Temporal context memory is a type of episodic memory that refers to memory for the timing of events. Temporal context includes environmental cues that provide information about the time point at which an event happened. The purpose of the present studies is to investigate the brain mechanisms underlying temporal context processing by using both fMRI and ERP techniques. The fMRI study investigated whether hippocampal representations in CA1 and DG/CA3 subfields were sensitive to the flow of physical time, and if so, whether the number of events that occur during a time period influences the temporal representation of a target event. Results showed that both CA1 and DG/CA3 were sensitive to the flow of physical time, which was indicated by higher representational similarity between two pictures that occurred closer in time than those that occurred more distant in time. However, the variety of preceding events did not influence temporal representation, which was demonstrated by the lack of a significant representational similarity difference between two pictures that were interleaved with variable events as opposed to similar events. The ERP study compared the ERP correlates of temporal to spatial context. Results showed that temporal and spatial contexts had overlapping ERP effects except that the ERP effects of temporal context were more frontally distributed than spatial context. Both the fMRI and ERP studies indicate that temporal context is associated with similar neural correlates to other types of context in episodic memory. / Ph. D. / Episodic memory is memory for where and when an event happened. The ability to memorize the timing of events relies on one type of episodic memory: temporal context memory. Temporal context includes environmental cues that provide information about the time point at which an event happened. The purpose of the present studies was to investigate the brain mechanisms underlying temporal context processing by using both functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and event and event-related potential (ERP) techniques. The fMRI study focused on hippocampus, one of the key brain regions process non-temporal contexts (i.e. spatial context, which refers to where an event happened), and investigated which subfields (CA1 and DG/CA3) in the hippocampus were sensitive to the flow of physical time. And the second purpose of the fMRI study was to examine whether the variety of events that occur during a time period influences the temporal representation. Results showed that both CA1 and DG/CA3 were sensitive to the flow of physical time. However, the variety of events did not influence temporal representation. Since CA1 and DG/CA3 are also critical for non-temporal context processing, these results indicate that temporal context has same neural mechanisms as non-temporal contexts. The ERP study investigated the brain activity as a whole and directly compared the ERP correlates of temporal to non-temporal context. Results showed that temporal and nontemporal contexts had overlapping ERP correlates except that the ERP effects of temporal context were more frontally brain region distributed than spatial context. Therefore, both the fMRI and ERP studies indicate that temporal context is associated with similar neural correlates to other types of context in episodic memory.

No / This paper presents a novel taxonomy of the critical success factors in enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation process. ERP benefits cannot be fully realised unless a strong alignment and reconciliation mechanism is established between technical and organisational imperatives based on the principles of process orientation. It is suggested in the taxonomy that measurement takes place in a balanced perspective, and for the purpose of providing useful information that can enable the decision making process and, which can help deliver the corporate objectives and therefore lead the business competitively forward. Upon this premise, the taxonomy is based on a comprehensive analysis of ERP literature combining research studies and organisational experiences. The taxonomy reflects the essential features of ERP systems, as being built based on the principles of business process management. Furthermore, it illustrates that ERP benefits are realised when a tight link is established between implementation approach and business process performance measures.

No / ERP implementation is a socio-technical challenge that requires a fundamentally different outlook from technologically-driven innovation, and will depend on a balanced perspective where the organisation as a total system is considered. ERP implementation is considered to rely on behavioural processes and actions. It is a process that involves macro-implementation at the strategic level, and micro-implementation at the operational level. This therefore means that implementation in the context of ERP systems is not possible through an ON/OFF approach whereby deployment of the new systems will necessarily yield the desired and expected results. Understanding the implementation process through a balanced perspective will therefore prevent any unpleasant surprises, and will ensure and guide the change process to be embedded in a painless fashion. The balanced perspective means that socio-technical considerations must be borne in mind; the strategic, tactical and operational steps clearly defined; and the expected benefits evaluated and tracked through creating seamless and solid integration. This paper proposes an integrative framework for ERP implementation based on an extensive review of the factors and the essential elements that contribute to success in the context of ERP implementation.

IT Outsourcing (contracting-out of Information Technology services) has become a pivotal economic trend in recent decades. This study traces the interlacing of IT Outsourcing with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software systems. Little research has considered the reciprocal relations between these two phenomena. This was the gap in knowledge addressed by the research. More specifically, the research investigated: why organisations turn to IT Outsourcing providers to implement and maintain ERP systems and what are the success factors for selective IT Outsourcing within ERP projects in Israel. Field research was conducted in organisations during 2006-2008, employing IT Outsourcing for ERP systems in two stages: Stage One used qualitative data-collection tools: five semi-structured interviews and fifteen open-ended questionnaires. Inductive content and thematic analysis conducted on data from these tools produced themes that formed the basis for a closed-ended questionnaire used in the next stage. Stage Two employed seventy two closed-ended questionnaires. Quantitative data from this questionnaire underwent deductive statistical analysis to test and confirm findings from Stage One. Results indicated that significant differences between ERP package-based centralised cross-organisational systems and the out-dated self-developed legacy IT systems produced different organisational requirements for IT Outsourcing services. Respondents thought it essential to employ IT Outsourcing for ERP projects, noting different motivations for this strategy. Respondents identified four success factor groups for IT Outsourcing in ERP projects, grading the factors according to relative importance. Management commitment and support was the most important success factor group. The research showed that organisations that implement ERP systems regard it as essential to employ the IT Outsourcing services since they provide experienced updated experts. Organisations stress that they need these services to ensure effective, operable systems, understanding that initially there is little cost reduction. Management commitment, wise choice of vendors and intelligent contracting can establish successful vendor-organisation collaboration. Contribution to knowledge is made by offering a better understanding of the unique phenomenon of IT Outsourcing within ERP projects in Israel, motivations to use and success factors

This study tests a theoretical model developed to investigate the impact of assimilation of commercial open source enterprise resource planning software (COSES) in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Specifically, the model explains how the top management team’s (TMT’s) information technology (IT) knowledge and experience impact both assimilation and firm performance. The hypotheses were tested using survey data from SMEs that have implemented COSES. Results from structural equation modeling suggest that SMEs benefit, through higher levels of assimilation and performance, from adopting innovative enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as COSES when they have a TMT that has experience with and is knowledgeable about technology. The study also highlights the importance of the TMT in facilitating IT assimilation.

La synchronisation des flux physiques a reçu une importante attention dans la littérature. Si le non flux physique a reçu une attention toute particulière dans des domaines tels que le SCM, le pendant financier a longtemps était délaissé. Plus inquiétant, les délais de paiement ont longtemps été perçus comme un moyen de réduction du besoin en fonds de roulement des grandes entreprises. La crise des Subprimes a eu de lourdes conséquences sur le financement des entreprises les plus modestes, mettant en danger l’existence même de ces dernières. Notre travail initial de synchronisation des flux physiques et financiers instruits dans la cadre d’un partenariat CIFRE visait à trouver des solutions à ces problématiques en proposant des modèles d’optimisation sous contraintes. Néanmoins, notre volonté de mettre en œuvre nos travaux fut vaine et notre sujet a progressivement drifté vers la découverte de l’échec du déploiement d’un système ERP. Notre enracinement au sein d’une grande entreprise du secteur de la défense française nous a permis de mettre en œuvre une recherche action canonique en trois phases distinctes et a débouché sur la production d’un modèle de diffusion de l’innovation appliqué à l’ERP. Ce modèle en 6 phases, décrits les étapes successives du déploiement, en mettant en exergue l’impact des forces politiques au sein de l’organisation. / Synchronization of physical flows received significant attention in the literature. If the non-physical flows received special attention in areas such as SCM, financial for a long time was helpless. More worryingly, payment delays have long been seen as a means of reducing the need for working capital for large firms. The subprime crisis has had a serious impact on the financing of the smaller companies, endangering the very existence of the latter. Our initial synchronization job physical and financial flows educated in the context of a CIFRE partnership aimed at finding solutions to these problems by proposing models of optimization under constraints. However, our commitment to implement our work was in vain and our subject has gradually drifted to the discovery of the failure of the deployment of an ERP system. Our roots in a large enterprise sector French defense allowed us to implement an action research canonical three distinct phases and resulted in the production of a model of diffusion of innovation applied to the ERP. This model into 6 phases, described the successive stages of deployment, highlighting the impact of political forces within the organization

Anpassningar i ett affärssystem är en komplex och problematisk process. Det är en utmaning för systemleverantörer att utveckla ett system som matchar organisationers behov och som inte kräver anpassning. Många kundorganisationer är i behov av att genomföra kundspecifika anpassningar i sitt system på grund av saknad funktionalitet. Systemleverantörer kan bemöta kunders behov på olika sätt där anpassning av kunders standardsystem kan genomföras. Är inte behovet av en anpassning genomförbar kan det krävas ändring av kundens affärsprocesser. Studien syftar till att bidra med kunskap om hur systemleverantörer arbetar med kunders önskemål om anpassningar i affärssystem. Studiens resultat beskriver hur systemleverantörer bemöter den problematik litteraturen redogör. Det presenteras även en specifik process för hur systemleverantörer kan arbeta med anpassningar.

This thesis is concerning with problems of using database systems in ERP / ERP II software packages. The goal is to define position of ERP / ERP II systems in the Information System market. With this topic are also connected characteristics of database systems and definition of their specific position towards ERP / ERP II solutions. Except classical solutions, when the whole Information System is situated "inside" a company, there are also analyzed new attitudes, which respect external provider of ERP / ERP II and database services, particularly SaaS and Cloud Computing technology. This thesis also deals with evaluation of contributions and threats of these new business models, respecting different size of ERP / ERP II solutions. After introductory theoretical chapters, we choose respondents from groups of producers and distributors of ERP / ERP II products and we implemented a survey through questionnaire research. The goal is to clarify main reasons of choice of specific database platforms, used with different types of ERP / ERP II solutions. Afterward, with the aid of defined hypothesis, I'm trying to explain a degree of platform independence of robust ERP / ERP II software packages, towards database platforms. In closing parts of the thesis, there are compared individual database platforms among each other, respecting their suitability of usage in ERP / ERP II systems. Database systems are closely analyzed from several points of view. On the basis of ascertained theoretical and empirical frequency of particular database solutions we determine dominant market players and with the aid of multicriterial comparison we clear up reasons of their success among other competitors. Finally, we outline an anticipated trend, where the database systems market destined for ERP / ERP II products should grow in.

O gerenciamento dos riscos constitui um dos pontos fundamentais para o sucesso de projetos de implantação de um Enterprise Resource Planning - Sistema Integrado de Gestão (ERP), visto que são trabalhos complexos com grandes investimentos, longos períodos e alto risco. Um aspecto que influencia significativamente os projetos e que deveria ser considerado na análise de riscos é a sazonalidade, apesar de ser pouco abordado na literatura. Neste sentido, este trabalho tem como objetivo identificar e analisar os métodos e recursos de análise de riscos mais adequados para projetos de implantação de ERP influenciados por incertezas sazonais. No contexto desse trabalho, entende-se por incertezas sazonais como incertezas que ocorrem em determinados períodos do ano, enquanto que a probabilidade de ocorrência será diferente nesses períodos em relação aos outros períodos do ano. Para alcançar o objetivo, esse trabalho foi dividido em quatro partes. A primeira delas é a Revisão Sistemática da Literatura (RSL), que foi realizada para identificar métodos recentemente utilizados por pesquisas da literatura para analisar riscos em projetos. Posteriormente, com os trabalhos selecionados na RSL, foi realizada uma análise de conteúdo semântica para decompor os métodos identificados em recursos de análise de riscos. O grau de importância dos recursos de análise de riscos para os projetos de implantação de ERP influenciados por incertezas sazonais foi validado através da técnica Delphi, com o apoio de especialistas em gerenciamento de projetos. A técnica Delphi foi realizada em duas rodadas que duraram aproximadamente 30 dias cada uma, finalizando a segunda rodada com uma concordância forte entre as opiniões entre 16 participantes, calculada através do coeficiente de concordância W de Kendall. Por fim, as informações obtidas com a técnica Delphi permitiram também priorizar dos métodos de análise de riscos para esses tipos de projetos. O resultado obtido com esta pesquisa foi a identificação de seis métodos e oito recursos mais adequados para analisar riscos em projetos de implantação de ERP influenciados por incertezas sazonais. Destaca-se dentre os métodos de análise de riscos mais adequados o método Matriz de Probabilidade e Impacto, pois foi identificado na literatura utilizando recursos \"Análise de probabilidade e impacto\", \"Matriz de probabilidade e impacto\" e \"Riscos categorizados por fase do projeto\", classificados como muito importantes para analisar riscos nesses tipos de projetos. Também foram analisadas, separadamente, as importâncias atribuídas aos recursos de análise de riscos pelos grupos de participantes do painel Delphi, formados por Profissionais de Projetos e Profissionais de Diretoria. Dentre os seis métodos de análise de riscos mais adequados para projetos de implantação de ERP influenciados por incertezas sazonais, três métodos não são tradicionais na área de gerenciamento de riscos em projetos, o que contribui para profissionais e pesquisadores passem a conhecer e considerar tais métodos nesses tipos de projetos / Risk management is one of the key points for the success of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation projects, since they are complex jobs with large investments, long periods and high risk. One aspect that significantly influences the projects and that should be considered in the risk analysis is the seasonality, although it has been low discussed in the literature. In this respect, this work aims to identify and analyze the most suitable resources risk analysis methods and resources for ERP implementation projects influenced by seasonal uncertainties. In the context of this work, seasonal uncertainties mean uncertainties taking place at certain times of the year, while the probability of appearance will be different from these periods to others. To reach the goal, this work was divided into four parts. The first of these is the Systematic Review of Literature, which was carried out to identify methods used recently in literature researches to analyze risks in projects. Subsequently, with the selected papers in the RSL, a semantic content analysis was performed to decompose the methods identified in risk analysis resources. The importance degree of the risk analysis resources to the ERP implementation projects influenced by seasonal uncertainties was validated through the Delphi technique, with the support of project management specialists. The Delphi technique was performed in two rounds that lasted approximately 30 days each, finishing the second round with a high agreement of opinions among 16 participants, calculated through the coefficient of agreement W of Kendall. Finally, the information obtained with the Delphi technique also allowed to prioritize the risk analysis methods for these types of projects. The result obtained with this research was the identification of six most suitable methods and eight most suitable resources to analyze risks in ERP implementation projects influenced by seasonal uncertainties. Among the most adequate risk analysis methods, the Probability and Impact Matrix method was a highlight, as it was identified in the literature using resources like \"Probability and impact analysis\", \"Probability and impact matrix\" and \"Risks categorized by project phase\", classified as very important to analyze risks in these types of projects. It was also analyzed, separately, the importance given to the risk analysis resources by the Delphi panel participants, formed by Project Professionals and Directing Professionals. Among the six most suitable risk analysis methods for ERP implementation projects influenced by seasonal uncertainties, three methods are not traditional in the project risk management area, which contributes to professionals and researchers to know and consider such methods in these types of projects

Nos últimos anos, a adoção de TI nas empresas tem se caracterizado pelo crescente uso dos sistemas integrados de gestão, particularmente dos sistemas ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning). Devido à sua natureza integrada e abrangente, esta ferramenta traz grande potencial de crescimento às empresas que o utilizam, através da melhoria de seus processos de negócio. As pequenas e médias empresas formam um mercado atrativo para os fornecedores de tais sistemas, dado que a oferta de ERP para empresas desse porte ainda é pequena; por outro lado, a necessidade das pequenas e médias empresas por uma solução de TI que a ajude a crescer faz com que a demanda por sistemas ERP seja crescente. O presente estudo buscou entender como atua o fornecedor de sistema ERP na transformação dos processos de negócio da pequena e média empresa. Este entendimento foi viabilizado através de um estudo de caso realizado em uma empresa de médio porte do ramo de fundição. No caso estudado, o sistema ERP implantado era adequado às necessidades da empresa e sua implantação acabou por ocorrer de forma bem-sucedida, porém houve atraso e gastos maiores que os esperados. Isto ocorreu porque a empresa que implantou o ERP ainda não havia realizado implantações em empresas de menor porte, e provavelmente supôs que poderia realizar a implantação na empresa estudada como se esta fosse de grande porte. Concluiu-se que o fornecedor do sistema ERP tem papel decisivo no sucesso da implantação desses sistemas em pequenas e médias empresas, fazendo com que a empresa onde o sistema foi implantado efetue saltos qualitativos nos níveis de maturidade de seus processos de negócio e de gestão. Porém, os fornecedores precisam levar em consideração as diferenças de maturidade entre as empresas de pequeno e médio porte e as de maior porte, para as quais o ERP era normalmente ofertado; as empresas de menor porte têm processos mais simples, possuem orçamentos de TI menores e seus funcionários têm menos intimidade com ferramentas de TI e de técnicas gerenciais mais profissionais que os funcionários de empresas de grande porte. Para obter benefícios dos sistemas ERP implantados, é necessário que essas características sejam consideradas num efetivo esforço do fornecedor do sistema ERP para transformar os processos de negócio e a gestão da pequena e média empresa, de forma a possibilitar um crescimento sustentado através do uso pleno de seus recursos. / In past years the adoption of IT in companies has been marked by the growth in integrated management systems, in particular ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. Because of its integrated nature this tool has given enormous potential for growth in companies that use it and improvements in business negotiation. Small to medium business have been enticed by suppliers of such systems, given that an offer of ERP to companies of this size remains small, on the other hand, the necessities of these small and medium sized companies for an IT solution that will assist in their growth makes that the demand for such a system as ERP is on the increase. The present study brought understanding as to how the supplier of the ERP system can transform the business process in the small and medium company. This understanding was made possible through the study of a company in foundries market. In this study, the ERP system installed was adequate to the needs of the company and its implementation was well received. However there was delay and expenses were more than expected. The reason for this was that the company supplying the ERP system had not previously dealt with a company of the size and treated the company as if it were of a larger size. We conclude that the supplier of the ERP system plays a decisive role in the success and implementing of these systems in small to medium companies, meaning that they have an affect on the growth and maturity of the companies? powers of negotiation in business. However, the suppliers need to take into consideration the differences in growth and maturity between companies of small to medium size and larger companies where ERP is normally found. Small to medium sized companies have a simpler running system, their IT budgets are smaller, and their employees have less contact with IT and managerial tools than the employees in larger companies. To obtain the most benefit, it is necessary that these points be taken into consideration in a real way by the ERP supplier to make able the changes necessary in the small to medium company enabling real and sustainable growth through full use of ERP resources.