Abstract:
Systems for enterprise resource planning (ERP) are widely used to enhance decisionmaking, integrate business processes, and provide a competitive advantage (CA).
However, a lack of focus on human and cultural factors often causes many ERP
initiatives to underperform. This study examines the people factor in ERP
implementation, focusing on how strategic alignment, process optimisation, project
maturity and training affect ERP use and organisational competitiveness. A
Systematic Review (SR) conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2009 and 2020
guidelines served as the foundation for the study. The PROSPERO database has the
research registered under the number CRD42021243116. After a transparent
screening and eligibility process, 44 studies published after 2000 were chosen from
an initial pool of 502 publications. Project management training and knowledge
bases, business process reengineering user interfaces, strategic alignment, industry
standards and integration management were among the recurrent constructs of the
review, which synthesised the evidence on people-centric determinants of ERP
success. The conceptual model was developed with the assistance of the SR process,
and 11 hypotheses were formulated that linked ERP use to CA. Seventy-two
participants from 42 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) with ERP systems
in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region participated in an empirical survey to support and
validate the review findings. Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling
(PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the data. SmartPLS4 was employed to evaluate the
conceptual model. The findings validated the hypothesised relationships, showing
that the use of ERP considerably improves CA (β = 0.097, t = 0.783, p < .001) in a
culturally aligned context. This paper offers both theoretical and practical contributions
by integrating empirical validation with SR evidence. Theoretically, it illustrates how
human factors—which are often overlooked in ERP research—are crucial to achieving
CA. SMEs can benefit from its practical advice, which includes investing in change
management, ongoing training, and structured project governance, redesigning
processes to increase efficiency, and creating project teams that align with company
culture. This dual strategy emphasises how companies can win from within by utilising
the human element in ERP implementation to gain a long-term competitive edge.
