Teaching Hands-On Enterprise Systems

This workshop shows participants how to integrate ERP systems into courses like Intro to MIS, Systems Administration, Supply Chain and Accounting Information Systems by providing hands-on examples of concepts. Examples such as sales order to pay, hire to retire, purchasing, and even a business game simulation are showcased, demonstrated and/or used in the workshop. Participants will get an overview of what ERP is and how it is used by businesses today along with online materials and demos to use in classes for the Fall term

Using a Simulation Game Approach to Teach Enterprise Resource Planning Concepts

This paper proposes an innovative learning-by-doing approach for teaching Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) concepts. Based on turn-based simulation games, students are put in a situation in which they have to run their business with a real-life ERP (mySAP ERP). Using standard reports and the business intelligence module of the ERP, students must analyze these transactional data to make business decisions and ensure the profitability of their operations. The pedagogical objectives of this game are threefold: i) to develop a hands-on understanding of the concepts underlying enterprise systems, ii) to experience the benefits of enterprise integration firsthand, and iii) to develop technical skills at using ERP software. This approach was successfully tested with both undergraduate and graduate business administration students majoring in information technologies in an AACSB school

A Comprehensive, Competency-Based Education Framework Using Medium-Sized ERP Systems

Graduates with industry-relevant ERP competencies are highly sought after. This requirement is due to a dominance of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and the positive affect which good quality ERP specialists have on the success rate of ERP system implementation projects. Universities are therefore increasingly pressurised to supply graduates with the appropriate competencies and as a result have adopted a hands-on approach to teaching ERP systems in Information Systems (IS) degree programmes. Whilst several frameworks for ERP education have been proposed, they are not comprehensive and do not link the competencies required for ERP specialists with an appropriate approach to ERP adoption in the IS curriculum. A comprehensive, competency-based education framework for ERP education is proposed and implemented at a South African university. Analysis of the results reveals that the students enjoyed the hands-on use of the ERP system and that there was a positive improvement in self-efficacy and the competencies of the students

SAP-Related Education - Status-Quo and Experience

Integrating Enterprise Systems solutions in the curriculum of not only universities but all types of institutes of higher learning has been a major challenge for nearly ten years. Enterprise Systems education is surprisingly well documented in a number of papers on Information Systems education. However, most publications in this area report on the individual experiences of an institution or an academic. This paper focuses on the most popular Enterprise System - SAP - and summarizes the outcomes of a global survey on the status quo of SAP-related education. Based on feedback of 305 lecturers and more than 700 students, it reports on the main factors of Enterprise Systems education including, critical success factors, alternative hosting models, and students’ perceptions. The results show among others an overall increasing interest in advanced SAP solutions and international collaboration, and a high satisfaction with the concept of using Application Hosting Centers

Goal Congruence, Trust and Organisational Culture: Strengthening Knowledge Links

Collaboration between organizations benefits from knowledge links -- a form of strategic alliance that gives organizations access to the skills and capabilities of their partner and opportunity to create new capabilities together. Using the example of alliances between two universities and SAP AG, the market leader in Enterprise Software, the paper suggests some management practices to improve goal congruence, trust and alignment between different organizational cultures. For example, face-to-face interactions are critical for building a close relationship over time. A theoretical framework of the five phases of partnership development and the three challenges faced by knowledge link partnerships is proposed, along with implications for management, universities and research

Financing Entrepreneurship Programs for Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care

This publication is one of a series of briefs exploring strategies for financing supports and services that help youth in foster care make successful transitions to adulthood. The Finance Project produced this brief with support from the Foster Care Work Group. The Foster Care Work Group (FCWG) is one of three work groups of the Youth Transition Funders Group (YTFG), a collaboration of foundation leaders dedicated to improving the lives of the nation's most vulnerable young people. Foundation leaders participating in the YTFG are committed to achieving a common vision -- ensuring that vulnerable youth are connected by age 25 to institutions and support systems that will enable them to succeed throughout adulthood. The FCWG brings together foundation leaders with a shared interest in preparing youth in foster care for their transition out of the child welfare system and providing them pathways to lifelong economic well-being

Evaluation of 'Business Enterprise' Module

This report outlines a process of evaluation for a business enterprise module. This exploratory research investigates the impact of 'contextual' based evaluation of enterprise education curricul