Enterprise Resource Planning Systems and Knowledge Management: A Review of the Literature and Conceptual Framework

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive review of the literature published in various articles dated back to 1998 on the role of Knowledge Management (KM) in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. This article follows the literature published in this context focusing on two basic themes: KM supporting the ERP systems and KM integration into the ERP system. All the articles published on the relationship between KM and ERP systems published since 1998 were searched. Articles were sorted out on the basic themes they addressed. Most of the work on the role of KM in ERP systems was grouped into two main categories depending on the research subject matter. Integration of ERP systems being one of these basic themes was further investigated, enlisting all possible research articles published so far. Literature review on the KM and ERP relationship can be concludes that despite different relationships explored in the literature, KM has a vital role to play in the success of the ERP system. It is one of the critical success factors which complements the ERP systems to the extent that its absence will diminish the very essence, that is the adaption of ERP systems for the companies signified by the competitive advantage, market agility, and organization efficiency.