enterprise resource planning

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System: An Effective Tool for Production Management

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Title: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System: An Effective Tool for Production Management

Author(s): A. P. Kakouris, (Research Associate in the School of Administration and Economics, Technological Educational Institute, Ag. Spyridonas Street, Aegaleo, 122 10 Athens, Greece), G. Polychronopoulos, (Professor, School of Administration and Economics, Technological Educational Institute, Ag. Spyridonas Street, Aegaleo, 122 10 Athens, Greece)

Citation: A. P. Kakouris, G. Polychronopoulos, (2005) "Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System: An Effective Tool for Production Management", Management Research News, Vol. 28 Iss: 6, pp.66 - 78

Keywords: ERP, Implementation, Production, SAP

Article type: Research paper

DOI: 10.1108/01409170510784878 (Permanent URL)

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Abstract: Independent of the size of the company, an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system can either boost or doom a company, if implemented successfully or unsuccessfully. There is a great deal of supporting evidence from the literature, mainly from large manufacturing and service organisations. This article adopts a case study approach to investigate the selection and im plementation activities in a manufacturing company in Greece focusing mainly on production management aspects. The goal is to provide insight into the ERP functionality with respect to production and thus the selection of an actual business case proves how the enterprise successfully implemented and integrated such a system, highlighting the processes used, the obstacles faced and how they were overcome, as well as the gains achieved. Finally, it provides useful information and practical suggestions that may help production managers and users to get a better understanding of how to deploy such systems.

ERP in clouds or still below


Title: ERP in clouds or still below

Author(s): Igor Grubisic, (ADWEKO Consulting GmbH, Belgrade, Serbia)

Citation: Igor Grubisic, (2014) "ERP in clouds or still below", Journal of Systems and Information Technology, Vol. 16 Iss: 1, pp.62 - 76

Keywords: AHP, Cloud computing, Decision support systems, ERP


DOI: 10.1108/JSIT-05-2013-0016 (Permanent URL)


Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the market readiness to adopt the Cloud as the future ERP platform, by using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) decision support methodology.

Design/methodology/approach – Interviewing is conducted on the convenient sample, of enterprises from various industries. The interview is conducted through expert telephone interview and self-administered questionnaire. Results are then used as a basis for forming the weight factors necessary for the AHP decision model. Data are analyzed and synthesized using AHP and Expert Choice.

Findings – Results demonstrate a huge interest for TCO reduction, but also a concern for data privacy and availability. Large enterprises want their data on local servers, while smaller companies tend to act as “first adopters”, mainly because of the cost benefits that Cloud offers. Finally, vendors see the hybrid solutions as the most suitable approach for the overall market, at least while current Cloud obstacles exist.

Research limitations/implications – This research does not aim to answer the question what is the best solution for a particular industry. Instead, it assumes the general approach, which answers the question what would in general be the adequate solution for the SME and how much are SMEs ready to adopt the ERP in the Cloud. A further research is necessary to validate these results in practice. That research should be industry specific, i.e. narrowed to one industry only. Then, it would be possible to answer the question what is the best solution for high-tech SMEs.

Practical implications – This paper summarizes Cloud pros and cons useful for decision makers to establish a starting point for IT reorganization. Additionally, AHP results provide some indications of the market's perception regarding Cloud and ERP, while vendors' statements about ERP-Cloud solutions provide an interesting glimpse of the ERP market in the next few years.

Originality/value – Market demands constant flexibility and cost effectiveness, forcing companies to adapt faster than ever. Therefore, there is a significant risk for first adopters and their business if they adopt an inadequate solution. This paper offers a high-level overview of the SME's market understanding and willingness to adopt ERP in the Cloud idea, and it demonstrates how the AHP decision support methodology can be used to assess the readiness of enterprises to adopt the Cloud-ERP solution.

Quality Management based on ERP


Title: Quality Management based on ERP

Author(s): Jing Sun, (School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China)

Citation: Jing Sun, (2002) "Quality Management based on ERP", Asian Journal on Quality, Vol. 3 Iss: 1, pp.98 - 106

Keywords: Enterprise resource planning (ERP), Quality management, Quality process reengineering

Article type: General review


Publisher: MCB UP Ltd

Abstract: Many enterprises didn’t ask to involve the module of Quality Management in ERP system, even an enterprise having implemented ERP successfully thought about to implement Quality Information System (QIS) again. A lot of quality information provided by ERP system is wasting. The key of resolving this problem is Quality Process Reengineering based on the modern quality management customer-oriented and process-oriented. But at first, quality functions, not only during the conentional manufacturing process but also purchasing and sales & distribution process, must be identified. Then relationship between quality management and these processes will be made clear

Management control competencies and ERP: an empirical analysis in France


Title: Management control competencies and ERP: an empirical analysis in France

Author(s): Wilfrid Azan, (University of Haute Alsace, Mulhouse, France and CESAG, EM Strasbourg Business School, Strasbourg, France), Marc Bollecker, (University of Haute Alsace, Mulhouse, France and CESAG, EM Strasbourg Business School, Strasbourg, France)

Citation: Wilfrid Azan, Marc Bollecker, (2011) "Management control competencies and ERP: an empirical analysis in France", Journal of Modelling in Management, Vol. 6 Iss: 2, pp.178 - 199

Keywords: Accounting, Competencies, ERP, Information systems, Management controllers




Abstract: Purpose – The present paper seeks to address the issue of MIS where developments in IT have had a significant impact on competencies.

Design/methodology/approach – This paper explores this notion which has received little coverage in IS literature to date, with a focus on the field of accounting and management control. Many authors have voiced their uncertainty about how the control function will evolve in the future. In effect, IS developments challenge controllers' legitimacy if the latters' know-how fails to keep up with technological developments. This paper analyses the makeup of controllers' competencies and, in particular, the need for the latter to be able to use ERP systems. It proposes the concept of technological contingency as a means to understand evolutions in ERP controllers' competencies in comparison with traditional controllers.

Findings – Technological progress broadens controllers' competencies, and ERP plays the role of a medium through which increased contingency takes place. Organisations of a certain size are compelled to implement ERP, leading to management controllers having to adjust their skills set. The study provides an ERP model to be used by controllers.

Research limitations/implications – The antecedents of the evolution can be more developed in another study.

Practical implications – The managerial impact is considerable. It is crucial for French university programmes to rapidly develop greater focus on ERP training, and job and skill referentials need to be updated in organisations, especially promotion, valorisation,

evaluation, and career development systems. Being an IS specialist in a large corporation can confer real legitimacy as it becomes an imperative. For business organisations, interpersonal relations have changed completely; communication takes place through integrated tools and there is less face to face, but on the other hand relationships are pre-ordained by IS tools. The way economic, accounting, and financial knowledge is disseminated will also change as it is communicated more explicitly.

Originality/value – To the best of the authors' knowledge, studies on management controllers' skills in an ERP environment are nonexistent. This is the first study on this subject.

Emotions and ERP information sourcing: the moderating role of expertise


Title: Emotions and ERP information sourcing: the moderating role of expertise

Author(s): Pierre-Majorique Leger, (HEC Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada), René Riedl, (University of Linz, Linz, Austria and University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Steyr, Austria), Jan vom Brocke, (University of Liechtenstein, Liechtenstein, Liechtenstein)

Citation: Pierre-Majorique Leger, René Riedl, Jan vom Brocke, (2014) "Emotions and ERP information sourcing: the moderating role of expertise", Industrial Management & Data Systems, Vol. 114 Iss: 3, pp.456 - 471

Keywords: Electrodermal activity (EDA), Emotion, Enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, ERP,Expertise, Novice, Physiology


DOI: 10.1108/IMDS-09-2013-0365 (Permanent URL)


Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on a laboratory experiment in which the paper investigated how expert and novice users differ in their emotional responses during use of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system in a decision-making context, and how such a difference affects information sourcing behavior.

Design/methodology/approach – In a simulated SAP business environment, participants’ emotional responses were physiologically measured based on electrodermal activity (EDA) while they made business decisions.

Findings – Results show that both expert and novice users exhibit considerable EDA activity during their interaction with the ERP system, indicating that ERP use is an emotional process for both groups. However, the findings also indicate that experts’ emotional responses led to their sourcing information from the ERP, while novices’ emotional responses led to their sourcing information from other people.

Research limitations/implications – From an academic standpoint, this paper responds to the recent call for more research on the role of emotions for information systems behavior.

Practical implications – The paper discusses the implications of this finding for the development of ERP system trainings.

Originality/value – Because emotions often do not reach users’ awareness level, the paper

used EDA, a neurophysiological measure, to capture users’ emotional responses during ERP decision making, instead of using self-report measures that depend on conscious perception. Based on this method, the paper found that emotions can lead to different behavioral reactions, depending on whether the user is an expert or novice.

Effect of business characteristics and ERP implementation on business outcomes: An exploratory study of Korean manufacturing firms


Title: Effect of business characteristics and ERP implementation on business outcomes: An exploratory study of Korean manufacturing firms

Author(s): Pairin Katerattanakul, (Department of Business Information Systems, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA), James J. Lee, (Department of Management, Seattle University, Seattle, Washington, USA), Soongoo Hong, (Department of Management Information Systems, Dong-A University, Pusan, Korea)

Citation: Pairin Katerattanakul, James J. Lee, Soongoo Hong, (2014) "Effect of business characteristics and ERP implementation on business outcomes: An exploratory study of Korean manufacturing firms", Management Research Review, Vol. 37 Iss: 2, pp.186 - 206

Keywords: Cluster analysis, ERP, Manufacturing company, Organizational performance


DOI: 10.1108/MRR-10-2012-0218 (Permanent URL)


Abstract: Purpose – This study is an exploratory study aiming to explore whether different groups of manufacturing firms with similar business characteristics and enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation approaches would experience different business outcomes from ERP implementation. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach – Cluster analysis with data collected from 256 Korean manufacturing firms was employed to identify groups of manufacturing companies having similar business characteristics and adopting similar ERP implementation approaches. Then, the differences in business outcomes from implementing ERP systems among these groups of companies were examined.

Findings – Company size and production approaches are useful variables for grouping manufacturing firms into clusters of companies with similar characteristics. Additionally, large manufacturing firms with make-to-order production approach have significantly higher perceived benefits from implementing ERP systems regarding external coordination and competitive impact than other firms do.

Research limitations/implications – This study was conducted in only one industry of one country and used the data collected by self-reporting instrument. Thus, further studies conducted in other industries and/or other countries and using more objective measures would allow more generalizability of the findings of this study. It would also be

interesting to investigate the effects of the logistics practices adopted by small manufacturing firms even though these practices may be more suitable for large manufacturing firms.

Originality/value – This study contributes to the literatures on benefits obtained from implementing ERP systems as none of the previous studies has focused on the relationship among business characteristics, ERP implementation approaches, and business outcomes from ERP implementation.

ERP institutionalization: exploring the influential factors


Title: ERP institutionalization: exploring the influential factors

Author(s): Azadeh Pishdad, (School of Computer and Information Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia), Abrar Haider, (School of Computer and Information Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia)

Citation: Azadeh Pishdad, Abrar Haider, (2013) "ERP institutionalization: exploring the influential factors", Journal of Enterprise Information Management, Vol. 26 Iss: 6, pp.642 - 660

Keywords: Assimilation process, Enterprise resource planning (ERP), Institutional change, Institutional theory, Institutionalization


DOI: 10.1108/JEIM-07-2013-0046 (Permanent URL)


Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the external and internal factors that contribute to assimilation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) system in the organization through the processes of adapting, routinizing and institutionalization of technology.

Design/methodology/approach – This research follows qualitative interpretive approach. The results produced in this paper are based on thematic analysis of responses from open-ended interviews with ERP stakeholders in large size Australian organizations. The research findings have been further triangulated with surveys and content analysis.

Findings – This research is still in progress; therefore, this paper presents the results of the field study conducted so far along with the instrument used to collect data. This instrument consists of a list of selected questions based on the thorough review of current information systems literature. However, the major finding of this study, thus far, is that the ERP implementation is a process of aligning technology with organizational, social, cultural, economic, technical, and other organizational environmental institutions.

Research limitations/implications – The major research limitation of this study is that it is still in progress, therefore, the results reported in this paper are emergent and not complete. Another limitation of this paper is that it is Australian specific; therefore, the generalizability of the results in other settings cannot be ascertained. Nevertheless, this research contributes to the ERP implementation literature by applying a stage-based model which takes into account the pre-implementation, implementation and post-implementation stages of ERP assimilation into an integrated structure.

Practical implications – This research concludes that ERP assimilation is characterized and shaped by mutual interactions of various organizational, social, cultural,

environmental, and other institutional factors. The research framework developed in this study may be mastered as a decision-making tool by business manager to guide the organization through various stages of ERP institutionalization.

Originality/value – Institutionalization of ERP technologies is a recent phenomenon and this field is far for being matured. This research is based in Australian settings where they have been no previous study of institutionalization of technology.

Revisiting the role of communication quality in ERP project success


Title: Revisiting the role of communication quality in ERP project success

Author(s): Benoit Aubert, (Hec Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada), Val Hooper, (Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand), Alexander Schnepel, (IDS GmbH Analysis and Reporting Services (Allianz Group), Munich, Germany)

Citation: Benoit Aubert, Val Hooper, Alexander Schnepel, (2013) "Revisiting the role of communication quality in ERP project success", American Journal of Business, Vol. 28 Iss: 1, pp.64 - 85

Keywords: Communication, Communication management, Communication quality, ERP implementation,Project success

Article type: Case study



Acknowledgements: The authors wish to thank the Social Science and Humanities Research Council, the Fonds Québécois pour la Recherche sur la Société et la Culture and the CEFRIO for their financial Support.

Abstract: Purpose – Communication quality is repeatedly listed among the top success factors to consider when implementing an ERP system. Analysis shows its role is more complex. It helps some aspect of success but has no influence on others. The aim of this paper is to conduct a case study to determine the role of communication quality in the success of an ERP project implementation.

Design/methodology/approach – A case study was conducted to determine the role of communication quality in the success of an ERP project implementation.

Findings – Results suggest that different aspects of communication quality impact different dimensions of project success. Some dimensions of project success did not seem influenced by communication quality. Results also show that, for the dimensions of project success that are influenced by communication quality, the form might be as important as the content of communication.

Research limitations/implications – The literature may be repeating an “accepted truth” without actually testing it. The evaluation of the regularity of the patterns observed will require additional observations. Also, the reasons behind the association between the communication quality attributes and the different components of success will need to be further investigated.

Practical implications – For managers, the findings highlight that communication is not a silver bullet when conducting ERP projects. Managers should also be aware that the form of the communication efforts will likely have as much impact as the content of the communication process. The results specially emphasized the importance of openness in communication.

Originality/value – The study considers nine dimensions of communication quality. By examining the separate effects of the communication content and form on the components of ERP project success, the paper provides a deeper understanding of the role of communication in the implementation of ERP systems.

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