The ERP Advantage. Unleashing the Power Within to Conquer the Business Battlefield: A Systematic Review

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are critical components for integrating business processes and enabling competitive advantage; however, the human and cultural aspects of ERP use are insufficiently researched in the literature, particularly in the Asia–Pacific (APAC) region. This study adds originality to the literature by focusing on the people factor and investigating the impact of user age, involvement, teamwork, and cultural alignment on ERP adaptation and performance outcomes. A conceptual model has been developed with the help of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA-2020). Guidelines were followed during all stages of this review from May 2021 to January 2022. A total of 502 research papers published after 2000 were inspected to determine which 44 publications to include, using the PRISMA data flow diagram. The research has been conducted for SMEs in the Asia Pacific (APAC) and gathered data using a survey tool, targeting companies that have already implemented ERP systems in their production processes. PLS-SEM was used to analyse the data quantitatively, and Hypotheses were tested. The results indicated positive relationships with the hypothesis. We have concluded that the high adaptation of the ERP system significantly influences (β = 0.163, t = 2.963, p = 0.003) the Competitive Advantage as a value-added benefit to business organisations. This paper provides an interpretation of ERP implementations in the APAC region, exploring relatively undiscovered stories about People, Power, Politics, and Competitive Advantages.