Project preparedness and the emergence of implementation problems in ERP projects

The problems that organizations face in implementing an enterprise-wide ERP project are linked to their level of understanding of what is involved in such an endeavor and how it influences their initial preparations. We sought to demonstrate empirically the causal relationship between the organization's preparedness and the emergence of implementation problems. We examined four case studies to extract insight into the criticality of certain factors and the type of problems created when no moderating measures were taken by project managers. Consequently, we developed a predictor-outcome model mapping a lack of preparedness with implementation problems.     

一类多输入非线性系统的同时H∞镇定

研究了一类多输入非线性系统同时H∞镇定问题. 提出了可系统地构造公共二次控制储能函数(Control storage function, CSF)的方法. 基于公共二次控制储能函数,设计了可同时H∞镇定闭环系统的连续控制律. 通过一个例子说明了本文所提出方法的有效性.     

An exploratory study for investigating the critical success factors for cloud migration in the Saudi Arabian higher education context

Saudi universities have at their disposal a huge number of low cost IT resources to aid in teaching, research and learning. By migrating to cloud services, Saudi universities will be moving data and programs from local servers to the internet, thereby providing users with the ability to access and share information at any time from multiple devices. The migration to cloud-based IT resources is not yet widespread in Saudi universities due to several challenges including security, legal policies and implementation. At present, there is lack of research and guidance for Saudi universities on how to overcome these challenges and how contextual factors can influence the successful migration to the educational clouds.This research presents a framework for the successful migration to cloud technology in the Saudi Arabian universities. In this research, a set of key critical success factors (CSFs) were identified by synthesizing components from studies concerned with the migration of cloud for higher education and factors identified from the successful implementation of WBL (Web Based Learning) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) on higher education in Saudi Arabia. Based on this knowledge, the proposed framework was evaluated via expert review and a survey by IT specialists from the Saudi universities. The initial CSFs were updated based on the expert reviews and the results were analysed. Based on the findings at this stage, additional CSFs were added to the framework as suggested by the experts. Subsequently, in order to confirm the reviewed CSFs, additional investigation via a structured online questionnaire was conducted and the outcome was analysed via one-sample t-test with the data integrity analysed via Cronbach’s alpha. The outcome indicated the majority of CSFs to be statistically significant except the Physical Location CSF. Potential future study and contributions are discussed.     

Winning customer loyalty in an automotive company through Six Sigma: a case study

Six Sigma is a disciplined approach to improving product, process and service quality. Since its inception at Motorola in the mid 1980s Six Sigma has evolved significantly and continues to expand to improve process performance, enhance business profitability and increase customer satisfaction. This paper presents an extensive literature review based on the experiences of both academics and practitioners on Six Sigma, followed by the application of the Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control (DMAIC) problem‐solving methodology to identify the parameters causing casting defects and to control these parameters. The results of the study are based on the application of tools and techniques in the DMAIC methodology, i.e. Pareto Analysis, Measurement System Analysis, Regression Analysis and Design of Experiment. The results of the study show that the application of the Six Sigma methodology reduced casting defects and increased the process capability of the process from 0.49 to 1.28. The application of DMAIC has resulted in a significant financial impact (over U.S. $110 000 per annum) on the bottom‐line of the company. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Critical success factors for urban regeneration projects in Korea

Urban regeneration projects aim to foster the well-being of a city by bringing lasting improvements in the social, economic, physical, and environmental aspects of an urban area. Urban regeneration projects have a higher possibility of uncertainty and complexity than other construction projects. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) of such projects and to prioritize CSFs in each project phase so that project promoters and managers can appropriately focus their efforts. We identified and confirmed 10 CSFs through a brainstorming process and 29 expert surveys. The priority of CSFs in each phase of an urban regeneration project can be determined using the suggested model, which takes into account degrees of both importance and satisfaction of each CSF. The priorities were assessed based on 122 expert surveys and the proposed model, and the implications of the results are discussed.     

The roles of social identity and dynamic salient group formations for ERP program management success in a postmerger context

Large enterprise resource planning (ERP) programs and their critical success factors (CSFs) have been subject to intensive research in recent years. One of the key challenges is their complexity in terms of their duration, context, and social dynamics. The aim of this study is to investigate these matters with the help of an interpretative case study using the coding techniques of the grounded theory method. We extend extant ERP research by introducing a new theoretical perspective that helps to clarify how stakeholder perceptions and CSFs are interrelated, and evolve throughout the life cycle of a large ERP implementation conceptualized as a program in a postmerger context. Using Social Identity Theory as a metatheory for interpretation, we find that different perceptions of opposing salient groups are particularly important. Our result offers a dialectic process view of ERP program implementation success, which (1) considers the different perceptions of salient groups (2) at different points in time (phases) and (3) proposes that a low perceptual fit in relation to a specific CSF contributes to program failure as opposed to (4) a high perceptual fit in relation to the respective CSF, which contributes to program success. We offer a new theoretical lens and propositions for future work highlighting the importance of salient groups and their CSF perceptions for ERP program success. Practitioners can use our findings as a guide towards increasing the probability of success throughout the course of their ERP program life cycles.     

基于关键成功因子的ERP项目实施过程模型

鉴于ERP实施项目周期长、成本高、失败风险大的现实情况,本文以“关键成功因子”为核心建立ERP实施过程模型,模型包括“关键成功因子的识别”、“以关键成功因子评价为基础的实施过程改进”和“以变更管理为基础的实施过程改进”三个要素。应用该模型使得在ERP项目实施前能预测到项目可能的风险,缩短实施周期,使整个实施过程得到有效监督、测量,提高ERP实施成功率。     

Competitive advantage from ERP projects: Examining the role of key implementation drivers

In this study, we build a conceptual model, which draws upon information systems implementation theory, to investigate the relationship between critical success factors related to the implementation of ERP software and the goal of competitive advantage. We test this model with data from a survey of 217 Australian organisations, using structural equation modelling (SEM). We find that organisations can best achieve competitive advantage by carefully managing: a) training and education, and b) system integration activities. Perhaps unexpectedly, neither well-conducted business process re-engineering nor good project management necessarily lead to competitive advantage. We have extended prior knowledge by providing empirical evidence that some CSFs do influence competitive advantage but that others may not. The results confirm that overall project delivery outcomes can be improved by understanding the influence of factors on both project management performance and post-implementation performance. Some theoretical and managerial consequences of the study's findings and limitations are discussed.     

Performance evaluation framework for sustainable freight transportation systems

Sustainability in freight transportation demands for a balance among economic, environmental, and social aspects in shipping commodities throughout a supply chain. The performance evaluation of sustainable freight transportation (SFT) systems is of prime importance as it facilitates perpetual and objective assessment for advancements towards sustainability targets. In this study, we propose a comprehensive framework to assess the sustainability performance of freight transportation systems. We pinpoint critical success factors (CSFs) affecting the performance of SFT by carrying out an extensive literature review and conducting a Delphi study to seek experts’ opinions from industry as well as academia. Further, a comprehensive hierarchical framework is developed to establish inter-relationships among these CSFs followed by prioritisation of these CSFs. The application of the proposed framework is illustrated through a case example. This framework would also serve as a reference for decision-makers in selecting the most sustainable freight transportation system.     

Factors Influencing The Success Of E-Government

This research focuses on the critical success factors (CSFs) of e-government. Its main purposes are to (1) explain the development of the methodology of CSFs for e-government, (2) present the practical implementation of this methodology in Polish public administration, and (3) to assess the preliminary results of the practical implementation. The article continues as follows. First, the article clarifies the concept of e-government and the CSFs for e-government. Second, the methodology of CSFs for e-government is explained in detail. Third, the article presents the preliminary results of the practical implementation of this methodology in Poland, at the local and state level of government. The article concludes with a discussion on research findings, implications, and avenues for further research. This work contributes to extant research by showing a holistic approach to the CSFs for e-government.