The impact of Enterprise Resource Planning systems on forecasting /
Managers have always searched for new ways to improve their companies' overall performance. Sometimes they must completely reengineer their business processes in order to remain competitive. Companies implement Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in an attempt to optimize their business...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
2001.
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| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=726089491&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | Managers have always searched for new ways to improve their companies' overall performance. Sometimes they must completely reengineer their business processes in order to remain competitive. Companies implement Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in an attempt to optimize their business processes through the integration of the information of the different functional areas of their organizations. With the use of ERP many, if not most, of the processes are automated and tightly connected with information links. The forecasting process, as well as many other processes, will probably experience changes when the firm adjusts to this way of operation. In our opinion, to date, there has been no published formal study that reports where changes have occurred, their direction, and the effect these may have had on forecasting performance. The objective of this study is to assess the impact that an ERP system has on the company's forecasting process and the way the process is managed. The relationships between a company's implementation of an ERP system, forecasting performance and operational performance are also explored. Two research methodologies, survey and case study, are combined to in the attempt to reach this study's objective. A survey instrument was developed to collect quantitative field data concerning companies' forecasting practices before and after the implementation of ERP. Statistical tests were used to analyze survey responses. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews in eight companies. Transcribed text from the interviews was categorized under nine relevant themes. A cross-case analysis was then performed on the coded data. Quantitative and qualitative data were compared for similarities and differences in findings. Data showed significant positive changes in companies' forecasting processes, forecasting process management, and forecasting and operational performance after ERP's implementation. Significant increases were found in the: usage of quantitative forecasting techniques, level of easiness and speed in making judgmental adjustments to quantitative forecasts, level of functional integration, forecast accuracy, forecast turn-around time, and delivery times. These findings contribute to the empirical knowledge of the impact of ERP on forecasting practices. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Information and Operations Management". |
| Physical Description: | x, 175 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 140-145). |