The Strategic Value of Enterprise Resource Planning at Anglican Church of Kenya Development Services - Nyanza Region - Limited, Kenya

Abstract

An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System is an Information Technology solution for organizations that helps in streamlining and integrating operations, organizational processes and workflows to synergize the resources Of an organization making it one unified system. The purpose of the study was to determine the strategic value of Enterprise Resource Planning at ADS Nyanza Region Limited. This study employed a case study design. The data for the study was collected from respondents through interviewing of the top management and from secondary data. The key findings of the study found that the ERP system installed in place has so far helped the organization in improving accountability, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness of the organization tool as a whole. As a result the donor funds were properly accounted for in a transparent manner. In conclusion, it was found that the system added some strategic value to the organization and staff as whole in terms of improving the general performance, financial reporting, decision making, efficiency, organizational effectiveness, reduced paperwork, improved staff productivity, increased customer satisfaction, manageable labour costs, integrating and controlling of processes, better management of projects, donor funds and donors. It is therefore recommended that donor funded organizations must therefore be accountable to all parties concerned which may include donors/funders, stakeholders, business partners, Government and/or private agencies and program beneficiaries. Strategic value therefore is not limited to financial calculations, but includes quality, time and risk criteria. ERP system should therefore not be viewed by the organizations as just automating routine clerical operations but as a way of improving accountability, transparency and efficiency in a way that would provide significant strategic value. There is however more room for further research that should focus on several areas of an ERP System in relation to the implementing organization and other organizations that needs further exploration for the benefit of practice and policy making.