationship was
found between perceived ease of use and user acceptance. The findings indicated
difficulties in using ERP systems for end users in the United States, which stakeholders
could rectify to improve productivity in organizations. Positive social change
implications include improving the standard of living, increasing the literacy rate, and
reducing negative externalities to improve human and social conditions in society.
Empirical Examination of User Acceptance of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in
the United States
by
Rohan Roy Oldacre

MBA, Webster University, 2007
BS, Cameron University, 2004

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Information Systems Management

Walden University
February 2016
Dedication
I dedicate this dissertation to my mother, Icelyn Maine, who started me out on my
education journey and was my source of inspiration because she has always valued
higher education.
Acknowledgments
I would not have completed this dissertation successfully without the exemplary
guidance of Dr. David Bouvin, committee chair, Dr. Godwin Igein, committee member,
and Dr. Lee Lee, university research reviewer. I truly and sincerely appreciate the
Walden University team.
Table of Contents
List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1
Introduction ....................................................................................................................1
Background of the Study ...............................................................................................2
Problem Statement .........................................................................................................6
Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................7
Research Questions and Hypotheses .............................................................................7
Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................................8
Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................11
Definitions....................................................................................................................13
Assumptions .................................................................................................................14
Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................15
Limitations ...................................................................................................................16
Significance of the Study .............................................................................................18
Significance to Theory .......................................................................................... 19
Significance to Practice......................................................................................... 20
Significance to Social Change .............................................................................. 21
Summary and Transition ..............................................................................................23
Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................25
Introduction ..................................................................................................................25
Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................26
i
Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................28
Literature Review.........................................................................................................34
History of ERP Systems........................................................................................ 34
ERP System Software ........................................................................................... 36
Purpose of ERP Systems ....................................................................................... 37
Implementation of ERP Systems .......................................................................... 39
Benefits of ERP Systems ...................................................................................... 42
ERP Systems in the United States ........................................................................ 45
User Adoption of Information Technology .......................................................... 48
Perceived Usefulness of Information Technology ................................................ 57
Perceived Ease of Use of Information Technology .............................................. 59
User Acceptance of Information Technology ....................................................... 62
Gap in the Literature ............................................................................................. 65
Summary and Conclusions ..........................................................................................68
Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................70
Introduction ..................................................................................................................70
Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................71
Methodology ................................................................................................................74
Population ............................................................................................................. 74
Sample and Sampling Procedures ......................................................................... 74
Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection .......................... 77
Instrumentation ..................................................................................................... 79
ii
Operationalization of Constructs .......................................................................... 82
Data Analysis Plan .......................................................................................................88
Threats to Validity .......................................................................................................91
External Validity ................................................................................................... 91
Internal Validity .................................................................................................... 93
Construct Validity ................................................................................................. 94
Ethical Procedures ................................................................................................ 95
Summary ......................................................................................................................96
Chapter 4: Results ..............................................................................................................98
Introduction ..................................................................................................................98
Data Collection ............................................................................................................99
Data Collection Process ...................................................................................... 100
Demographic Characteristics .............................................................................. 100
Reliability of the Survey Instrument ................................................................... 103
Descriptive Statistics for Usefulness .................................................................. 103
Descriptive Statistics for Ease of Use ................................................................. 104
Study Results .............................................................................................................105
Regression Analysis ............................................................................................ 107
Demographic Analysis ........................................................................................ 109
Summary ....................................................................................................................109
Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations ..........................................112
Introduction ................................................................................................................112
iii