The introduction of ERP systems within an organisation is generally considered a strategic initiative
and aligned with long-term business objectives. Thus, it is expected that organisations will tie
investment in ERP to achievement of competitive advantage. The large capital and human-intensive
nature of the ERP implementation process necessitates a clear understanding of the long-term effects
and benefits that ERP can bring to the organisation. Some authors have argued that adoption of ERP
systems can help organisations in establishing a platform for, and is instrumental to achieving
competitive advantage (Laframboise and Reyes, 2005). Possessing organisational resources, such as ERP,
has been thought to influence competitiveness (Wu and Wang, 2007b). However, the overall evidence
for this in the literature remains mixed and no clear picture seems to emerge about the role of ERP in
achieving competitive advantage. As such, it has remained a matter of unresolved debate (Seddon, 2005).