Journal of Information Technology Impact

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are among the largest information technology (IT) investments made by firms. Such systems are diffusing rapidly in the Nordic-Baltic region of Europe. While studies discuss the diffusion of ERP in the region, few studies discuss their success in adopting firms. In this study, we explored the issue of ERP success by sampling the views of private firms in two countries in the region. We employed a three-phase research approach to enhance the validity of our findings. We found that the views of ERP success in an emerging economy (Estonia) and a developed economy (Finland) were similar, and the perception of the qualities and impacts of ERP were not unique to the region, rather they are comparable to those reported in the literature. In that regard, the informational quality of ERP was the highest rated (order of importance) dimension of success for firms in our sample, and organizational impact rated the lowest. Another notable observation in the study was that ERP success in adopting firms in the region might be related to the nature of ERP being acquired, namely, less complex systems may be providing higher success levels. The implications of the findings for both practice and research are highlighted and we outlined areas for future research.