Welcome to the InfoSci Platform
Reference Hub9
The Mediating Role of Absorptive Capacity in Knowledge Transfer: ERP Implementations in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Sub-Sahara Africa

The Mediating Role of Absorptive Capacity in Knowledge Transfer: ERP Implementations in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Sub-Sahara Africa

Femi Adisa, Jeremy Rose
Copyright: © 2013 |Volume: 9 |Issue: 2 |Pages: 19
ISSN: 1548-1115|EISSN: 1548-1123|EISBN13: 9781466632707|DOI: 10.4018/jeis.2013040101
Cite Article Cite Article

MLA

Adisa, Femi, and Jeremy Rose. "The Mediating Role of Absorptive Capacity in Knowledge Transfer: ERP Implementations in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Sub-Sahara Africa." IJEIS vol.9, no.2 2013: pp.1-19. http://doi.org/10.4018/jeis.2013040101

APA

Adisa, F. & Rose, J. (2013). The Mediating Role of Absorptive Capacity in Knowledge Transfer: ERP Implementations in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Sub-Sahara Africa. International Journal of Enterprise Information Systems (IJEIS), 9(2), 1-19. http://doi.org/10.4018/jeis.2013040101

Chicago

Adisa, Femi, and Jeremy Rose. "The Mediating Role of Absorptive Capacity in Knowledge Transfer: ERP Implementations in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Sub-Sahara Africa," International Journal of Enterprise Information Systems (IJEIS) 9, no.2: 1-19. http://doi.org/10.4018/jeis.2013040101

Export Reference

Mendeley
Favorite Full-Issue Download

Abstract

Knowledge transfer between consultants and organizational users influences the outcomes of an Enterprise Resource System (ERP) implementation. Configuration and implementation tasks are dependent on generating some level of shared understanding of both business practices and technology. These problems become acute in implementations in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs often operate with non-standard business processes, making an effective interchange of process knowledge between consultants and end-users crucial. Using a multiple case study method and content analysis, the authors investigate the mediating role of absorptive capacity in knowledge transfer in SMEs ERP implementations. They present exploratory case studies from 3 Nigerian companies with varying outcomes, and hypothesize that knowledge transfer is complicated by acute information asymmetry, absence of pre-existing related knowledge and consequent difficulties in developing a shared understanding, and by a tendency to operate with lone consultants and lone organizational representatives.

Request Access

You do not own this content. Please login to recommend this title to your institution's librarian or purchase it from the IGI Global bookstore.