Classification of Users in Open-Source ERP Implementation with Diffusion of Innovation Theory to Determine Change Strategy

Using open-source Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has become a strategy for modernizing organizational information systems. Companies want a higher level of transparency, but financial constraints make them adopt open-source ERP as an alternative to proprietary ERP, which requires high investment costs. Many users in the company implementing ERP face various challenges. Some show ease in adapting, while others may face difficulties. However, often in projects, especially those of a less structured nature, there is a tendency to assume that the level of readiness of all users is the same. This paper shows preliminary findings from the study to know the factors determining each user group’s decision to adopt open-source ERP. Diffusion of Innovation theory was used to guide the classification and analysis of user characteristics. Data was obtained by interviewing users from various backgrounds and skill levels, and data was analyzed using a qualitative approach. This research presented a classification of user characteristics, allowing for grouping based on the level of readiness and adaptation to Open-Source ERP. These findings form the basis for developing best practice recommendations and provide important insights to support a more effective implementation strategy.