Enhancing supply chain resilience through ERP systems

Abstract

The recent supply chain disruptions that have occurred because of a multitude of macroeconomic factors have showcased the potential ramifications throughout the supply chains such disruptions can create. Additionally, the emergence of ERP-systems as a part of the increased digitization of the current business environment have raised the question on whether ERP-systems can contribute to better decision making and information sharing capabilities which may in turn create higher supply chain resilience.

We have based this thesis on supply chain resilience literature, as well as multi sourcing and digitalization in the procurement sector as they encompass all parts of our research question.

This research has then conducted a qualitative comparative case study with an abductive scientific approach to compile the results of semi-structured interviews with a selection of companies with varying business model, size and sectors. The result from our analysis was that ERP-systems greatly enhance the companies’ abilities to make quick and informed decisions that originates from well-functioning information sharing practices among the ERP-using companies. These results were in turn compared to the non-ERP-using companies which were a part of this data collection.