Implementing ERP systems - organisational implications

Success of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems depend on rigorous and disciplined approach to planning and implementation. This article presents a selection and implementation methodology that has been applied to three similar companies and highlights a wide variation in outcome. The underlying reasons for the variations in success can be specifically attributed to organisational personalities and culture. Analysis of these case studies provides key lessons and concludes by summarising these lessons in a cause and effect diagram

Managing strategy through business process

The work presented in this paper, following an in depth review of literature, developed a set of requirements for a Dynamic Strategy Management Process. Having evaluated the existing strategy management frameworks, models, methodologies, tools and techniques, the research concluded that although all approaches reviewed collectively met all the requirements, individually none of the approaches fulfilled all of these requirements. To fulfil these dynamic strategy management process requirements, PROPHESY (Process Oriented Performance Headed Strategy) was developed. The paper describes in some detail, the evaluation of the PROPHESY process and demonstrates its application through a case study. The paper concludes that strategy should focus on creating value that is independent for each business unit. This means developing horizontal strategies that have objectives of co-ordinating business processes and developing objectives that encourage the sharing of resources and skills

Collaborate to compete : a strategic weapon for SMEs

This paper reports on the value of collaboration in helping SMEs identify more clearly their positions in their markets and to provide pointers to strategies that might lead to increased profitability

Performance measurement: questions for tomorrow

Ever since Johnson and Kaplan (1987) published their seminal article performance measurement gained increasing popularity both in practice and research with over 3600 articles between 1994 and 1996. A précis of the literature on global and business trends predicts that the world is heading towards a networking era dominated by global autopoietic networks. A systematic review of the performance measurement literature concludes that although historically the performance measurement literature had tracked the global business trends our current state of knowledge on performance measurement is not complete and a number of fundamental questions remain unanswered, particularly in the context of future trends

Modelling the impact of climate change risk on supply chain performance

Climate change is among the top global risks due to its growing adverse impact on businesses. However, few empirical studies address this imminent risk from a supply chain perspective. Due to a lack of established approaches for capturing complex interaction between climate change risk and supply chain performance, a three-phase mixed methodology approach was attempted. A cognitive map first captured the inter-relationships based on a mental model established by a group of experts. Later, a survey gathered from industry practitioners assessing causal relationships identified key climate change factors and most influenced supply chain performance dimensions. Finally, a system dynamics model supported by multiple case scenarios assessed the implications of climate change on supply chain performance. The results indicated a significant reduction in the availability of natural resources/raw material and capacity, leading to increase in stock-outs, inventory costs and bottlenecks disrupting procurement, manufacturing and logistics functions. Supply chain performance captured through efficiency and effectiveness shows a negative trend with increasing climate change consequences. The systems approach followed in this paper contributes by providing a quantitative model for assessing the impact of climate change risk on supply chain performance

A Modeling Framework to Assess Strategies Alignment based on Collaborative Network Emotions

[DE] The Collaborative Networks (CN) discipline has been largely studied in last decades, addressing different problems and proposing solutions for the robust establishment of collaborative processes, within the enterprises willing to collaborate. The main aim of CN research is, therefore, to generate approaches that enable creating effective relationships in the long term, to achieve stable and agile alliances. The concept of alignment among the CN partners has been considered since the beginning of CN research. Nevertheless, novel perspectives of study in CN, such as the consideration of collaborative emotional states, within the CN, have been introduced in recent years. This paper connects the research area of strategies alignment and the CN emotion models. Accordingly, a modelling framework to assess strategies alignment considering the emotional environment within the CN is proposed. The modelling framework allows representing how the enterprises emotions affect in the selection and alignment of formulated enterprises¿ strategiesAndres, B.; Ferrada, F.; Poler, R.; Camarinha-Matos, L. (2018). A Modeling Framework to Assess Strategies Alignment based on Collaborative Network Emotions. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology. 534:349-361. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99127-6_30S349361534Camarinha-Matos, L.M.: Collaborative networks in industry and the role of PRO-VE. Int. J. Prod. Manag. Eng. 2(2), 53–57 (2014)Andres, B., Poler, R.: Models, guidelines and tools for the integration of collaborative processes in non-hierarchical manufacturing networks: a review. Int. J. Comput. Integr. Manuf. 2(29), 166–201 (2016)Bititci, U., Martinez, V., Albores, P., Parung, J.: Creating and managing value in collaborative networks. Int. J. Phys. Distrib. Logist. Manag. 34(3/4), 251–268 (2004)Carbo, B.: Align the organization for improved supply chain performance. ASCET Proj. 2, 244–447 (2002)Macedo, P., Camarinha-Matos, L.: Value systems alignment analysis in collaborative networked organizations management. Appl. Sci. 7(12), 123 (2017)Andres, B., Poler, R.: A decision support system for the collaborative selection of strategies in enterprise networks. Decis. Support Syst. 91, 113–123 (2016)Andres, B., Macedo, P., Camarinha-Matos, L.M., Poler, R.: Achieving coherence between strategies and value systems in collaborative networks. In: Camarinha-Matos, L.M., Afsarmanesh, H. (eds.) PRO-VE 2014. IFIP AICT, vol. 434, pp. 261–272. Springer, Heidelberg (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44745-1_26Ferrada, F., Camarinha-Matos, L.M.: A system dynamics and agent-based approach to model emotions in collaborative networks. In: Camarinha-Matos, L.M., Parreira-Rocha, M., Ramezani, J. (eds.) DoCEIS 2017. IFIP AICT, vol. 499, pp. 29–43. 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Performance Management: State-of-the-art and Implications for Europe and Beyond

Solutions for any headline problem need also come from global efforts, and these start from national and firm level activities, concerning which theories and management frameworks about improving performance have been developed and revised earnestly. This is a core purpose within EMR’s interested scope of publication. In this editorial, the state-of-the-art on performance management thinking is presented by introducing ten articles that explore new aspects that are core but sparse within the subject, which deal with ‘performance’ not just as an outcome but also in other interlinking ways that ultimately lead to it. Implications and suggested directions for future research to help the many challenges in Europe for the near and distant futures are finally presented

Understanding the context of balanced scorecard implementation: a hospital-based case study in pakistan

Background: As a response to a changing operating environment, healthcare administrators are implementing modern management tools in their organizations. The balanced scorecard (BSC) is considered a viable tool in high-income countries to improve hospital performance. The BSC has not been applied to hospital settings in low-income countries nor has the context for implementation been examined. This study explored contextual perspectives in relation to BSC implementation in a Pakistani hospital. Methods: Four clinical units of this hospital were involved in the BSC implementation based on their willingness to participate. Implementation included sensitization of units towards the BSC, developing specialty specific BSCs and reporting of performance based on the BSC during administrative meetings. Pettigrew and Whipp\u27s context (why), process (how) and content (what) framework of strategic change was used to guide data collection and analysis. Data collection methods included quantitative tools (a validated culture assessment questionnaire) and qualitative approaches including key informant interviews and participant observation.Results: Method triangulation provided common and contrasting results between the four units. A participatory culture, supportive leadership, financial and non-financial incentives, the presentation of clear direction by integrating support for the BSC in policies, resources, and routine activities emerged as desirable attributes for BSC implementation. The two units that lagged behind were more involved in direct inpatient care and carried a considerable clinical workload. Role clarification and consensus about the purpose and benefits of the BSC were noted as key strategies for overcoming implementation challenges in two clinical units that were relatively ahead in BSC implementation. It was noted that, rather than seeking to replace existing information systems, initiatives such as the BSC could be readily adopted if they are built on existing infrastructures and data networks. Conclusion: Variable levels of the BSC implementation were observed in this study. Those intending to apply the BSC in other hospital settings need to ensure a participatory culture, clear institutional mandate, appropriate leadership support, proper reward and recognition system, and sensitization to BSC benefits