Increasing the value of research: a comparison of the literature on critical success factors for projects, IT projects and enterprise resource planning projects

Since the beginning of modern project management in the 1960s, academic researchers have sought to identify a definitive list of Critical Success Factors (CSFs), the key things that project managers must get right in order to deliver a successful product. With the advent of Information Technology (IT) projects and, more recently, projects to deliver Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, attention has turned to identifying definitive lists of CSFs for these more specific project types. The purpose of this paper is to take stock of this research effort by examining how thinking about each type of project has evolved over time, before producing a consolidated list of CSFs for each as a basis for comparison. This process reveals a high degree of similarity, leading to the conclusion that the goal of identifying a generic list of CSFs for project management has been achieved. Therefore, rather than continuing to describe lists of CSFs, researchers could increase the value of their contribution by taking a step forward and focusing on why, despite this apparent knowledge of how to ensure their success, ERP projects continue to fai

A Layered Software Architecture for the Management of a Manufacturing Company

In this paper we describe a layered software architecture in the management of a manufactur-ing company that intensively uses computer technology. Application tools, new and legacy, after the updating, operate in a context of an open web oriented architecture. The software architecture enables the integration and interoperability among all tools that support business processes. Manufacturing Executive System and Text Mining tools are excellent interfaces, the former both for internal production and management processes and the latter for external processes coming from the market. In this way, it is possible to implement, a computer integrated factory, flexible and agile, that immediately responds to customer requirements.ICT, Service Oriented Architecture, Web Services, Computer-Integrated Factory, Application Software

OPTIMISING BUSINESS PROCESSES THROUGH ERP POST-IMPLEMENTATION MODIFICATIONS: AN EXPLORATORY CASE STUDY

While ERP systems can improve the efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility of business processes, there exists a relationship between post-implementation modifications and the optimisation of business processes. This relationship has not been adequately researched. By drawing on the post-implementation experience of an Australian oil company, we report a series of modifications that were conducted on their ERP system, and empirically classify them via propositions according to our proposed theory-driven model: ERP PIM. The model and empirical evidence together provide a theoretical foundation for research into the impact of ERP post-implementation modifications and their influence on business process optimisation. This is considered important for achieving competitive advantage. The applicability of our model as a useful managerial tool for analysing various modifications and understanding their impact on business process optimisation is offered

Intelligent ERPS: a guide to incorporate artificial intelligence into enterprise resource planning systems

Dissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Knowledge Management and Business IntelligenceIntelligent ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are two emerging subjects in the academic and organizational spaces. The simple fact of using intelligent tools into ERPs or around it is something that happens a long time. However, in this dissertation, we analyze the new concept of Intelligent Enterprises, most specifically Intelligent ERPs. This new idea aims to be a kind of approach capable of joining different concepts like RPA (Robotic Process Automation), Machine Learning, UX (User Experience), Advanced Analytics, and Dark Analytics in a single integrated information system. Through the use of Design Science Research (DSR) methodology, this research aims to identify the most acceptable definition of an Intelligent ERP, the relation of this concept with Intelligent Enterprises, and the contribution of Artificial Intelligence to the systems. Besides that, we will analyze the actual scenario and propose new kinds of approaches and architectures to add features that can enhance the systems and make it more useful and related to cognitive and intelligent systems.ERPs inteligentes (Planejamento de Recursos Empresariais) e Inteligência Artificial (IA) são dois assuntos emergentes nos espaços acadêmicos e empresariais. O simples fato de usar ferramentas inteligentes nos ERPs ou em torno destes é algo que acontece há muito tempo. No entanto, nesta dissertação, analisamos o novo conceito de Empresas Inteligentes, mais especificamente os ERPs Inteligentes. Essa nova idéia visa ser um tipo de abordagem capaz de unir diferentes conceitos como RPA (Automação de Processo Robótico), Aprendizado de Máquina, UX (Experiência do Usuário), Análises Avançadas e Análises Profundas em um único sistema de informação integrado. Com o uso da metodologia de Desenho de Pesquisa Científica (DSR), esta tese tem como objetivo identificar a definição mais aceitável de um ERP Inteligente, a relação desse conceito com as Empresas Inteligentes e a contribuição da Inteligência Artificial para os sistemas. Além disto, analisaremos o cenário atual e proporemos novos tipos de abordagens e arquiteturas para adicionar recursos que podem aprimorar os sistemas e torná-los mais úteis e relacionados a sistemas cognitivos e inteligentes

Towards the Implementation of an Intelligent ERP System: Guidelines for Building Intelligent ERP Systems

Dissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Information Systems and Technologies ManagementThe digital age has forced companies to change the way they operate their businesses and adapt quickly to the digital transformation driven by increased global competitiveness in recent years. To remain competitive, organizations must implement management solutions that allow them to efficiently control all business areas through an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Management systems have had to evolve to keep up with technological advancements by incorporating intelligent tools. As a result, ERP companies have created new systems known as intelligent ERP (i-ERP). Given the variety of improvement opportunities, it has become necessary to develop a series of guidelines for i-ERP manufacturing as well as for companies that want to implement intelligent solutions in their different business areas, in order to assist technical and non-technical people selecting the best existing option. A design science research (DSR) methodology was used to accomplish the study's goal. It was mandatory to start by defining what an i-ERP system is. Furthermore, their seven capabilities have been clarified, such as intelligent behaviour, learning management, advanced analytics, process automation, intelligent interfaces, dark analytics, and simplification of customization. These capabilities are based on technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, and cloud computing. The guidelines were based on these seven capabilities and were applied to the four major modules of an ERP, which are financial, purchasing, sales, and human resources. As a result, it was possible to create a table with recommendations in general by i-ERP capabilities, followed by guidelines focusing on the financial, purchasing, sales, and human resources areas, and an assessment tool that allowed creating measures to evaluate an ERP system, considering its level of intelligence based on the recommendations created. Finally, the evaluation system was used to rate the latest system developed by SAP SE, SAP S4/HANA, demonstrating its usefulness, followed by expert interviews to validate the recommendations for the four areas identified in terms of their use and acceptance. The relevant literature review and my personal work experience were used as the basis for this master's thesis. It is expected that this study will contribute to the scientific community's understanding of intelligent information systems as well as arouse curiosity in future studies.A era digital forçou as empresas a mudarem a forma como operam os seus negócios e a adaptarem-se rapidamente à transformação digital impulsionada pelo aumento da competitividade global nos últimos anos. Para se manterem competitivas, as organizações devem implementar soluções de gestão que lhes permitam controlar eficazmente todas as áreas de negócio através de um sistema de planeamento de recursos corporativos (ERP). Os sistemas de gestão tiveram de evoluir para acompanhar os avanços tecnológicos, incorporando ferramentas inteligentes. Como resultado, as empresas de sistemas ERP criaram produtos conhecidos como ERP inteligentes (i-ERP). Dada a variedade de oportunidades de melhoria, tornou-se necessário desenvolver uma série de orientações para fabricantes de i-ERP bem como para empresas que pretendam implementar soluções inteligentes nas diversas áreas de negócio, a fim de ajudar as pessoas técnicas e não técnicas na seleção da melhor opção existente. Uma metodologia de desenho de investigação científica (DSR) foi utilizada para atingir o objetivo do estudo. Foi obrigatório começar por definir o que é um sistema i-ERP bem como as suas sete capacidades identificadas, como ter um comportamento inteligente, gestão da aprendizagem, análise avançada, automatização de processos, interfaces inteligentes, análise escura, e simplificação da personalização, que têm como base tecnologias como inteligência artificial, aprendizagem de máquinas, grandes dados e armazenamento em nuvem. As orientações utilizaram como base estas sete capacidades e foram aplicadas aos quatro principais módulos de um ERP, que são o financeiro, compras, logística e recursos humanos. Como resultado foi possível criar uma tabela de recomendações gerais por capacidades de um i-ERP, seguida de recomendações com foco na área financeira, compras, logística e recursos humanos e por último uma ferramenta de avaliação que permitiu criar medidas para avaliar um sistema ERP, considerando o seu nível de inteligência com base nas recomendações criadas. Por último, o sistema de avaliação foi utilizado para classificar o mais recente sistema desenvolvido pela SAP SE, o SAP S4/HANA, demonstrando a sua utilidade, seguido de entrevistas a especialistas para validar as recomendações para as quatro áreas identificadas em termos de respetiva utilização e aceitação. Uma relevante revisão bibliográfica e a minha experiência profissional foram utilizadas como base para esta tese de mestrado. Espera-se que este estudo contribua para a compreensão dos sistemas de informação inteligentes pela comunidade científica, assim como despertar curiosidade em estudos futuros

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it : An Abductive and Contextual Exploration of Maintenance Deferral

Objective: To create academic insights into how organisations approach and manage the maintenance of vendor-supplied information systems software. Approach: Three iterations of the Peircean Abduction methodology lead to the identification, conceptualisation, and application of new knowledge in vendor-supplied Information Systems (IS) maintenance deferral by means of undertaking a qualitative multiple-case study. The research goals are achieved through the appropriation and application of theories from Peircean Abduction and Systemic Functional Linguistics. Research questions: The following abductive statement is created through the application of the Peircean Abduction methodology: The surprising observation, “some organisations, having invested in a vendor-supplied IS software solution, defer the implementation of vendor-supplied maintenance”, is made; However, if “the existence of deterrents to maintenance, requiring a trigger event before the implementation of maintenance” were true, then “maintenance deferral” would be a matter of course. Hence there is a reason to suspect that “the existence of both deterrents, and of triggers” is true. From this abductive statement, three research questions are deduced. The first research question investigates the existence, characteristics and influence of deterrents; the second question investigates the existence, characteristics and influence of triggers. As a consequence of this approach, the final question provides a general understanding of IS maintenance deferral. Methodology: Following the implementation of a systematic literature review methodology, six themes are identified: 1. an acknowledgement that problems exist when considering vendor-supplied software maintenance; 2. deterrents as a driver in behaviour; 3. the occurrence of tipping-points which require vendor-supplied maintenance to be undertaken; 4. the consequences of deferral; 5. the value of maintenance; and 6. the formalisation of a maintenance lifecycle. Taking the insights arising from the systematic literature review, a multiple-case study following the pragmatic framework is constructed from data collected interviewing twelve participants across a diverse set of ten organisations. An abductive approach to this research topic creates opportunities for a comprehensive, well-grounded exploratory contribution to a scarcely investigated research domain. Major findings: The translation of Peircean abduction to an interpretative context generates a rich and substantive contribution to theory and practice. The existence of both deterrents and triggers are strongly supported, leading to the conclusion that maintenance deferral is a matter of course. The development of a new abductive and Systemic Functional Linguistic model enhances the knowledge of maintenance deferral and allows refinement of historical IS maintenance models. Finally, the application of Systems Thinking situates insights from the application of their mode within their respective organisational environments

Semantic discovery and reuse of business process patterns

Patterns currently play an important role in modern information systems (IS) development and their use has mainly been restricted to the design and implementation phases of the development lifecycle. Given the increasing significance of business modelling in IS development, patterns have the potential of providing a viable solution for promoting reusability of recurrent generalized models in the very early stages of development. As a statement of research-in-progress this paper focuses on business process patterns and proposes an initial methodological framework for the discovery and reuse of business process patterns within the IS development lifecycle. The framework borrows ideas from the domain engineering literature and proposes the use of semantics to drive both the discovery of patterns as well as their reuse