To Assess the Impact of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in Promoting Business Growth for Manufacturing Industries in Tanzania:

Abstract

The research investigated the influence of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems on business growth in Tanzanian manufacturing industries, focusing on Wilmar Tanzania Limited. Three specific objectives guided the study: evaluating the impact of ERP systems on manufacturing efficiency and productivity, assessing employee satisfaction with system usage and training, and determining how ERP systems enhance decision-making capabilities in manufacturing organizations. Employing a mixed-method approach within a pragmatic philosophy, the study utilized a descriptive research design. Primary data was collected from 45 respondents, including 38 system users and key informants. Interviews and questionnaires were employed for data collection, with SPSS used for statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics and inferential analyses like correlation and multiple regression. Results indicated positive impacts of ERP systems on efficiency, productivity, and employee satisfaction. The ERP system was deemed essential for decision-making, providing real-time and reliable data. The statistical analyses confirmed a significant positive effect on business growth, emphasizing the importance of ERP systems in influencing efficiency, productivity, decision-making, and value generation for business growth in Tanzanian manufacturing entities.