The roles of enterprise systems in e-initiative implementation: A case study of PowerCo

Most previous enterprise systems (ES) studies have focused on critical success factors or stand-alone implementations without taking into consideration that ES implementation forms only part of an overall e-business implementation. In our in-depth case study of PowerCo, we gather qualitative data on the roles of ES, and develop a framework of the ES transformation process as it unfolds. The developmental framework provides a means to monitor the changing roles of ES within the context of e-business strategies. Our study contributes to ES research by articulating a transformational life cycle framework that complements existing empirical studies in showing how ES could act as integrator as well as facilitator of other ES initiatives.