Affiliations: [a] School of Information Technology, College of Applied Science and Technology, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790-5150, USA. E-mail: gene.perez@ilstu.edu | [b] Department of Accounting and MIS, Donald L. Harrison College of Business, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, USA. E-mail: hjwen@ilstu.edu | [c] School of Information Technology, College of Applied Science and Technology, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790-5150, USA. E-mail: pmahata@ilstu.edu
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Abstract: This paper presents a resources-based theory perspective of managing a SAP project team in order to realize a sustainable competitive advantage. Resource-based theory suggests that resources which are durable, not easily replicable, and imperfectly mobile can be effectively leveraged by the firm in order to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage over its competitors. The analysis which is presented in this paper suggests that the effective implementation of the SAP system by a firm requires not only an acquisition of a high level of technical expertise, but a change in organizational culture from one which rewards individual brilliance to one which encourages project teams. This will create an environment in which the success of any individual in his job is critically dependent on the skills possessed by the other team members. This will render the human component of the SAP resource imperfectly mobile and increase the capability of the firm to leverage this resource in order to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage.
