Enhancing operational efficiency in the metal manufacturing industry through ERP system implementation: A case study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15282/ijim.20.3.2026.12435Keywords:
ERP System, Delivery, Manufacturing, Efficiency, Case StudyAbstract
The competitiveness and efficiency of manufacturing companies depend on seamless operations and the adoption of up-to-date technologies. However, reliance on manual tools such as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets often results in errors, delays, and inefficiencies, thereby highlighting the need for more effective systems. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has been widely recognised for its ability to simplify supply chains, reduce costs, and support data-driven decision-making. This study examines current delivery tracking practices and evaluates the impact of ERP implementation using a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected through a face-to-face semi-structured interview with an experienced QA/QC manager and supported by process observations. The findings show that ERP adoption enhances organisational efficiency, strengthens interdepartmental collaboration, improves delivery tracking, and increases customer satisfaction and competitiveness. Overall, the study highlights ERPs as a strategic tool for achieving operational excellence, long-term growth, and sustainability in the manufacturing industry.
References
Adeosun, M. A., & Chukwunweike, S. O. (2024). Bridging the gap: Innovations in supply chain technology through ERP integration and intelligent automation. https://doi.org/10.7753/IJCATR1310.1001
Ahamed, M. Y., Musthafa, M. M., & Marikar, F. (2020). Challenges and benefits of ERP system and non-ERP system integration in a developing country. Global Journal of Management and Business Research: A Administration and Management, 20(10), 69–78. https://journalofbusiness.org/index.php/GJMBR/article/view/3146
Aheleroff, S., Mostashiri, N., Xu, X., & Zhong, R. Y. (2021). Mass personalisation as a service in industry 4.0: A resilient response case study. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 50, Article 101438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2021.101438
Aljawarneh, N., & Al-Omari, Z. (2018). The role of enterprise resource planning systems ERP in improving customer relationship management CRM: An empirical study of Safeway company of Jordan. International Journal of Business and Management, 13(8), 86–100. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v13n8p86
Anaya, L., Flak, L., & Abushakra, A. (2023). Realizing sustainable value from ERP systems implementation. Sustainability, 15(7), Article 5783. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075783
Bhagat, S. K. (2025). ERP in public sector governance: Transforming transparency and accountability. IJSAT–International Journal on Science and Technology, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.71097/IJSAT.v16.i1.2720
Bukhari, W. A. A., Bukhari, A. A. A., Troise, C., Hayat, N., & Bresciani, S. (2025). Green and profitable for sustainable development: The strategic advantage of integrated management systems on environmental, economic and financial performance. Measuring Business Excellence, 29(3), 635–655. https://doi.org/10.1108/MBE-12-2024-0198
Chopra, R., Sawant, L., Kodi, D., & Terkar, R. (2022). Utilization of ERP systems in manufacturing industry for productivity improvement. Materials Today: Proceedings, 62, 1238–1245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.04.529
Ding, B., Ferras Hernandez, X., & Agell Jane, N. (2023). Combining lean and agile manufacturing competitive advantages through Industry 4.0 technologies: An integrative approach. Production Planning & Control, 34(5), 442–458. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2021.1934587
Dubey, D. K., Agarwal, S., Yadav, A. K., Singh, M. K., & Singh, S. K. (2024). Sustainable manufacturing systems: Optimizing resource efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. Indian Journal of Science and Research, 4(2), 93–97.
ElFarmawi, W. (2019). Challenges affecting the implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) system: An analysis. Journal of Systems Integration, 10(3), 35–43. https://doi.org/10.20470/jsi.v10i3.378
Emma, L. (2024). Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems for streamlining organizational processes [Unpublished manuscript]. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/386382658_Enterprise_Resource_Planning_ERP_Systems_for_Streamlining_Organizational_Processes
Feng, C., & Ali, D. A. (2024). Improving the organizational efficiency of manufacturing enterprises: The role of digital transformation, resource planning (ERP), and business practices. Journal of Law and Sustainable Development, 12(3), Article e2439. https://doi.org/10.55908/sdgs.v12i3.2439
Golzar, J., Noor, S., & Tajik, O. (2022). Convenience sampling. International Journal of Education & Language Studies, 1(2), 72–77. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijels.2022.162981
Haraguchi, N., Cheng, C. F. C., & Smeets, E. (2017). The importance of manufacturing in economic development: Has this changed? World Development, 93, 293–315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2016.12.013
Islam, M. R., Zamil, M. Z. H., Rayed, M. E., Kabir, M. M., Mridha, M., Nishimura, S., et al. (2024). Deep learning and computer vision techniques for enhanced quality control in manufacturing processes. IEEE Access, 12. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3453664
Jo, H. (2023). Key factors influencing loyalty and satisfaction toward ERP: Mediating role of flow. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 14(3), 2138–2155. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-022-00981-4
Mahmood, F., Khan, A. Z., & Bokhari, R. H. (2020). ERP issues and challenges: A research synthesis. Kybernetes, 49(3), 629–659. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-12-2018-0699
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. (2019). Consumer satisfaction survey for courier 2019. https://www.mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf/Consumer-Satisfaction-Survey-Courier-2019.pdf
Morawiec, P., & Sołtysik-Piorunkiewicz, A. (2023). ERP system development for business agility in Industry 4.0—A literature review based on the TOE framework. Sustainability, 15(5), Article 4646. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054646
Ndubisi, N. O., Zhai, X., & Lai, K.-H. (2021). Small and medium manufacturing enterprises and Asia’s sustainable economic development. International Journal of Production Economics, 233, Article 107971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2020.107971
Perera, R., Nawurunnage, K., Chathuranga, S., Wickramarachchi, R., & Withanaarachchi, A. (2023). Role of blockchain technology in ERP systems for a transparent supply chain: A systematic review of literature. In 2023 3rd International Conference on Advanced Research in Computing (ICARC). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICARC57651.2023.10145618
Ranjan, S., Jha, V. K., & Pal, P. (2016). Literature review on ERP implementation challenges. International Journal of Business Information Systems, 21(3), 388–402. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBIS.2016.074766
Roy, R., Ajith, A., & Vaishnavi, K. (2024). A systematic review on ERP and supply chain management. In Applications of new technology in operations and supply chain management (pp. 38–57). https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-1578-1.ch003
Tuli, F. A., & Kaluvakuri, S. (2022). Implementation of ERP systems in organizational settings: Enhancing operational efficiency and productivity. Asian Business Review, 12(3), 89–96. https://doi.org/10.18034/abr.v12i3.676
Tulli, S. K. C. (2024). Leveraging Oracle NetSuite to enhance supply chain optimization in manufacturing. International Journal of Acta Informatica, 3(1), 59–75. https://www.yuktabpublisher.com/index.php/IJAI/article/view/132
Vukman, K., Klarić, K., Greger, K., & Perić, I. (2024). Driving efficiency and competitiveness: Trends and innovations in ERP systems for the wood industry. Forests, 15(2), Article 230. https://doi.org/10.3390/f15020230
Wilson, J. M. (2016). The origin of material requirements planning in Frederick W. Taylor’s planning office. International Journal of Production Research, 54(5), 1535–1553. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2015.1092616
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 The Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
