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End-user training is a systematic acquisition of relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes required for improved job performance in the workplace. End-user training is widely accepted as a practical approach for updating end-user knowledge (Rowold, 2007; Umble et al., 2003); and a pervasive method for enhancing individuals’ performance (Arthur et al., 2003). Generally, training may infer a planned learning action targeted at improving high-performance work-related skills, knowledge and attitudes. Training is required in all facets of endeavours, especially, in information system terrain which is highly characterised by disruption of work activities (Bradley and Lee, 2007). Training helps to minimise disruption in the work process, and assists end-users to gain some confidence. Because of this, training is considered an important success factor in information (IS) and enterprise systems (ES) deployment (Bedard et al., 2003; Marler et al., 2006).
More importantly, the training phase is crucial in the ES implementation. The training phase is where end-users learn the relevant skills that are required in use of an ES (Chien and Hu, 2009; Marler et al., 2006). While ES packages are promising in meeting the needs of an organisation, the complex nature of the package may often affect end-user acceptance behaviour, subsequent limited utilisation of the package and failure of the implementation (Yi and Davis, 2003; Marler et al., 2006). Though training improves end-users’ task performance, this may also depend on whether end-users adequately apply the knowledge and training experience in work episodes. Training transfer connotes the application or use of skills and knowledge in a task-environment and it signposts whether learning has taken place or not.
The effectiveness of a training programme is contingent by the level of transfer or use of the gained knowledge in task roles. Transfer leads to meaningful job improvement when end-users translate achievements from training in a task-environment. The intricate nature of the ERP software demands a critical mass of knowledge in its mastery and use (Umble et al., 2003). However, using phases of vendor-provided training helps to address skill gaps and assimilation barriers during implementation (Calvert and Seddon, 2006). Based on the above, the context of ERP and IS training fits the dimension of hard skills (Laker and Powell, 2011) which are proficiency and performance based. However, IS research have shown little concern for this ubiquitous IS implementation and assimilation mechanism.
Evidence from prior studies indicate limited studies on this issue in the IS/ES environments (Arasanmi et al., 2017; Arasanmi, in press). Consequently, this current study extends our knowledge on this pertinent issue by examining the impact of social support as well as provide a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of end-users transfer of ERP training. The objectives of this study are to analyse the relationship between supervisor support and training transfer. The study also analyse the sequential mediation of computer self-efficacy and transfer motivation in the relationship between social support and training transfer in an ERP post training context.