The Contingent Effects of Social Networks on Social Learning in ERP Assimilation

摘要

In the assimilation stage of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, a major challenge for employees and managers is to overcome knowledge barriers and learn ERP knowledge efficiently. Social learning refers to informal learning-from-others in daily works. Prior literature has shown benefits of social networks on individual learning. However, several studies suggested that the value of social networks doesn't generalize to all conditions. We employed a comparative case study to identify key components of social learning and investigate the contingent effects of social networks on social learning in different organizational settings. Data obtained by interviewing 23 ERP users in two firms in China indicate that 1) social learning is a bidirectional process with two essential stages, 2) instrumental ties, position homophily, external ties, and centrality of ERP learning network are positively associated with social learning, and 3) expressive ties and rank homophily affect social learning contingently.