Exploring the Adaptation of Enterprise Systems Implementation Methodology: A Morphogenetic Approach

Enterprise Systems Implementation Methodology (ESIM) is considered to be a critical factor for successful Enterprise Systems (ES) implementations. In spite of ESIM’s potential and significance for practice, little attention has been paid to this object of study in ES literature. Moreover, current studies reveal contradictory findings and provide a fragmented understanding. The purpose of this paper is to set before the reader an ESIM adaptation framework underpinned by a morphogenetic approach. Our qualitative study resulted in a richer description of ESIM and its adaptation. Four theoretically and empirically ESIM adaptation strategies, i.e. reorienting, cooperative, collaborative and coordinated, with related conditions and effects are suggested. Since ESIM might be regarded as one of the latest interventions undertaken in an attempt to improve the quality of an ES product and the productivity and quality of an implementation process, this study retains valuable insights of prior works in Information Systems Development (ISD) research.