ERP systems enhance operational efficiency and support strategic. They also significantly foster innovation through improved transparency, real-time data access, and process standardization. However, the rigid structures and high costs associated with ERP systems can also challenge flexibility and innovation.

This thesis aims to answer how ERP systems affect innovation in Swiss companies. The analysis is divided into five main areas: the perception of ERP systems as drivers of innovation, the promotion of innovation and resources, the influence on employees, ERP systems as obstacles to innovation, and the role of new IT technologies. The results show that ERP systems are primarily perceived as a basis for operational improvements but are rarely directly associated with developing new products or breakthrough innovations.

The study highlights that ERP systems are significant in process optimization, automation, and data-driven decision-making. At the same time, high implementation and maintenance costs, system complexity, and dependency on providers represent significant challenges. Despite the potential of new technologies such as AI, IoT, and blockchain, the results show that their integration into ERP systems in Swiss companies is still limited. On the other hand, cloud computing is widely used and considered a key technology to support innovation projects.