Implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in Kenyan Public Universities, A Case of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

Abstract

Due to market competition and continuous pressure on businesses, there is always a need to adopt innovative tools and techniques, to reduce waste and concentrate on value adding activities. Universities are under pressures from every direction, from reduced government funding to expectations by students and parents to deliver ever-higher quality services for lower costs. ERP systems can help university leaders to face these challenges by, aligning their business processes and providing essential information to facilitate timely more- informed decision-making. Implementation of ERP systems is costly as revealed in the study of Ohio States University and University of Minnesota where the budgeted cost increased by 62% and do not produce returns immediately. This raises concern on implementation of ERP in Kenyan Universities. The purpose of this study was to examine the implementation of ERP system in Kenyan public Universities. The research designs used was descriptive survey designs. The target population was115 staff and the study sample consisted of 60 staff. The study used questionnaires and interview schedules as research instruments. Reliability of the instruments was ensured by piloting the questionnaire. Validity of the research instruments were ensured through the advice of the specialist in the Department of Business Management in the School of Human Resource Development whose views were incorporated in redrafting the final instruments. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analysed. Analysis of data collected was done using regression, correlation and descriptive statistics. The study findings revealed that 85% of implementation of ERP system is accounted for by integration of Human Resource, Finance, Procurement, Students Affairs and Computer Science. Also Gender and duration of use of ERP system were significant to ERP systems implementation where 28.8% of implementation of ERP system was accounted for by gender and duration of use. Key words: ERP, Implementation, Masinde Muliro, Universities