Clustering-based urbanisation to improve enterprise information systems agility

Enterprises are daily facing pressures to demonstrate their ability to adapt quickly to the unpredictable changes of their dynamic in terms of technology, social, legislative, competitiveness and globalisation. Thus, to ensure its place in this hard context, enterprise must always be agile and must ensure its sustainability by a continuous improvement of its information system (IS). Therefore, the agility of enterprise information systems (EISs) can be considered today as a primary objective of any enterprise. One way of achieving this objective is by the urbanisation of the EIS in the context of continuous improvement to make it a real asset servicing enterprise strategy. This paper investigates the benefits of EISs urbanisation based on clustering techniques as a driver for agility production and/or improvement to help managers and IT management departments to improve continuously the performance of the enterprise and make appropriate decisions in the scope of the enterprise objectives and strategy. This approach is applied to the urbanisation of a tour operator EIS.     

Effects of people-centred factors on enterprise resource planning implementation project success: empirical evidence from Sri Lanka

Extant literature suggests people-centred factors as one of the major areas influencing enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation project success. Yet, to date, few empirical studies attempted to validate the link between people-centred factors and ERP implementation project success. The purpose of this study is to empirically identify people-centred factors that are critical to ERP implementation projects in Sri Lanka. The study develops and empirically validates a framework for people-centred factors that influence the success of ERP implementation projects. Survey research methodology was used and collected data from 74 ERP implementation projects in Sri Lanka. The people-centred factors of ‘project team competence’, ‘rewards’ and ‘communication and change’ were found to predict significantly the ERP implementation project success.     

ERP system implementation in SMEs: exploring the influences of the SME context

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Compared to large enterprises, SMEs differ in a number of inherent characteristics, which are likely to impact the ERP system implementations. The purpose of this study is to explore these influences of the SME context on the ERP system implementation process. SME characteristics are synthesised from relevant literature and the influences of the contextual factors on various activities across the ERP life cycle are investigated. The study presents findings from a multiple case study of four SMEs. The ownership type of the companies and limited resources were identified as the most influential contextual factors. Among the ERP life-cycle phases, the implementation phase was affected most by the SME context. The case studies also illustrate the need for a more nuanced view on what should be considered general characteristics of SMEs; for example, regarding the level of IS knowledge, business processes, and market characteristics.     

Integration of hybrid wireless networks in cloud services oriented enterprise information systems

This article presents a hybrid wireless network integration scheme in cloud services-based enterprise information systems (EISs). With the emerging hybrid wireless networks and cloud computing technologies, it is necessary to develop a scheme that can seamlessly integrate these new technologies into existing EISs. By combining the hybrid wireless networks and computing in EIS, a new framework is proposed, which includes frontend layer, middle layer and backend layers connected to IP EISs. Based on a collaborative architecture, cloud services management framework and process diagram are presented. As a key feature, the proposed approach integrates access control functionalities within the hybrid framework that provide users with filtered views on available cloud services based on cloud service access requirements and user security credentials. In future work, we will implement the proposed framework over SwanMesh platform by integrating the UPnP standard into an enterprise information system.     

Concept-based query language approach to enterprise information systems

In enterprise information systems (EISs) it is necessary to model, integrate and compute very diverse data. In advanced EISs the stored data often are based both on structured (e.g. relational) and semi-structured (e.g. XML) data models. In addition, the ad hoc information needs of end-users may require the manipulation of data-oriented (structural), behavioural and deductive aspects of data. Contemporary languages capable of treating this kind of diversity suit only persons with good programming skills. In this paper we present a concept-oriented query language approach to manipulate this diversity so that the programming skill requirements are considerably reduced. In our query language, the features which need technical knowledge are hidden in application-specific concepts and structures. Therefore, users need not be aware of the underlying technology. Application-specific concepts and structures are represented by the modelling primitives of the extended RDOOM (relational deductive object-oriented modelling) which contains primitives for all crucial real world relationships (is-a relationship, part-of relationship, association), XML documents and views. Our query language also supports intensional and extensional–intensional queries, in addition to conventional extensional queries. In its query formulation, the end-user combines available application-specific concepts and structures through shared variables.     

基于灰色关联的制造型企业ERP系统实施过程评价研究

根据制造型企业的特点,从企业资源计划(enterprise resource planning,ERP)系统实施过程中的阶段性成效和实施的关键成功因素角度建立ERP系统实施过程的评价指标体系。在指标体系的基础上利用灰色关联分析方法进行制造型企业ERP系统实施过程的评价。从而企业可以从影响实施过程成效的各个关键成功因素着手,分析实施过程中存在的问题,便于有效控制ERP项目实施的进度,不断地监控ERP项目实施的质量,及时发现并解决问题以保证正确的实施方向。     

Assimilation of enterprise technology upgrades: a factor-based study

The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the differences in the propensity of firms to initiate and commit to the assimilation of an enterprise technology upgrade. A research model is proposed that examines the influences that four technological and four organisational factors have on predicting assimilation of a technology upgrade. Results show that firms with a greater propensity to assimilate the new enterprise resource planning (ERP) version have a higher assessment of relative advantage, IS technical competence, and the strategic role of IS relative to those firms with a lower propensity to assimilate a new ERP version.     

ERP实施前企业能力评估模型及方法研究

企业在实施企业资源计划（ERP）前对自身实施能力认识不足是导致项目实施失败的重要原因之一。本文从企业ERP立项决策前的视角出发,以企业能力理论为基础,借鉴ERP实施关键成功因素的研究成果,构建了企业ERP事前实施能力五维评估模型,提出了ERP实施能力评估指标体系,运用层次模糊综合评价法（AHP—FCE法）对实施能力进行综合评价。最后,通过案例验证了评估模型、指标体系和评价方法的有效性。本研究对于企业ERP实施能力自评估,提升ERP实施成功率具有重要指导意义。     

The influence of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems' performance on earnings management

We analyse whether there is a linkage between performance measures of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and earnings management. We find that earnings management decreases with the higher performance of ERP systems. The empirical result is as expected. We further analyse how the dimension of the DeLone and McLean model of information systems success affects earnings management. We find that the relationship between the performance of ERP systems and earnings management depends on System Quality after ERP implementation. The more System Quality improves, the more earnings management is reduced.     

试谈ERP在电子商务企业中的实施与评价

ERP是现代企业实现现代化、管理科学化强有力的工具。本文介绍了电子商务企业模型、ERP与电子商务的整合,对影响ERP实施效果的因素进行了分析、提出了在ERP具体实施中应注意的事项,最后给出一个企业实施ERP的评价方法。     

Enterprise resource planning: technology acceptance in Thai universities

The primary objective of this paper is to identify the factors associated with computing satisfaction for existing legacy systems and the perceptions of usefulness and ease of use of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for Thai university staff. Questionnaires were used as a means to gain insights and perspective of ERP systems in Thai universities. The results found significant relationships between university tenure and system satisfaction, and that computer experience, age, prior knowledge and education were significantly related to ERP perceptions. Diversity is also required in administration staff to allow new ideas to be recognised and exploited. This study has investigated ERP as a new innovation at a very early stage in Thai universities. This research study has shown that potential adopters of ERP do have uncertainty about a new innovation and this compels them to find out more information about the innovation. Any efforts at persuasion should be staged over a period of time to allow a build-up of knowledge to occur in organisations that implement ERP. ERP training could then focus on explaining the advantages of ERP over the existing system, while providing users with ‘hands on’ experience of an ERP system.     

Method of evaluating the impact of ERP implementation critical success factors – a case study in oil and gas industries

The so far implemented enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems have in many cases failed to meet the requirements regarding the business process control, decrease of business costs and increase of company profit margin. Therefore, there is a real need for an evaluation of the influence of ERP on the company's performance indicators. Proposed in this article is an advanced model for the evaluation of the success of ERP implementation on organisational and operational performance indicators in oil–gas companies. The recommended method establishes a correlation between a process-based method, a scorecard model and ERP critical success factors. The method was verified and tested on two case studies in oil–gas companies using the following procedure: the model was developed, tested and implemented in a pilot gas–oil company, while the results were implemented and verified in another gas–oil company.     

Shared leadership in enterprise resource planning and human resource management system implementation

Human resource management systems (HRMS) integrate human resource processes and an organization's information systems. An HRMS frequently represents one of the modules of an enterprise resource planning system (ERP). ERPs are information systems that manage the business and consist of integrated software applications such customer relations and supply chain management, manufacturing, finance and human resources. ERP implementation projects frequently have high failure rates; although research has investigated a number of factors for success and failure rates, limited attention has been directed toward the implementation teams, and how to make these more effective. In this paper we argue that shared leadership represents an appropriate approach to improving the functioning of ERP implementation teams. Shared leadership represents a form of team leadership where the team members, rather than only a single team leader, engage in leadership behaviors. While shared leadership has received increased research attention during the past decade, it has not been applied to ERP implementation teams and therefore that is the purpose of this article. Toward this end, we describe issues related to ERP and HRMS implementation, teams, and the concept of shared leadership, review theoretical and empirical literature, present an integrative framework, and describe the application of shared leadership to ERP and HRMS implementation.     

我国钢铁企业ERP物流信息系统实施绩效评价研究

首先建立ERP实施绩效评价指标体系,采用层次分析法确定各指标的权重,并在此基础上,运用多级模糊综合评价法对湖南某钢铁企业ERP物流信息系统的实施绩效进行实证分析,较好地解决了我国钢铁企业实施ERP系统的绩效评价问题。     

Factors affecting post-implementation success of enterprise resource planning systems: a perspective of business process performance

ABSTRACT

The study investigates critical factors which are important to evaluate enterprise resource planning (ERP) in the post-implementation stage. A conceptual framework is proposed with a set of relevant hypotheses and a structural equation modeling is used to analyze the survey data using Smart-PLS package program. The results illustrate that post-implementation success factors are significant for assessing an overall impact of ERP post-implementation. Likewise, the possibility of business process performance is higher in a condition of when the systems are employed in a coordinated way. The findings may assist ERP professionals and developers in other countries for ERP implementation in future.     

Enterprise system implementation issues: learning from field study in Poland

This study examines enterprise system (ES) implementation issues on the basis of research conducted among practitioners dealing with ES projects in Poland. The particular topics investigated include mechanisms determining the success of ES implementations, project conditions and implementation effects. Using a success factors model and a synthetic measure of implementation success, this paper recognises the factors that have the greatest influence on implementation success. While researching project conditions, this study discusses how the ES projects researched were linked with enterprise strategy, how their efficiency was measured and to what extent they defined implementation goals. This paper analyses also the positive and negative effects of ES implementations. The effects investigated were divided into technical, economic, organisational and social results. During the analysis, the implementations examined were divided into groups of projects on the basis of their duration, scope and company size. The findings recognise the leading roles of certain factors among specific project groups and suggest that participants from the most complicated projects are most aware of the overwhelming implementation challenge. The analysis reveals some differences in perceptions and attitudes between stakeholders involved in an implementation project. Managerial and research issues are discussed, together with country-specific aspects.     

Open process and open-source enterprise systems

Enterprise systems have become pervasive, especially at the high end of the market where SAP and Oracle service large organisations. There is a great deal of value in enterprise systems offered to all organisations, but many small and medium businesses (SMBs) cannot afford the excessive software costs of established ERP systems. There have been a number of alternative forms of enterprise systems developed, to include open-source software. Service-oriented architecture (SOA) allows vendors to efficiently adopt new processes within their products. Organisations (and open-source ERP systems) can use SOA in customising or improving their systems. Web 2.0 helps collaborative development of knowledge which can be invaluable in identifying better business processes. The Web 2.0 era makes innovative access to enterprise systems possible for many SMBs. This paper reviews the role of SOA and Web 2.0 in making ERP systems more open, and classifies open enterprise systems on the dimension of process. We propose that organisations should conduct knowledge development for business processes through Web 2.0 prior to implementing external to enterprise systems. Once better processes are developed, they can be implemented to improve enterprise systems.     

我国企业ERP导入的风险分析及防范策略研究

ERP的成功导入取决于多个因素的综合考量。深入探讨了我国企业ERP导入的各种风险因素,并提出了相应的风险防范策略,同时指出:必须从企业实际管理需求的层面去认识企业ERP导入的本质,在企业高层领导的直接参与下,遵循企业信息化导入的三步曲,并在充分借用"外脑"的帮助下,企业才有可能有效地降低企业ERP导入风险,最大限度地取得ERP导入的成功。     

我国中小企业实施ERP的问题及解决方法

中国加入WTO之后，企业的竞争环境发生了根本的变化，全球化、信息化、过剩的经济时代的到来，要求企业必须建立高效、动态的快速反应系统，信息化是企业的必然选择，也是提升企业竞争力的利器和手段。近年来，ERP市场如火如茶，许多企业已购买并使用ERP产品，但企业实施ERP难点多、矛盾多、不可控因素多，实施ERP并获得成功的企业甚少。本文针对当前我国中小企业实施ERP中存在问题进行了深入分析，存在的问题主要有企业的高层对实施ERP的目标不明确；错误地把上马ERP当作万能工具；企业基础管理薄弱，普遍存在无法可依、有法不依的现象：缺乏相应的ERP实施人才。并针对这些问题提出了相应解决办法，实施企业必须明确ERP项目实施的目标并制定实施项目的总目标、分目标与分阶段目标；考察和选择ERP厂商；必须有一批精通ERP管理思想、掌握软件技术，同时又有在中国环境下组织实施ERP项目经验的实施顾问队伍：重视培训，并贯穿始终：ERP实施阶段需要领导强有力推进和各方协调。     

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS: ERP VERSUS BOB

The purpose of this study is to compare the use of enterprise resource planning (ERP) and best of breed (BoB) standalone systems in practice. The data for the study were collected through a postal questionnaire in 300 large and middle-sized industrial units in Finland. The questionnaire addressed questions concerning IS implementation (why, how and by whom the IS project was introduced), management accounting function, and the use of advanced management accounting techniques. The results obtained indicate that financial departments have been more interested in traditional BoB systems, while other departments have concentrated more on ERP solutions. Further, as the articulated motives behind the IS project were strategic, and moreover technical in nature, the solution in most cases was ERP, while in the cases where motives were either strategic or technical, the choice was BoB. Otherwise, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups of BoB or ERP adopters, and the problems perceived in management accounting or the adoption of advanced management accounting techniques (e.g. ABC, ABM and BSC).