Enterprise Resource Planning Knowledge Research Articles

A Mobile Application for Learning Enterprise Resource Planning

With the growing demand for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) literate graduates in the professional world, ERP education is an imperative aspect that has been integrated into universities. However, for many higher education institutions, the affordability of a commercial ERP system for courses is not practical. On the other hand, students struggle to grasp the concept of business processes and enterprise systems. They have difficulties in fully understanding the interrelationship of various ERP modules, especially new ERP features such as Business Intelligence (BI) and Business Analytics (BA), in meeting the holistic organisational objectives. This struggle was reinforced by the COVID -19 pandemic, which forced courses to be moved from face-to-face to online platforms. In this paper, a gamified mobile learning approach for ERP learning has been proposed and implemented to enhance ERP knowledge retention, improve the availability of ERP learning material, and expose new ERP features. The mobile application, named LearnES, consists of the application of gamification and adapted learning components based on various learning models. A research model with hypotheses was developed to test the outcomes of the solution, and the application was evaluated through a mixed survey-based approach. Following the evaluation, participants manifested a favourable attitude towards learning ERP through the mobile application.

Enterprise systems knowledge, beliefs, and attitude: A model of informed technology acceptance

Fostering positive attitudes and increasing knowledge are key success factors for enterprise systems. Training can improve knowledge, but little research has investigated the effects of domain-relevant knowledge on salient cognitive beliefs and attitude in technology acceptance. We highlight the critical role of domain-relevant knowledge in the formation of beliefs and the shaping of attitude by developing a model of informed technology acceptance. We hypothesize the positive effects of multi-dimensional enterprise resource planning (ERP) knowledge on salient cognitive beliefs (i.e., ERP self-efficacy, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness) and general affective attitude toward an ERP system. Using survey data from gamified ERP training of 248 professionals from three different organizations, results support the proposed model, suggesting that ERP knowledge is an important antecedent of ERP self-efficacy, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and attitude. We find that ERP knowledge exhibits both direct and indirect effects on attitude. Moreover, we find that gamified training is an effective means of improving ERP knowledge.

Investigation of virtual teams and serious games

ABSTRACTERPsim is an intensive simulation game housed out of HEC Montreal. It allows students to operate an organization in a real-world enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Most of the research to date using ERPsim in the classroom is with face-to-face teams working together in a lab. With virtual teams being commonplace and most organizations having distributed operations, implementing ERPsim with virtual teams is representative of a real-world situation. How would using virtual teams affect technology acceptance, student satisfaction, and perceived student learning of ERP? This paper investigated the use of ERPsim with virtual teams. Data were collected using a pre- and post-test survey designed to measure technology acceptance, ERP and business process knowledge, and student satisfaction. T-tests were utilized to determine if students’ perceptions of learning from the ERPsim were different after the virtual team experience than they were after the face-to-face team experience.

Antecedents and consequences of perceived knowledge update in the context of an ERP simulation game: A multi-level perspective

Researchers and practitioners have encouraged the use of simulation games as a means of training for enhancing users' IT knowledge. However, prior research on IT knowledge has not paid much attention as to how individuals’ perceptions of knowledge shift from the pre-training to the post-training state, and has focused mainly on individual-level interventions. Drawing on the theoretical foundation of belief and attitude change, this study examines the construct of perceived knowledge update (i.e., the difference between perceived post-training knowledge and perceived pre-training knowledge) and its antecedents and consequences. In particular, we examine team collaboration effectiveness at the team level and participant effort at the individual level as predictors of perceived ERP knowledge update, which then influences intention to learn about ERP systems. We tested our research model using 252 students in 85 teams in the context of an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) simulation game. ERP systems are a business process management software which allows an organization to utilize a system of integrated applications. ERP simulation games are designed to educate ERP system users on the complexities of such systems. Our results show that team collaboration effectiveness positively influences individual effort and perceived knowledge update. We also provide empirical evidence that individual effort positively affects perceived knowledge update which in turn influences intention to learn about ERP systems.

Developing and Assessing Erp Competencies: Basic and Complex Knowledge

This research studies the influence of individual knowledge mastery of competency task performance of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) learners. The research design involved the assessment of participants' ERP competency, each of whom participated in four games of a computer-based simulation, ERPsim. ERP knowledge was assessed using a validated questionnaire, which included questions with different complexity levels. Results indicate that although reported student grade point average is not a predictor of ERP competency, ERP knowledge mastery (particularly complex knowledge) does predict ERP competence. While mastering basic ERP knowledge does not predict the competency of the participants, these results can provide useful guidelines with respect to teaching and assessment practices, as well as the development of ERP curricula. To effectively prepare learners to be able to perform in authentic learning contexts, instructors could emphasize the mastery of complex knowledge and consequently use complex knowledge test questions as a component of the instruction.

ENHANCING STUDENT LEARNING OF HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT WITH HANDS-ON ERP EXERCISES

ABSTRACT Organizations are in need of business graduates who understand how enterprise systems and integrated business processes work. Business schools are increasingly incorporating Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems into their programs to address this need. Using hands-on ERP exercises is one initiative that could enhance student learning of these vital topics. How can business schools integrate hands-on exercises to ensure business graduates have the opportunity to develop this knowledge? In particular, organizations are implementing electronic Human Capital Management (HCM) systems. This paper investigates using hands-on HCM ERP exercises in a Human Resource Management (HR) course to enhance student learning. Data will be collected using a pre and post survey designed to measure ERP and HCM process knowledge. Then t-tests will be utilized to determine if differences exist after exposure to the course material and the hands-on exercises. Keywords ERP, Human Capital Management, Hands-On Learning

The Research and Construction of National Grid ERP Knowledge Management System

A lot of domestic and international researches show that the effective management of knowledge has become a powerful way to improve the performance and success in many enterprises. Power concerns a countrys economy and its peoples livelihood so that knowledge management has been widespread concern in the power grid enterprises development and application. On April 29, 2007 , the State Grid Corporation decided to adopt enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems as the core information technology platform and principal means for the informatization construction. In order to improve the efficiency of knowledge dissemination in National Grid ERP and make all the ERP modules theoretical knowledge to be shared, consulted and applied quickly among all he ERP users, this subject was based on the core ideas and characteristics of ERP in Hebei Electric Power Corporation, combined with its use problem of ERP to analyze specifically on the system requirements, functional design, build programs , feasibility and innovation, used ASP.NET and other technologies to achieve the construction of national grid ERP knowledge management system, and provide a knowledge management system (KMS) for quickly accessing, learning and sharing knowledge. It has great practical value.

An ERP Knowledge Transfer Framework for Strategic Decisions in Knowledge Management in Organizations

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation requires wide range of knowledge from various parties and transferring the right amount of knowledge between individuals during implementation is of paramount importance. Hence, ERP knowledge transfer has been recognized as one of the most essential antecedents for a successful ERP implementation. This study defines an ERP knowledge transfer (EKT) framework for ERP implementations based on empirical findings which also considers strategic decisions to be made during implementation for effective knowledge management (KM). It classifies specific knowledge elements under ERP package knowledge and business process knowledge separately which needs to be transferred between implementation consultants and business users. In addition, key findings inform industry practitioners on how, why and with-what various types of knowledge have to be transferred during ERP project with the effects of knowledge determinants.

A Student ERP Simulation Game: A Longitudinal Study

This research paper presents the results of enterprise resource planning (ERP) learning (knowledge and skills) as well as acceptance of information technology (IT) and attitudes for students taking an ERP course who participated in an ERP simulation game. A combined total of more than 280 students over a six semester time horizon were surveyed regarding ERP knowledge and attitudes toward ERP and SAP before and again following participation in an ERP simulation game. Results suggest that the ERP simulation game was instrumental in learning ERP concepts and business processes. Moreover, student acceptance of IT was very high following the simulation game experience. In addition, salary averages for those who completed the ERP course are higher when compared to all college graduates with business majors. This research is part of a comprehensive research project to study ERP learning and decision making using ERP simulation as a medium for instruction.

The mediating effect of organizational culture and knowledge sharing on transformational leadership and Enterprise Resource Planning systems success: An empirical study in China

Senior leadership has been identified as a critical factor in fostering Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems success, however, the specific impact mechanism of transformational leadership on ERP success is still largely unknown. Based on organizational culture theory and knowledge based view, this study developed a theoretical model to explore the mediating effect of organizational culture and knowledge sharing on transformational leadership and ERP success. Data was collected from 115 IS executives and 413 ERP end users in 115 organizations in China. Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis results suggest that transformational leadership is directly related with all the four types of organizational culture – development culture, group culture, hierarchical culture and rational culture, and is indirectly related with knowledge sharing and ERP success. Specifically, development culture has direct impact on ERP success, while hierarchical culture, group and rational culture are indirectly related with ERP success, mediated by explicit and tacit knowledge sharing. The research findings can provide guidelines for the top executives to facilitate appropriate organizational culture, so as to foster ERP knowledge sharing and achieve business benefits with the assimilation of ERP systems.

Empirical study on influence of critical success factors on ERP knowledge management on management performance in high-tech industries in Taiwan

The rapid development of information technology and the emergence of the Internet have created a borderless business environment and intensified market competition. Riding on the globalization trend, high-tech companies have been gradually leveraging information technology in order to shorten their manufacturing processes, enhance productivity with lower costs and prompt delivery to meet the customers’ needs. To achieve these targets and maintain competitive advantages, companies have been introducing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and knowledge management (KM). This paper finds, via literature review, that most scholars focus only on the deployment of ERP systems and improvement of flows. Few have introduced the KM concept into ERP systems. This paper collated the literature relevant to ERP and KM and integrates the findings to introduce the ERP KM concept. The most important thing is to establish a detailed introduction plan and a prior understanding of the critical success factors (CSFs) for ERP KM introduction. This paper summarizes the CSFs for ERP KM introduction via literature review and examines the influence of these CSFs on management performance. A questionnaire survey is conducted to collect the relevant data and SPSS 10.0 (statistics software) is run for statistical and multiple regression analyses. Among these CSFs, support from senior managers, corporate vision, reengineering of corporate flows and project management, selection of appropriate consulting firms and software suppliers, the identification of suitable employees to take part in ERP introduction and the proper training and education programs have positive influences on management performance. In the multiple regression analysis, all of the individual constructs are positively and significantly correlated. The explanatory power of individual variables is high. It is hoped that the research finding can serve as a reference for ERP KM introduction to corporations.

Diffusion of ERP knowledge: a case of ERP resource centre in Taiwan

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are gradually being implemented by companies to achieve business goals and competitive advantages around the world. The demand for ERP professionals is rising dramatically; in light of this, the university alliances programme was executed by the SAP Company, which is the leading ERP vendor cooperating with National Central University (NCU) in Taiwan. Accordingly, ERP Resource Centre was established at NCU to extend ERP knowledge throughout Taiwan. The results show that the centre provides teaching activities, including cultivation of seed teachers, SAP students' club, ERP course popularisation and ERP book publishing. Also, support activities include academic conferences, ERP professional authentication and industry/academic collaboration. The experiences at NCU offer innovative and efficient methods that can be used to present the ERP curriculum and inspire future collaboration of the universities to contribute to the development of e-business courses.

Perceived absorptive capacity of individual users in performance of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) usage: The case for Korean firms

We examined the effect of absorptive capacity of users on their use of ERP in a Korean context. The three components considered were understanding, assimilating, and applying ERP knowledge. We found that the capacities of users to assimilate and apply the knowledge had both direct and indirect effects on its value. The users’ ability to understand ERP knowledge was found to influence its performance by their assimilating and applying the knowledge. We also found that organizational support moderated the relationship between their absorptive capacity and performance.

The Status of ERP Integration in Business School Curricula: Results of a Survey of Business Schools

Although a growing number of business graduates are involved in the selection, implementation, and use of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, many schools are slow in adopting and integrating these systems into their business curricula. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many schools perceive the integration of ERP software into curricula to be too complex, and the resulting costs to outweigh the benefits derived. Other schools question the relevance of ERP skills and knowledge to students. However, an increasing number of schools are joining ERP vendor alliance programs, offering ERP tracks in various departments or even building their business programs around ERP software. The apparent divergence of opinions regarding incorporating ERP into business curricula lends itself to a fruitful area of inquiry. The current study presents the results of a survey administered to information systems faculty at 94 colleges and universities that examines the current status of ERP integration in the classroom. All but three of these schools are in the US. Topics addressed in the survey include extent of ERP use in the classroom, reasons why schools did not adopt ERP for teaching purposes, implementation issues, and pedagogical uses. In addition, based on the authors’ recent experiences in implementing ERP for classroom use, benefits and challenges of ERP integration into curricula are discussed. The study’s results are informative to those schools wanting to benchmark their efforts against other schools, as well as to non-adopting schools that are considering undertaking this initiative.