Revised Ecis Dc Research Proposal the Implementation of Erp Technology within a University Administration: Working to Achieve a Local System from the ‘global Solution’

This proposal details a doctoral study analyzing one of the first ERP projects within a prestigious US university, an initiative that opened organizational ‘doors’ to multiple actor–networks whose narratives challenged system localization efforts. University administrators find themselves within an increasingly complex and competitive environment and have turned to ICT’s for support. Through an in-depth, qualitative case study this project seeks to answer the following research questions. Why are contentious global, ERP business systems being implemented within this distinctive setting? How do people cope with the introduction of previously unknown political forces and how do these alien influences shape the outcome of the project? The paper presents a distinctive use of social theory as the means for addressing this research agenda and presents expected contributions to theory and practice. In the final section of the proposal the most pressing challenges for the completion of the doctoral thesis are addressed.