A multi-disciplinary review of enablers and barriers to Cloud ERP implementation and innovation outcomes

Purpose: Due to the unprecedented disruptions in business operations, many organisations are turning to Cloud ERP implementation to ensure employees can access real-time business information from anywhere, enabling the continuity of business activities. As a result, over the past decades, literature on Cloud ERP implementation has seen significant growth across different subject areas. This paper aims to present a systematic literature review (SLR) that consolidates the literature scattered across various multidisciplinary subject areas, explores recent developments and identifies knowledge gaps for more impactful future research. Design/methodology/approach: An SLR approach has been applied to a sample of 73 articles published until 1 February 2022. Findings: Our SLR identifies and consolidates a set of critical enablers and barriers to the implementation of Cloud ERP. What is particularly interesting is that this study established a link between these enablers and barriers and four key innovation outcomes: product, service, process and business model innovations. A rigorous framework has been devised that demonstrates the nexus between enablers and barriers to Cloud ERP implementation and innovation outcomes in an organisation. In addition, this study has recognised several organisational theories from information systems literature that have the potential for future research in this emerging area. Research limitations/implications: This SLR makes several theoretical contributions to the literature on Cloud ERP implementation and its impact on innovation outcomes. Practical implications: The review consolidates a wide range of literature to provide decision-makers with an integrated understanding of the most influential factors in Cloud ERP implementation. Originality/value: SLR provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of research on the topic, offering unique perspectives on developments in theory and knowledge gaps, as well as identifying future research opportunities in the area.