SaaS adoption in Swedish manufacturing markets

The purpose of this research is to understand factors that affect to cloud computing adoption and deployment in Swedish manufacturing markets. Cloud computing is a method to provide IT services through the Internet. The research is done by studying largest manufacturing companies in Sweden that have over 300 m. € revenue. A semi-structured survey was sent to 186 top managers in SCM related positions by web survey and telephone calls. The questions are focusing on success factors in cloud computing adoption and deployment. This thesis used mixed research design. The core of this mixed research is quantitative research. Mean, standard deviation and confidence intervals were calculated. The core was supplemented with qualitative analysis. Themes that arose from open questions were categorized and summed and mixed with quantitative research. Total 6 valid responses were gathered. Even as the results are not generalizable due small sample size, indications can be made. For the core part, statistically the most significant findings were trust between the cloud provider and client organization and client communicating cloud benefits to employees have both positive affect on cloud deployment. Qualitative analysis revealed that sharing and communication, flexibility, reduced costs, convenience, improved performance, references, client need comprehension and big data usages were themes that benefit cloud computing adoption and deployment. The findings are useful for the managers who are working in SaaS related companies and are aiming to offer SaaS services to the manufacturing industry.fi=Opinnäytetyö kokotekstinä PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=Lärdomsprov tillgängligt som fulltext i PDF-format

Exploring the Use and Benefits of Web 2.0 for Supply Chain Management

In today’s dynamic environment, managing supply chain processes has been challenging. Various information and communication technologies (ICT) have been adopted for supply chain management (SCM) in the last few decades. The adoption of technologies for SCM, nevertheless, has been difficult and complex because different parties are involved. Recently, with the emergence and popularity of web 2.0 as social technology, innovative companies have started to explore and adopt web 2.0 as an alternative method for supply chain integration. Web 2.0 has many features that are useful for dynamic communication across the globe, which facilitates integration among supply chain parties. However, currently, web 2.0 has not been widely used to support SCM practices. Building upon the existing studies, in this paper, we assess how web 2.0 can be used for supporting SCM practices and highlight the values offered. A number of implications for managing supply chain with web 2.0 are also discussed

Information Sharing in Improving Supply Chain Performance

This thesis studies the benefits of sharing information in supply chains. The information used is transaction and forecast data, which are collected by the sharing party’s ERP systems. The research method used was literature review and the results of the thesis, building upon several academic articles and studies, suggest that information improves supply chain performance and decreases its costs. The motivation for information sharing and supply chain management (SCM) come from the ever-complicating and global business environment. Focus on core competencies has led to lengthy sup-ply chains and dependency on multiple suppliers. Subcontractors account for most of a product’s value nowadays, increasing the need for good supplier relations. Information sharing is a cooperation method, which also helps reduce supply chain costs too. Based on an empirical study, using information sharing alone can provide supply chain costs savings of 3,3 to 9,7 per cent. The thesis also presents value adding applications of information sharing, which can help reduce costs and improve performance even more. These applications include vendor managed inventory (VMI) and continuous replenishment program (CRP). In return for the benefits, deeper cooperation and absolute trust is required from the parties

Designing and managing ERP systems for virtual enterprise strategy:a conceptual framework for innovative strategic thinking

The business environment today is transforming towards a collaborative context compounded by multi-organizational cooperation and related information system infrastructures. This chapter aims to examine Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems development and emerging practices in the management of multi-organizational enterprises and identify the circumstances under which the so-called ‘ERPIII' systems fit into the Virtual Enterprise paradigm; and vice versa. An empirical inductive study was conducted using case studies from successful companies in the UK and China. Data were collected through 48 semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the Grounded-Theory based Methodology (GTM) to derive a set of 29 tentative propositions which were then validated via a questionnaire survey to further propose a novel conceptual framework referred to as the ‘Dynamic Enterprise Reference Grid for ERP (DERG-ERP)'; which can be used for innovative decision-making about how ERP information systems and multi-organizational enterprises – particularly the Virtual Enterprise may be co-developed

The role of supplier relationship platforms in supply chain management- the case of Ecratum

Dissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Information Systems and Technologies ManagementThe term supply chain can be defined as a process in which suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers are working together during the whole process of manufacturing the product and delivering it to the end-user. More specifically, all parties are involved in various phases from getting the raw material, transforming this material into a product that will satisfy users' needs and make sure this product reaches the end customer (La Londe & Masters, 1994). However, even though supply chains are created with the main aim to reduce costs, find the right partners to deliver the products and stay competitive on the market, proper management is crucial for the successful operation. Supply chain management (hereinafter: SCM), is all about the right optimization and strategic planning to identify, acquire, gain, allocate and manage all the needed resources that are involved in the workflow of achieving strategic objectives (Flynn, Harding, Lallatin, Pohlig & Sturzl, 2006)

A cloud-based supply chain management system: effects on supply chain responsiveness

Purpose: Despite the ongoing calls for the incorporation of the cloud utility model, the effect of the cloud on elements of supply chain performance is still an evolving area of research. In this paper, we develop the architecture of a cloud-based supply chain management (C-SCM) ecosystem and explore how it enhances supply chain responsiveness. Design/methodology/approach: First, we discuss the potential benefits that cloud computing can yield compared to existing mature SCM information systems and solutions through a comprehensive literature review. We conceptualize SCR in terms of the level of visibility in the supply chain, supply chain flexibility, and rapid detection and reaction to changes and then we build the detailed architecture of a cloud based SCM system. The proposed ecosystem introduces a view of SCM and the associated practices when transferred to cloud environments. The potential to enhance SCR through the cloud is explored with scenarios on a case of supply chain operations in fashion retail industry. Findings: Our findings show that the proposed system can enhance all three dimensions of SCR. Implications for supply chain practice and how companies can migrate to a cloud supply chain are drawn. Originality/Value: Given that the development, creation, and delivery of goods and services is increasingly becoming a joint effort of several parties in a supply chain, we contribute to existing literature, by introducing a comprehensive cloud-based SCM system and show how companies can enhance their supply chain responsiveness

Cloud enterprise resource planning development model based on software factory approach

Literature reviews revealed that Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (Cloud ERP) is significantly growing, yet from software developers’ perspective, it has succumbed to high management complexity, high workload, inconsistency software quality, and knowledge retention problems. Previous researches lack a solution that holistically addresses all the research problem components. Software factory approach was chosen to be adapted along with relevant theories to develop a model referred to as Cloud ERP Factory Model (CEF Model), which intends to pave the way in solving the above-mentioned problems. There are three specific objectives, those are (i) to develop the model by identifying the components with its elements and compile them into the CEF Model, (ii) to verify the model’s deployment technical feasibility, and (iii) to validate the model field usability in a real Cloud ERP production case studies. The research employed Design Science methodology, with a mixed method evaluation approach. The developed CEF Model consists of five components; those are Product Lines, Platform, Workflow, Product Control, and Knowledge Management, which can be used to setup a CEF environment that simulates a process-oriented software production environment with capacity and resource planning features. The model was validated through expert reviews and the finalized model was verified to be technically feasible by a successful deployment into a selected commercial Cloud ERP production facility. Three Cloud ERP commercial deployment case studies were conducted using the prototype environment. Using the survey instruments developed, the results yielded a Likert score mean of 6.3 out of 7 thus reaffirming that the model is usable and the research has met its objective in addressing the problem components. The models along with its deployment verification processes are the main research contributions. Both items can also be used by software industry practitioners and academician as references in developing a robust Cloud ERP production facility

Invited Article: The Future of CRM is UX

Background: This paper connects several sides of the web and mobile usages in business. The idea is to utilize Customer Relations Management (CRM) as the vehicle to establish connection from Web one and Web two into Web three. Objectives: This paper has the main purpose combine efforts in developing business strategies into general path of future Web development. Methods/Approach: Using the extensive literature, business cases and software trends in the area, the paper is focused on predicting the future in the area of the business trends in Information Technology (IT). Results: After discussion of the development using selected milestones: CRM is supported by the Social Networks (SN) and is enabled by Cloud Computing (CC), we were able to achieve the predictions. Conclusions: The final conclusion is in the convergence of the business efforts and SN methods on the new paradigm called the User eXperience (UX)

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

Managing enterprises and ERP systems:a contingency model for the enterprization of operations

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems development and emerging practices in the management of enterprises (i.e. parts of companies working with parts of other companies to deliver a complex product and/or service) and identify any apparent correlations. Suitable a priori contingency frameworks are then used and extended to explain apparent correlations. Discussion is given to provide guidance for researchers and practitioners to deliver better strategic, structural and operational competitive advantage through this approach; coined here as the "enterprization of operations". Design/methodology/approach: Theoretical induction uses a new empirical longitudinal case study from Zoomlion (a Chinese manufacturing company) built using an adapted form of template analysis to produce a new contingency framework. Findings: Three main types of enterprises and the three main types of ERP systems are defined and correlations between them are explained. Two relevant a priori frameworks are used to induct a new contingency model to support the enterprization of operations; known as the dynamic enterprise reference grid for ERP (DERG-ERP). Research limitations/implications: The findings are based on one longitudinal case study. Further case studies are currently being conducted in the UK and China. Practical implications: The new contingency model, the DERG-ERP, serves as a guide for ERP vendors, information systems management and operations managers hoping to grow and sustain their competitive advantage with respect to effective enterprise strategy, enterprise structure and ERP systems. Originality/value: This research explains how ERP systems and the effective management of enterprises should develop in order to sustain competitive advantage with respect to enterprise strategy, enterprise structure and ERP systems use