The Determinants of Student Effort at Learning ERP: A Cultural Perspective

This paper develops a research model based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model (UTAUT) and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions to explore factors that influence student effort at learning Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) using LISREL was utilized to validate the proposed research model using a convenience sample of students at two universities in the USA. The results showed that while subjective norm and career relevance were positively associated with performance expectancy (PE), course structure and self-efficacy were positively associated with effort expectancy (EE). Performance expectancy and effort expectancy were positively associated with student attitude toward ERP. Student attitude toward ERP was positively associated with student effort at learning ERP. The results also revealed that power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity moderate the relationships between EE and PE on one side and attitude on the other side, between EE and PE, and between attitude and effort at learning ERP, respectively. Implications for educators and researchers are reported

Lean Management of IT Organizations: A Literature Review

Lean Management has been successfully applied by companies around the world, mainly in production/manufacturing functions. Recently, the interest to investigate a wider application of Lean Management especially in service functions increased. However, it is not clear how Lean Management can be applied to IT organizations. Therefore, this study aims to provide an overview on common characteristics and future research directions. A literature review on existing scholarly research from January 2004 to June 2014 is conducted. Using a database-driven search approach, a total of 1,206 re-search contributions are found of which 49 were identified as relevant. Results indicate a low theory grounding of mostly formulative and interpretative research items. This implies that research on Lean Management of IT organizations is still at its nascent state. Content-wise, five research themes emerge. The majority of research investigates IT organizations in a role to support Lean Management in production/manufacturing functions (determining “what to work on”), therefore more research on how Lean Management can be applied to IT organizations themselves (determining “how to work”) could be beneficial. Future research could also try to build on Change Management theories, as the implementation of Lean Management is of transformational character

A Systematic Literature Review

The present work offers a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to analyze how information systems could improve decision making in SMEs with a focus on objectives and methods used, types of information systems, benefits and the main impacts associated with the use of IS to support decisions in SMEs. A conceptual framework containing this issues is developed. The literature review is based on articles from journals and conference articles from 2008 to 2018, using B-on, Science Direct and Web of Science databases. Thus, this systematic literature review represents an important contribution to the organizations and researchers, making it possible to clarify approaches and components of IS use to improve decision making in SMEs.A informação deve ser vista como um dos recursos mais valiosos nas organizações, tendo em vista a internalização e a globalização dos mercados. Assim, é necessário que a informação esteja disponível de forma integrada e atualizada, proporcionando uma visão de alto nível que promova a eficácia no processo de tomada de decisão e, conseqüentemente, no desempenho das PMEs. Para analisar como os Sistemas de Informação (SI) podem melhorar a tomada de decisões nas PME foi realizada uma Revisão Sistemática da Literatura, cujo objetivo foi o de analisar os principais objetivos de pesquisa e métodos aplicados nos trabalhos que focam esta temática, os tipos de sistemas de informação disponiveis, os benefícios e os principais impactos associados quanto a utilização de SI para apoiar o processo de decisão nas PMEs. Portanto, foram selecionados 14 artigos com base na metodologia de Denyer & Tranfield (2009); Kitchenham & Charters (2007); Rousseau et al. (2008) e Tranfield et al. (2003), publicados entre 2008 e 2018, nas bases de dados B-on, Science Direct e Web of Science. Quanto aos tipos de SI, não há consenso em relação à classificação/tipologia, mesmo porque devido às inovações tecnológicas emergentes estão em constante atualizações. Os tipos de SI utilizados nas PME variam de acordo com uma série de fatores como o tipo de negócio da empresa, a cultura, a indústria, os recursos disponíveis, entre outros aspectos. Assim, quanto aos objetivos de pesquisa, a maioria dos trabalhos que fazem parte da amostra possuem como objetivo principal validação e depois o desenvolvimento, adaptapção ou criação de um tipo de SI ou elaboração de framework utilizado no processo de tomada de decisões. Esses resultados demonstram que existe uma tendência em estudar um tipo específico de SI em relação a outro. Já em relação aos tipos de SI utilizados para apoiar o processo de tomada de decisão nas PME, o Business Intelligence System (BIS) e o Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) são os tipos mais utilizados, embora em alguns estudos foram utilizados dois tipos simultaneamente, como ERP e BIS ou ERP e Product- Service Systems (PSS). Há evidências nos artigos pesquisados, que o impacto no desempenho organizacional ocorre principalmente a nível estratégico, na organização como um todo, em outros setores de cadeia financeira ou produtiva e na Supply Chain. Finalmente, no que diz respeito às medidas de desempenho apoiadas pelo uso de SI nas PME, apenas 6 estudos mencionaram algum indicador, como a eficácia financeira, operacional, controlo de receitas e despesas, produtividade e satisfação do usuário. Assim, esta revisão sistemática representa um importante contributo para as organizações e pesquisadores, possibilitando esclarecer abordagens e componentes do uso de sistemas de informação para melhorar a tomada de decisões nas PME

Lean implementation in small and medium enterprises: Literature review

There have been many literature reviews carried out on Lean implementation (LI) in larger organisations with specific focus on the automobile industry. Lean implementation among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) has not been so extensively researched. This paper attempts to bridge this gap by reviewing the literature that discussed Lean implementation in SMEs with a perspective of identifying the main challenges faced. We applied the Systematic Review Methodology proposed by Tranfield et al. (2003). This methodology allows for more comprehensive and profounder analysis along three stages: planning, conducting, and reporting. For this study, 403 papers were utilized, with their titles, abstracts and keywords separately studied at early stages of the review. These were collated from specific databases that included: ABI/INFORM Global, Taylor & Francis, Emerald, Sage, Inderscince, BSCO Business Source Premier, ScienceDirect and Scopus. The collected information was classified into four categories for more synthesis. The aim of this study is to establish the current position of global understanding of Lean implementation in SME's, including examining the main categories of Lean implementation in the context of SMEs. Next, an inclusive discussion of associated Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for Lean implementation within SME's is established that can be used as guide for SME's owners and managers. Suggestions for future research orientations are thus provided

Project implementation profile influencing information technology project success. A moderating effect of leadership styles and organizational culture types in Pakistan

Risks and uncertainty which prevails everywhere, is an obvious aspect of all projects of information technology in Pakistan. Project delay is extra severe where cost overruns usually exceeded hundred percent of the predicted cost of the project in information technology projects in Pakistan. There are only 12% project-based IT companies in Pakistan. Failure rate is high and 60% professionals are unaware about the importance of project mature in Pakistan. The aim of the study is to increase awareness in temporary organizations and finding way to ensure project success through model development. There is need for professionals to track a consistent and rational approach to achieve certain organizational outcomes. The outcome of a project can be related to the influence of cultural, leadership, project management and critical success factors. To overcome these issues, this study applied IO critical success factors tool known as project implementation profile to facilitate professionals for project management process behavioural issues and strategic issues during project development. It can be applied to a variety of industries and organizations and is being utilized to ensure criteria. Through quantitative methodology technique, an explorative study has been adopted with close-ended questionnaires of project implementation profile and categorical moderators consisting of leadership styles and project culture types. Two hundred and twenty-three respondents were assumed usable from a population of one thousand seven hundred and twenty. Respondents were project manager, manager on project team and team members. PLS-SEM technique was employed for analysis and Top Management Support was found to be more significant and positive. Furthermore, the study developed a model based on the ranking of empirical results for the ten parameters, its criteria and its categories. Future research to be considered include accountability as a moderator with project implementation profile

Supply chain collaboration: the relationship between maturity level and performance

Supply chain collaboration (SCC) and its relationship with performance have received an increased attention from both researchers and industries over the past decades. SCC has affirmed to be a competitive tool to improve the business performance for an organization itself and entire supply chain. Therefore, firms have strived to achieve greater levels for their SCC. Although the goals and benefits of SCC are clearly claimed, collaboration has the most unsatisfactory track record of all supply chain management strategies with the success rate falling short of the expectations of participants. One of the reasons for these failures is the broad, incomplete, and unclear instructions for the implementation and further improvements in the existing body of knowledge. As a consequence, this leads to the poor understanding of achieving effective SCC. In addition, the literature review acknowledges the inadequacy of in-depth qualitative-based research on the relationship between SCC and performance. Particularly, how different SCC maturity levels lead to different performance outcomes is less understood. Furthermore, there is a shortage of the industry-based research on SCC and performance. Such studies are considered to be beneficial to managers to minimize the chance of implementation failure and to make strategic decisions for the organization. Given these limitations, this study develops a maturity model for SCC (MM-SCC) which is considered as instructions of implementation as well as the improvement for SCC maturity in the industry. MM-SCC serves as a benchmark for SCC practices with two functions, a diagnostic tool, and an improvement roadmap. This model uses Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) as the reference framework. To the author's knowledge, it is first time that CMMI is integrated into MM-SCC and is an original contribution to address the gap on the existing body of knowledge on SCC. Subsequently, this model is used to explore in-depth relationship between SCC and performance. Particularly, how different maturity levels lead to different performance outcomes is investigated in detail. The model is validated by experts before the application in the real environment. In this study, two textile and apparel industries in Vietnam are chosen as the industry representatives. Case study method with embedded, multiple-case design is used to understand the relationship of SCC with performance. Based on MM-SCC model, SCC practices and maturity levels are evaluated and measured at each case through managers¿ evaluation and the relevant evidence provided by the managers. The effects on the performance are quantitatively and qualitatively measured with actual data of key performance indicators (KPIs) and subjective evaluation of managers. The study provides evidence-based findings on the relationship between SCC and performance outcomes. Finally, since the model serves as an improvement roadmap based on the current practices, improvement plans are suggested for the considered case studies with an ERP-based Lean system. For the longitudinal improvement purpose, a system dynamics (SD) simulation model is developed and applied to foresee how the performance changes under different future scenarios when the systems reach a higher collaboration maturity level. The findings support the positive link between SCC maturity levels and performance.  It is found that the role of internal collaboration with information integration and operations management in building the SCC maturity level and system & iquest's effectiveness is critical. It also plays the moderator role in the relationship between external collaboration and performance. The simulation results quantitatively demonstrate how performance increases when the organization reaches a higher level of SCC. Furthermore, it also highlights the important role of Lean manufacturing itself to performance and the mediator role of Lean production in the relationship between ERP and performance. This study provides an original contribution to knowledge in the field of SCC and performance. This is a first study of its kind to build the maturity model for SCC and examine how well the mechanisms and maturity levels of SCC correspond with the performance, particularly in a specific industry. The results show the applicability and usefulness of MM-SCC model. Case study with real data along with SD provides valuable practices and knowledge to make strategic decisions for managers in the industry. In future, there is further need to enhance the model which considers the capability levels for each process area. In addition, the MM-SSC model can be tested to other industries to generalize the findings on the area of SCC and performance

Managing enterprise resource planning and multi-organisational enterprise governance:a new contingency framework for the enterprisation of operations

This research has been undertaken to determine how successful multi-organisational enterprise strategy is reliant on the correct type of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) information systems being used. However there appears to be a dearth of research as regards strategic alignment between ERP systems development and multi-organisational enterprise governance as guidelines and frameworks to assist practitioners in making decision for multi-organisational collaboration supported by different types of ERP systems are still missing from theoretical and empirical perspectives. This calls for this research which investigates ERP systems development and emerging practices in the management of multi-organisational enterprises (i.e. parts of companies working with parts of other companies to deliver complex product-service systems) and identify how different ERP systems fit into different multi-organisational enterprise structures, in order to achieve sustainable competitive success. An empirical inductive study was conducted using the Grounded Theory-based methodological approach based on successful manufacturing and service companies in the UK and China. This involved an initial pre-study literature review, data collection via 48 semi-structured interviews with 8 companies delivering complex products and services across organisational boundaries whilst adopting ERP systems to support their collaborative business strategies – 4 cases cover printing, semiconductor manufacturing, and parcel distribution industries in the UK and 4 cases cover crane manufacturing, concrete production, and banking industries in China in order to form a set of 29 tentative propositions that have been validated via a questionnaire receiving 116 responses from 16 companies. The research has resulted in the consolidation of the validated propositions into a novel concept referred to as the ‘Dynamic Enterprise Reference Grid for ERP’ (DERG-ERP) which draws from multiple theoretical perspectives. The core of the DERG-ERP concept is a contingency management framework which indicates that different multi-organisational enterprise paradigms and the supporting ERP information systems are not the result of different strategies, but are best considered part of a strategic continuum with the same overall business purpose of multi-organisational cooperation. At different times and circumstances in a partnership lifecycle firms may prefer particular multi-organisational enterprise structures and the use of different types of ERP systems to satisfy business requirements. Thus the DERG-ERP concept helps decision makers in selecting, managing and co-developing the most appropriate multi-organistional enterprise strategy and its corresponding ERP systems by drawing on core competence, expected competitiveness, and information systems strategic capabilities as the main contingency factors. Specifically, this research suggests that traditional ERP(I) systems are associated with Vertically Integrated Enterprise (VIE); whilst ERPIIsystems can be correlated to Extended Enterprise (EE) requirements and ERPIII systems can best support the operations of Virtual Enterprise (VE). The contribution of this thesis is threefold. Firstly, this work contributes to a gap in the extant literature about the best fit between ERP system types and multi-organisational enterprise structure types; and proposes a new contingency framework – the DERG-ERP, which can be used to explain how and why enterprise managers need to change and adapt their ERP information systems in response to changing business and operational requirements. Secondly, with respect to a priori theoretical models, the new DERG-ERP has furthered multi-organisational enterprise management thinking by incorporating information system strategy, rather than purely focusing on strategy, structural, and operational aspects of enterprise design and management. Simultaneously, the DERG-ERP makes theoretical contributions to the current IS Strategy Formulation Model which does not explicitly address multi-organisational enterprise governance. Thirdly, this research clarifies and emphasises the new concept and ideas of future ERP systems (referred to as ERPIII) that are inadequately covered in the extant literature. The novel DERG-ERP concept and its elements have also been applied to 8 empirical cases to serve as a practical 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 structures, and ERP systems use; referred to in this thesis as the “enterprisation of operations”

The moderating effect of environmental regulation and policy on the relationship between total quality management (TQM) and organizational performance in the Malaysian food and beverage companies

There have been inconsistent findings in the literature concerning the relationships between TQM and organizational performance. Hence this research has prompted further investigation on the effect of other variables that may better explain the nature of these links. In the related literatures, many theories have suggested that the compatibility between strategies, resources, and capabilities are the keys for organizational success. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the moderating effects of environmental regulation and policy (ERP) on the relationship between total quality management (TQM) and organizational performance (OP). Quality assurance (QA) and continuous process improvement (CPI) as TQM elements considered in this study were moderated with their respective relationships with organizational performance. Therefore, to achieve this purpose, this study has integrated different theories such as the contingency and the institutional theories in order to provide the effect of QA and CPI on successful strategy implementation. Questionnaires were distributed to 250 Malaysian food and beverages companies. 71 questionnaires were returned and used in the analysis using the PLS-SEM. Studies revealed that TQM can be divided into the management or soft aspects (management concepts and principles) of TQM and the technical or hard aspects (management tools and techniques) of TQM . This study is exclusively based on the soft elements of TQM. The results of this study revealed that QA and CPI have always been significant predictors of organizational performance by following the regulations and policy related to environment. More importantly, the results have also confirmed the moderating effect of environmental regulation and policy on the relationships between TQM and organizational performance. This study also supported the premises of the contingency theory and the institutional theory by reaffirming the importance of the supportive ERP for any successful strategy implementation in enhancing organizational performance through the implementation of innovative practices. However, this result cannot be generalized as data were collected through a cross-sectional approach. Future research can extend it to longitudinal researc

ERP implementation methodologies and frameworks: a literature review

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation is a complex and vibrant process, one that involves a combination of technological and organizational interactions. Often an ERP implementation project is the single largest IT project that an organization has ever launched and requires a mutual fit of system and organization. Also the concept of an ERP implementation supporting business processes across many different departments is not a generic, rigid and uniform concept and depends on variety of factors. As a result, the issues addressing the ERP implementation process have been one of the major concerns in industry. Therefore ERP implementation receives attention from practitioners and scholars and both, business as well as academic literature is abundant and not always very conclusive or coherent. However, research on ERP systems so far has been mainly focused on diffusion, use and impact issues. Less attention has been given to the methods used during the configuration and the implementation of ERP systems, even though they are commonly used in practice, they still remain largely unexplored and undocumented in Information Systems research. So, the academic relevance of this research is the contribution to the existing body of scientific knowledge. An annotated brief literature review is done in order to evaluate the current state of the existing academic literature. The purpose is to present a systematic overview of relevant ERP implementation methodologies and frameworks as a desire for achieving a better taxonomy of ERP implementation methodologies. This paper is useful to researchers who are interested in ERP implementation methodologies and frameworks. Results will serve as an input for a classification of the existing ERP implementation methodologies and frameworks. Also, this paper aims also at the professional ERP community involved in the process of ERP implementation by promoting a better understanding of ERP implementation methodologies and frameworks, its variety and history