ERP as an enabler for economic growth in developing countries: A proposal for a large-scale and sustainable project in Ethiopia

Examination Thesis from the year 2010 in the subject Computer Science - Commercial Information Technology, grade: 1.7, University of Mannheim (Chair of Business Administration and Information Systems), course: Computer Science - Commercial Information Technology, language: English, abstract: In today's global economy Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are credited with their transformative capacity for national economies. They represent a promising way to lead developing countries on a path of more rapid development. But ICT for Development (ICT4D) is not only an issue of the development society. For many multinational operating software companies developing continents like Africa with a population of almost half a billion represent a huge, still untapped market. The German software company SAP AG for example is engaged in the African Drive Project (ADP). ADP is improving the South African education system by means of ICTs. SAP sees its engagement as an investment in future business areas and emerging markets in the developing world. But the corporate engagement of these big international players does not have to contradict the general aims and goals of the development society. On the contrary, the development assistance sees a crucial role in engaging in public private partnerships (PPP). The OECD notes that PPPs have become a general trend throughout the global economy. Convergence and consolidation of the fast moving ICT market demand that not one organization can go it alone. Many ICT4D projects fail due to a lack of technical experience of its members or because they do not take into account the sustainability of implementation. It is important to realize, that ICT4D projects are at their core information systems development projects and thus one should not neglect the technical issues beside social and cultural considerations. The current focus of ICT4D is on initiatives for pro-poor growth and many published success stories for example deal

In today's global economy Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are credited with their transformative capacity for national economies. They represent a promising way to lead developing countries on a path of more rapid development. But ICT for Development (ICT4D) is not only an issue of the development society. For many multinational operating software companies developing continents like Africa with a population of almost half a billion represent a huge, still untapped market. The German software company SAP AG for example is engaged in the African Drive Project (ADP). ADP is improving the South African education system by means of ICTs. SAP sees its engagement as an investment in future business areas and emerging markets in the developing world. But the corporate engagement of these big international players does not have to contradict the general aims and goals of the development society. On the contrary, the development assistance sees a crucial role in engaging in public private partnerships (PPP). The OECD notes that PPPs have become a general trend throughout the global economy. Convergence and consolidation of the fast moving ICT market demand that not one organization can go it alone. Many ICT4D projects fail due to a lack of technical experience of its members or because they do not take into account the sustainability of implementation. It is important to realize, that ICT4D projects are at their core information systems development projects and thus one should not neglect the technical issues beside social and cultural considerations. The current focus of ICT4D is on initiatives for pro-poor growth and many published success stories for example deal with nationwide information systems in health care, agriculture and water supply or with the implementation of information kiosks in rural areas. So far, the development society has neglected the use of ICT4D in the private sector development of a country. But maybe this should be the main fo