ERP integration in a healthcare environment: a case study

Purpose – Aims at providing a classification of the ERP integration concept in a healthcare organization and at presenting a real world example of process integration using SAP R/3. Design/methodology/approach – Research is based on a case study involving in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with key stakeholders and action research conducted in the hospital during the ERP implementation period. Findings – Findings suggest that an apparently simple software implementation of an ordering process can have a considerable impact on stakeholders in a complex environment operating ERP software. Organizational change issues, implementation and integration issues of SAP R/3 with other non‐SAP systems and SCM considerations are discussed. Originality/value – Analyzes enterprise integration concept specifically in a healthcare environment and describes a real world process integration solution (missing from the literature) achieved by using SAP R/3 software.