Knowledge Management and Churchman\u27s Inquirers: Evidence of Supporting Research

This paper examines current knowledge management research with respect to Churchman\u27s (1971) inquiring systems. Given that two of the most important constructs in knowledge management are knowledge creation and organizational learning, these systems should reflect the characteristics of inquiring systems as defined by Churchman (1971) and subsequently conceptualized by Mason and Mitroff (1973) and Hall, Paradice, and Courtney (2003), and should support inquiring organizations as conceptualized by Courtney, Croasdell, and Paradice (1998). This paper presents a case for using Churchman’s inquiring systems as a lens through which to view knowledge management research and examines extant research for areas appropriate for such a framework. Understanding Churchman’s inquirers and their characteristics may be critical to the direction and focus of future knowledge management research

Evaluation of Information Systems Curricula

Information systems education objectives must continually adapt to a dynamic marketplace for knowledge and skills. For faculty developing programs that better prepare students for this demanding environment, existing research and guidelines provide a foundation to develop relevant coursework. However, an examination of peer institutions indicates a significant variance in how institutions of higher learning address the requirements of local markets as they prepare their students for careers. This study reviews previous information systems curricula research, examines current guidelines for information systems education, analyzes adherence to those guidelines, and summarizes innovative approaches being used by business colleges in the U.S. to prepare students. Our findings indicate that even as the number of information systems programs decline, colleges are looking for relevant ways to serve their students and communities. For information systems education to remain connected to the marketplace, the value provided by a degree in information systems must be clear to future employers. This paper concludes by offering insights gained by an analysis of thriving programs to assist faculty working on improving their undergraduate information systems curriculum

Enterprise Resource Planning Research: Where Are We Now and Where Should We Go From Here?

The research related to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has grown over the past several years. This growing body of ERP research results in an increased need to review this extant literature with the intent of identifying gaps and thus motivate researchers to close this breach. Therefore, this research was intended to critique, synthesize and analyze both the content (e.g., topics, focus) and processes (i.e., methods) of the ERP literature, and then enumerates and discusses an agenda for future research efforts. To accomplish this, we analyzed 49 ERP articles published (1999-2004) in top Information Systems (IS) and Operations Management (OM) journals. We found an increasing level of activity during the 5-year period and a slightly biased distribution of ERP articles targeted at IS journals compared to OM. We also found several research methods either underrepresented or absent from the pool of ERP research. We identified several areas of need within the ERP literature, none more prevalent than the need to analyze ERP within the context of the supply chain