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Re-conceptualizing Enterprise Information Systems

5th IFIP WG 8.9 Working Conference, CONFENIS 2011, Aalborg, Denmark, October 16-18, 2011, Revised Selected Papers

herausgegeben von: Charles Møller, Sohail Chaudhry

Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Buchreihe : Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

This book constitutes the post conference proceedings of the 5th International IFIP Working Conference on Research and Practical Issues of Enterprise Information Systems (CONFENIS 2011), held in Aalborg, Denmark, October 16-18, 2011. The 12 papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 103 submissions. The papers are organized in four sections on conceptualizing enterprise information systems; emerging topics in enterprise information systems; enterprise information systems as a service; and new perspectives on enterprise information systems. These papers are complemented by two keynotes and a short summary of the co-located Workshop on Future Enterprise Information Systems using Lego Serious Games.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Keynotes and Workshops on EIS

Design of Enterprise Information Systems: Roots, Nature and New Approaches

Abstract

As a scientific and professional discipline, the design of enterprise systems has undergone an impressive development. Today, it has achieved a well-established practice with clearly defined phases, tasks and methods. However, enterprises are challenged by increased complexity in their operations, externally imposed uncertainties and even unforeseeable events. Dynamic global operations call for speedy and effective responses to change. As a consequence, enterprises are challenged to adopt new approaches.

In view of this call for probing new roads, it seems useful to examine the roots of design in an effort to re-interpret many of the original ideas. In this paper, we shall briefly study significant contributions to decision-making, systems theory, project management, behavioral science and organization theory, as well as business aspects.

To further understand the nature of design, we shall discuss key features, such as purposeful intent based on a stakeholder approach, situational approach, integration of subsystems, perspectives and time horizons, the design process, and modeling.

Recent developments, e.g. in design science, design thinking, managing as designing, participatory design, and agile project management, have provided a number of new approaches that in many ways represent answers to the challenges of increased uncertainty and complexity. This has led to the development of seven propositions:

∙ Understanding mutual interplay of actors – unveiling self-sustaining informal learning processes

∙ Involving stakeholders – clarifying who wants to see the design succeed

∙ Accepting diversity – working with several perspectives in parallel

∙ Experimenting with new ideas – establishing a playful and creative mood among participants

∙ Enacting key features of new systems design – involving users in testing a series of prototypes

∙ Including the organizational context – orchestrating a design effort in view of simultaneous development initiatives and top management’s shifting agenda

∙ Acknowledging that the intentions of an enterprise information system are realized through people – An enterprise information system only sets the stage for organizational processes.

If adopted in an enterprise, management will be challenged to carry out design activities in a radically different way.

Jens Ove Riis

Using Empirical Foundations for Designing EIS Solutions

Abstract

From a design science research perspective, enterprise information systems (EIS) are understood as artifacts intended to support organizations in achieving certain goals. Proper EIS design needs not only to be based on solid general foundations (‘kernel theories’) and valid construction processes, but also should incorporate domain related experience and expertise. One important aspect is to understand which design goals and context factors have lead to which variations in existing solutions in the real world. Another aspect is to understand which design variations can be empirically related to which design goals, and to derive respective design actions. Using examples from enterprise architecture management and process performance management for illustration purposes, we show that existing variations of EIS solutions can be transparently explained and that innovative EIS solutions can be systematically constructed.

Robert Winter

A Workshop about the Future of Enterprise Information Systems

Abstract

Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) can be classified into three generations, starting with the application-centric, moving on to the data-centric and then to contemporary thinking, which can be described as process-centric. The overall theme of CONFENIS 2011 was to re-conceptualize EIS. One way of re-conceptualizing is to start with a blank sheet and “think out of the box”. This topic was addressed in a workshop at CONFENIS 2011 which focused on the future of EIS. The workshop consisted of a large number of experts from across the world, divided into seven groups, who discussed the topic using LEGO SERIOUS PLAY to facilitate and stimulate the discussions. The group of seven came up with seven challenges for the future of EIS and we propose that the next generation of EIS should be conceptualized as human-centric.

Per Svejvig, Charles Møller

Conceptualizing EIS

Different Instrumental Methods Which Can Be Used in New EIS: Theory and Practical Approach

Abstract

In this paper we study Business rules management system (BRMS) approach in Enterprise information systems (EIS) development. The approach is closely connected with Enterprise decision management (EDM) concept and usage of EIS in business and world economy. The paper has survey nature and gives retrospective analysis of today’s marketing situation in EIS and BRMS industry. Highlight examples of EIS BRMS modules (ORACLE and SAP), their advantages and goals in the real high-tech industry.

Roman Veynberg, Victor Romanov

A Combined Method for Evaluating Criteria When Selecting ERP Systems

Abstract

There are many benefits offered by integrated enterprise computer systems. There are a growing number of options available to obtain such management information system support. A major problem when selecting Enterprise Information Systems, in special ERP systems, is how to deal with the great diversity of options as well as the number of criteria used to evaluate each alternative. There is an implicit tradeoff between cost and system functionality. Total cost of ownership (TCO) is in itself very difficult to calculate accurately, and needs to be considered in light of other criteria. Published criteria for ERP selection decisions in a variety of contexts are reviewed. We also present a method which integrates a multicriteria rating strategy based on the Simple MultiAttribute Rating Theory (SMART) with the meta-method Prepare-Identify-Rate-Compare-Select (PIRCS) framework for driving the selection process. The method is demonstrated with a general ERP selection decision, but is meant as a framework that can be applied with whatever criteria decision makers deem important in the context of their specific decision.

David L. Olson, Björn Johansson, Rogério Atem de Carvalho

Deployment of Open Source ERPs: What Knowledge Does It Require?

Abstract

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are rapidly becoming a de facto standard in business activity. While large and medium-sized companies have the luxury to afford proprietary ERP solutions, small companies are struggling with resource poverty which maybe makes them consider available open source ERP products which are free from licensing fee. However, there is little knowledge available on open source ERP adoption in small companies. In order to spread some light on the first phase of ERP adoption, an experiment on open source ERP deployment was conducted. The experiment aimed at investigating what knowledge is required to successfully deploy open source ERP systems. The experiment was based on a research framework, the Technology Acceptance Model 2 (TAM2), and considered usability testing and user training and education factors. The factors of Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) and Perceived Usefulness (PU) were used to determine the ease of deployment process, and the usefulness of the open source ERP deployed in relation to the made effort. The findings suggest that user with advanced computer skills perceive open source ERP deployment process as easy, and the deployed open source ERP was seen as being useful to organizations business activities.

Björn Johansson, Vadim Koroliov

Emerging Topics in EIS

Towards the Development of Large-Scale Data Warehouse Application Frameworks

Abstract

Facing with growing data volumes and deeper analysis requirements, current development of Business Intelligence (BI) and Data warehousing systems (DWHs) is a challenging and complicated task, which largely involves in ad-hoc integration and data re-engineering. This arises an increasing requirement for a scalable application framework which can be used for the implementation and administration of diverse BI applications in a straight forward and cost-efficient way. In this context, this paper presents a large-scale application framework for standardized BI applications, supporting the ability to define and construct data warehouse processes, new data analytics capabilities as well as to support the deployment requirements of multi scalable front-end applications. The core of the framework consists of defined metadata repositories with pre-built and function specific information templates as well as application definition. Moreover, the application framework is also based on workflow mechanisms for developing and running automatic data processing tasks. Hence, the framework is capable of offering an unified reference architecture to end users, which spans various aspects of development lifecycle and can be adapted or extended to better meet application-specific BI engineering process.

Duong Thi Anh Hoang, Hieu Tran, Binh Thanh Nguyen, A Min Tjoa

Adaptive EIS with Business Rules Discovered by Formal Concept Analysis

Abstract

Business rules component became essential part of such software as ORACLE, SAP, IBM and Microsoft and this fact signifies new stage in the Enterprise Information Systems development and applications. The efficiency of application such new tools depends from business rules development technology. The new generation of ЕIS software requires not only deployment strategy, but also tools for extracting business rules from description of existing practice. Along with manual business rules extraction from mountains of documents there exists the possibility to apply data mining technology based on formal concept analysis. In this paper we are presenting, how supplier and customers data, being accumulated in data base, may be used in CRM system for fitting services and relations to customer and supplier profile.

Victor Romanov, Alina Poluektova, Olga Sergienko

Enterprise Information Systems Security: A Conceptual Framework

Abstract

Over the past half a century, organizations have implemented information systems for managing their business processes. These information systems have now evolved into what are more commonly known as enterprise information systems. An important facet of implementing an enterprise information system in an organization is the development of security related issues within the information system for the business processes. In this paper, we review the relevant literature related to the security policies that are associated with the use of enterprise information systems within organizations. Based on this literature review, we identify four major issues which are security policy documentation, employee awareness, top management support, and access control. A conceptual framework based on these four issues is then presented within the context of corporate governance for the security of the enterprise information systems. We conclude our work with the future direction for this research.

Peggy E. Chaudhry, Sohail S. Chaudhry, Ronald Reese, Darryl S. Jones

EIS as a Service

Implications of ERP as Service

Abstract

In this paper we present implications for using and delivering Enterprise Resource Planning as services (ERP-as-a-service). The objective is to construct a framework of opportunities and challenges for users and suppliers of ERP-as-a-service. The framework is based on a combination of literature study and field study and includes approximately 80 implications. New implications, not found in literature, were identified in the field study. Examples of new implications include: more focus on IT-value; simplified phasing of implementation and improved supplier brand. For future research it is suggested that the framework is tested in a larger setting and that implications are prioritized for certain industries and types of business models.

Gustaf Juell-Skielse, Håkan Enquist

ERP Software as Service (SaaS): Factors Affecting Adoption in South Africa

Abstract

Within the cloud computing hype, ERP SaaS is receiving more focus from ERP vendors such as ERP market leader SAP announcing SAP by Design, their new ERP SaaS solution. SaaS is a new approach to deliver software and has had proven success with CRM systems such as Salesforce.com. The appeal of SaaS is driven by amongst other things, lower Total Cost of Ownership and faster implementation periods. However, the rate at which ERP SaaS is being adopted is low in comparison to other SaaS applications such as CRM or Human Resource systems. Hence the need to establish the reasons for this low adoption. Consequently the purpose of this research was to determine barriers that affect the adoption of ERP SaaS in South Africa. Using interviews and qualitative data analysis, this study developed a model that explains the factors that affect the adoption of ERP SaaS. Network limitations, customisation, security and cost concerns were raised as dominant factors affecting the adoption of ERP SaaS. The research concludes by suggesting that over time the adoption of ERP SaaS should increase as the technology matures.

Motheo Lechesa, Lisa Seymour, Joachim Schuler

Process Support of Business and IT Management in Czech Companies

Abstract

Defined, monitored and measured processes are significant preconditions for a well process-managed company. They are also important conditions for delivering information technology resources as services. The model, which is based on service management, is described at the beginning of this paper. The main part of this paper focuses on the results of an extensive survey. This survey dealt with an investigation into whether companies operating on the Czech market have defined business and IT processes, and if these processes are monitored, measured and continuously optimized.

Renáta Kunstová

New Perspectives on EIS

Towards Diversity in ERP Education – The Example of an ERP Curriculum

Abstract

The need for providing ERP knowledge by teaching the concepts of ERP systems in university courses and, above all, the possibilities of using these systems themselves in courses are frequently discussed in literature. There are many ERP systems with different technologies and philosophies available on the market. Here, the universities face the challenge of choosing the “right” number of ERP systems, how to include them in the curriculum and to what extent / how deep each of the systems should be taught. Within this paper, as a curriculum example, we will describe the ERP curriculum at the / Dresden University of Technology / Technische Universität Dresden, its different ERP courses, and how the ERP systems are provided and taught.

Christian Leyh, Susanne Strahringer, Axel Winkelmann

Effects of Enterprise Technology on Supply Chain Collaboration and Performance

Abstract

Supply chain collaboration has received increasing attention from scholars and practitioners in recent years. However, our understanding of how enterprise information technology facilitates supply chain collaboration is still very limited. This paper extends the theory established in enterprise information technology and supply chain collaboration literature.

Ling Li

Changing Foundations for Global Business Systems

Abstract

Companies are actively seeking new competitive advantages by changing the location and ownership of their manufacturing processes. This process results in increasing fragmentation and dispersion of global business systems of companies. The purpose of this paper is to identify how companies may improve the integration of such business systems. The paper draws on a case study of a Danish industrial equipment firm. The paper describes and analyzes the company’s operations network configurations, which lay at the foundations of the company’s global business system. It is demonstrated how the operations configurations have been changing over time and affecting the overall business system. The paper identifies the key determinants and outcomes of this change. Moreover, it proposes how the design of operations configurations can be improved through the development of a distinct systemic approach to control and coordination.

Dmitrij Slepniov, Brian Vejrum Wæhrens, Ebbe Gubi

Backmatter

Titel: Re-conceptualizing Enterprise Information Systems
herausgegeben von: Charles Møller
Sohail Chaudhry
Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-642-28827-2
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-28826-5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-28827-2