Abstract:
Despite heavy investment in Enterprise Resource Planning system (ERP), it is not yet vivid how Kenyan Universities have involved users in implementation of the system for the realization of their operations to obtain the benefits from this investment. This research sought to evaluate user involvement in implementation of ERP systems in public universities. Objectives of this study were to: examine extent of user involvement in the implementation of ERP system employed, establish user factors in the implementation of the ERP system employed and finally to find out the challenges encountered in implementing the ERP system in public universities. The study used Information Systems Success Model and Diffusion of Innovation Theories. The researcher adopted a survey research design and the area of the study was Kisii University. Target population comprised of 1130 with a sample size of 92 respondents. Questionnaires were used for data collection. Results were presented in form of frequency, percentages and tables. Findings showed that majority of the ERP users were of the opinion that user involvement was imperative to a large extent (M=2.09; SD=0.802), there was a strong positive relationship between the extent of user involvement and ERP system implementation (r=.854). User factors had high influence in implementation of the ERP systems (M=2.22; SD=1.116). Results further indicated that there were various challenges facing the implementation of ERP systems in public universities (M=2.29; SD=.963). Therefore, the study concludes that despite the fact that users were involved in the implementation of ERP systems, there are still a number of executional challenges that need to be addressed by the management for a better for implementation success. The study recommended that, in as much as the university rolled out the implementation of the ERP system which is ongoing, it has not fully done so to realize its value. The university should address the user factors and ERP system implementation challenges for they are fundamental for the success of the ERP system implementation in public universities. This study is valuable to the existing domains of knowledge by acting as a blue print to future researchers on the application of the ERP systems. The results of this research enlighten the management of public universities in making sound decisions on the effectiveness of the ERP system in both administrative and academic functions of the university.
