Communication and Training Strategies on ERP Project Implementation

Abstract

The successful implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in organizations is heavily reliant on effective change management strategies. This study investigates the effect of change management critical success factors, particularly communication and training strategies, on ERP implementation success in the context of Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) in Kenya. The research is guided by the Diffusion of Innovation theory and Lewin's Three-Step Change Theory. A descriptive research design was adopted, and data was analyzed descriptively and inferentially through correlation and multiple regression. The study included 732 REREC corporate staff in Nairobi, with a sample of 146 selected via simple random sampling. The findings reveal that change management success factors, specifically communication strategy (r= 0.462; p<0.01) and training strategy (r= 0.359; p<0.01), have a statistically significant cause and effect relationship with ERP implementation. Of these relationships, communication strategy holds the highest influence (r= 0.462), followed by training strategy (r= 0.359). The study recommends that REREC should focus on enhancing communication skills, structure, and media in developing communication concepts and plans, while the training strategy should address user training needs, customized training materials, formal training programs, and time allocation.

Keywords: Communication, Training, Critical Success Factors, ERP Implementation, Change Management

DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/15-18-02

Publication date: November 30^th 2023