Moving from Evaluation to Trial: How do SMEs Start Adopting Cloud ERP?

Authors

  • Siti Aisyah Salim Queensland University of Technology
  • Darshana Sedera Queensland University of Technology
  • Sukanlaya Sawang Queensland University of Technology
  • Abdulrahman Hamad E Alarifi Queensland University of Technology
  • Maura Atapattu Queensland University of Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v19i0.1030

Keywords:

SME decision-makers, cloud ERP, TPB, multi-stage

Abstract

The advent of cloud technology involving low subscription overheads cost has provided small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the opportunity to adopt new cloud-based corporate-wide systems (i.e., cloud ERP). This technology, operating through subscription-based services, has now provided SMEs with a complete range of IT applications that were once restricted to larger organisations. As anecdotal evidences suggest, SMEs are increasingly adopting cloud-based ERP software. The selection of an ERP is a complex process involving multiple stages and stakeholders, suggesting the importance of closer examination of cloud ERP adoption in SMEs. Yet, prior studies have predominantly treated technology adoption as a single activity and largely ignored the issue of ERP adoption in SMEs. Understanding of the process nature of the adoption and the factors that are important in each stage of the adoption potentially may result in guiding SMEs to make well-informed decisions throughout the ERP selection process. Thus, our study proposes that the adoption of cloud ERP should be examined as a multi-stage process. Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and Ettlie’s adoption stages, as well as employing data gathered from 162 owners of SMEs, our findings show that the factors that influence the intention to adopt cloud ERP vary significantly across adoptive stages.

Author Biographies

Siti Aisyah Salim, Queensland University of Technology

Siti Aisyah is a final year PhD student at the Information Systems School at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia. Her research area is cloud ERP adoption in SMEs. Aisyah has had a number of articles published in various outlets including Computer & Education journal as well as leading international conferences such as PACIS and ACIS.

Darshana Sedera, Queensland University of Technology

Dr. Darshana Sedera leads the Enterprise Systems study group. He is an associate professor at the Queensland University of Technology and has served as an academic for the past 9 years. He has over 90 publications to his credit on topics related to Enterprise Systems, Knowledge Management, Supply Chain Management. His publications appeared in several journals and conferences. Highlights include publications at the Journal of the Association for Information Systems, CAIS, the Journal of Strategic Information Systems Information and Management, Journal of IT Case Studies and the AJIS. His 2010 publication at the Journal of Strategic Information Systems is one of the top-15 most downloaded papers from Elsevier Publications. He also has 11 ICIS papers since 2008.

Sukanlaya Sawang, Queensland University of Technology

Sukanlaya Sawang is a senior lecture (Associate Professor equivalent) at QUT Business School, Australia. Her research primarily focuses on two main areas within the field of organizational effectiveness: cross-cultural psychological wellbeing; and innovation adoption small to medium enterprises (SMEs). She has developed considerable research and impact within both of these spheres. She received a number of awards – including the ‘Emerald Management Reviews Citation of Excellence’; the ‘Best Paper Awards’ from the Academy of Management (AOM); and the ‘AGSE International Entrepreneurship Research Exchange’ award. Her research has been published in various journals, such as Technovation, Journal of Small Business Management and Applied Psychology: International

Abdulrahman Hamad E Alarifi, Queensland University of Technology

Abdul is a final year PhD student at the Information Systems School at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.

Maura Atapattu, Queensland University of Technology

Maura is a final year PhD student at the Information Systems School at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia. He has published in various outlets including Australian Journal of Information Systems (AJIS) and leading international conferences such as ECIS and PACIS.

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Published

2015-10-21

How to Cite

Salim, S. A., Sedera, D., Sawang, S., E Alarifi, A. H., & Atapattu, M. (2015). Moving from Evaluation to Trial: How do SMEs Start Adopting Cloud ERP?. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 19. https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v19i0.1030

Issue

Vol. 19 (2015)

Section

Research on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

License

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