Designing a Standardized Workflow for Improved Contract Administration in Non-Profit Organizations

This study explored a process that can help nonprofit organizations design and implement a new contract management system with a standardized workflow associated with administering their government contracts. The problem directly resulted in a decrease in efficiency and profitability for the organization. A mixed method study was conducted based on the business process reengineering (BPR) model. Previous studies have indicated that additional knowledge and development is required in the area of BPR implementation. Critical sources of evidence in the study included the partner organization’s stakeholders, its staff, including those of its subsidiaries, and peer-reviewed literature. Qualitative interviews with 10 participants revealed three themes that addressed the overarching research question; perspectives of current processes, impact of new system design, and view of a standardized workflow. Two surveys were conducted to gather quantitative data for this study. For the first survey, a total of 30 responses were gathered. Participants were dissatisfied with the partner organization’s current contract management process and agreed that standardizing the process will have positive results. The second survey revealed the participants were satisfied with the newly developed workflow after using it for a trial period. These findings offer the partner organization practical tools for positive social change through administering its government contracts that can be standardized for use by similar organizations in a manner analogous to standardized approaches to management. An increase in the volume of government awarded contracts directly translates into an increase in profits that can be used to fund programs strengthening the Native Hawaiian community

Análise envoltória de dados (DEA) como ferramenta para melhoria de processos baseado na eficiência dos agentes : estudo de caso em uma instituição financeira

Estudos a respeito de eficiência e aumento da produtividade vêm a cada ano ganhando destaque, tanto em publicações acadêmicas como no âmbito profissional. Neste mesmo sentido, o mapeamento, melhoria e avaliação de processos são fundamentais para o crescimento das empresas. Apesar da ampla bibliografia nestas duas áreas (avaliação de eficiência e mapeamento de processos), são escassos os estudos na interseção destes dois nichos de conhecimento. Assim, o presente estudo propõe um framework teórico com a aplicação da Análise de Envoltória de Dados (DEA) para a avaliação da eficiência dos agentes do processo e seu impacto nas demais etapas do processo. O framework teórico, sugere as seguintes etapas: i) mapeamento de processos; ii) avaliação de eficiência; iii) aplicação dos resultados DEA para melhoria de processos; iv) monitoramento da aplicação dos resultados; v) calibragem da aplicação dos resultados e atualização do modelo DEA. O framework proposto foi aplicado em um estudo de caso em uma instituição financeira, cujo processo de análise foi a concessão de crédito pessoal, e os agentes do processo foram as unidades de atendimento ao público. Como resultado, identificou-se o robusto conjunto de informações oriundas do modelo DEA para análise de eficiência dos agentes, com foco na análise do processo. Esta abordagem, além de identificar as unidades eficientes aponta os atributos que podem ser melhorados nas unidades ineficientes e propõe algumas melhorias no processo como um todo. O framework utilizado atendeu as expectativas iniciais no estudo de caso, e pode ser usado como ponto de partida para outros estudos de avaliação de eficiência em processos.Studies on efficiency and productivity increases are gaining prominence lately, both in academic and professional publications. In this same sense, the process mapping, improvement and evaluation are fundamental for the companies development. Despite the wide bibliography in these two areas (efficiency evaluation and processes mapping), studies are scarce in the intersection of these two niches of knowledge. In this sense, the present study proposes the application of an efficiency evaluation technique (DEA - Data Envelopment Analysis), with the bias for the efficiency evaluation of the agents of the process and impact on the next stages of the process. A theoretical framework was proposed with the following steps: i) process mapping; ii) efficiency evaluation; iii) Application of the DEA results for process improvement; (iv) monitoring the implementation of results; v) Calibrate the application of the results and updating the DEA model. The proposed framework was applied in a case study at a financial institution, whose process of analysis was the granting of personal credit, and the process agents were the public service units. As a result, we identified the powerful information set from the DEA model for agent efficiency analysis, which identifies the efficient units that can be improved in inefficient units. The framework used met the initial expectations in the case study, and can be used as a starting point for other process efficiency evaluation studies

Enterprise resource planning systems implementation and upgrade (a Kenyan study)

In recent years there has been an increase in using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in large companies and government corporations mainly in developed countries. While there is wide adoption of ERP systems in Western economies, developing countries lag far behind. However, due to recent economic growth, developing countries such as Kenya are increasingly becoming major targets of ERP vendors. There is an urgent need for under- standing ERP implementation issues in developing countries, as ERP systems are still in their early stages in these countries. They face additional challenges related to economic, cultural and basic infrastructure issues. This research investigates the organisational and national context within which ERP is adopted and used in Kenya, and how the context and ERP influence each other. In general, this research is based on the need to study organisations in their societal contexts and information systems in their organisational settings. The research contributes to the controversial debate on the conflict between standardisation imposed by ERP systems and localisation of business practices. This study provides some key insights into the implementation and use of ERP systems in the public and the private sectors in Kenya. Case study findings suggest that the company sector plays an important role in ERP implementations in several key dimensions. ERP systems with in-built business practices express the tendency toward standardisation. In addition, the study investigates the challenges faced by organisations implementing ERP systems in Kenya and factors influencing ERP upgrade decisions. Findings of this research suggest that ERP implementation and upgrade is influenced by, but not necessarily bound by, existing contextual factors - national and organisational. Two models, namely, the Empirical ERP Implementation Model (EEIM) and the Upgrade Decision Model (UDM), are developed to represent ERP implementation and upgrade practices. The EEIM helps to identify why there will be particularly high variance in potential outcomes and further validates which organisational contexts and ERP implementation configurations create options during ERP implementation and usage. The UDM makes a novel contribution by showing how different forces interact to bring an aggregate of influences to a threshold level where an ERP system upgrade becomes necessary. The findings of this study also aid the management of organisations that are implementing ERP systems to gain a better understanding of the likely challenges they may face and to enable them to put in place appropriate measures to mitigate the risk of implementation failures. This study also proposes an IT strategy framework which can be used by organisations planning to implement ERP to align their business and IT strategy. Finally, the study provides practical guidelines to practitioners on ERP implementation and upgrade based on the experience of the case study organisations and the ERP consultants interviewed

A New Framework for Enterprise Resource Planning Systems Implementation for SMEs in the Industrial Manufacturing Sector in Iran

This thesis proposes an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation model for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the discrete manufacturing industry sector in Iran. Three discrete manufacturing SMEs, in two different geographical locations in Iran (Isfahan and Tehran), were used as the case studies for primary qualitative research and data analysis. The proposed model identifies ERP implementation phases, three main dimensions of change and a range of related change elements that influence ERP project success in the discrete manufacturing sector in Iran. The three main dimensions of change are technology deployment, people competencies, and process improvement; and these are evident in this study’s three implementation phases: pre-implementation, implementation, and post-implementation. Being exploratory in nature and adopting an interpretivist epistemology, the research pursues a qualitative approach, consisting of a survey (with follow-up interviews), questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and documentary evidence for data collection. The case study approach allowed the researcher to gain an in depth understandings of the nature of ERP implementation in discrete manufacturing SMEs and the degree of success they have achieved. The first set of data was collected through a literature review and qualitative survey of 75 manufacturing SMEs in Iran in order to understand the extent of IS/ERP systems implementation in Iranian manufacturing SMEs. The findings from the literature were used to develop a provisional conceptual ERP implementation model. The second set of data was collected from three discrete manufacturing SMEs through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews conducted with various employees. The conceptual ERP implementation model was further improved based on findings drawn from the case study research. The final model was developed to represent ERP implementation phases, dimensions and elements of change in the context of SMEs in the discrete manufacturing sector in Iran. The model is a contribution to knowledge in this field, and affords IT practitioners and professionals a better understanding of the potential challenges they may face during such ERP projects. The model enables them to balance the three dimensions of change, providing a roadmap of change elements that need addressing as an ERP project progresses from phase to phase