The use of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems by small enterprises is proliferating. Traditionally used by large enterprises, ERP systems are now considered important enterprise management aids, which may contribute to the sustainability and growth of small enterprises. Although varying acceptance factors may impact on the acceptance of ERP systems, there is no consolidated list of ERP system acceptance factors specific to small enterprises. In this study, the strategic, business, technical and human factors that influence the acceptance of ERP systems in small manufacturing enterprises in South Africa is presented. These influencing factors may guide future initiatives aiming to ensure the acceptance of ERP systems by small manufacturing enterprise. A combined quantitative and qualitative data analysis approach was used as an analytical lens to interpret responses gathered from small manufacturing enterprises. Recommendations are made for future research on ERP system acceptance and adoption within the broader spectrum of small enterprises. / Information Systems / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

This research examines the impact of purchasing constraints and demand variability on working capital balances. The working capital accounts considered are creditors, debtors and raw material inventories. Purchasing constraints and demand uncertainty are defined. The supply chain of the South African cable industry, and one manufacturer in particular, and the challenges faced in the cable manufacturing process are discussed. To quantify the influences, a comparison between working capital accounts in the case of economic order quantity and actual purchasing practices is performed. A simulation model is developed to reproduce a larger sample of demand data, matching the cumulative probability density function of each cable type contained in the annual sales budget. The results show, that the working capital accounts react differently to changes in purchasing conditions and variations in demand, the most sensitive being raw material inventories. The study quantifies the influence of purchasing constraints on each working capital value. / Business Management / M.Com. (Business Management)

Submitted by Paulo Junior (paulo.jr@fgv.br) on 2010-05-25T21:11:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Luciano Gaete 2010 - versão final.pdf: 5228505 bytes, checksum: 668724e59158a53c0d46d3c184d08b55 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Paulo Junior(paulo.jr@fgv.br) on 2010-05-25T21:16:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Luciano Gaete 2010 - versão final.pdf: 5228505 bytes, checksum: 668724e59158a53c0d46d3c184d08b55 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2010-05-27T17:20:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Luciano Gaete 2010 - versão final.pdf: 5228505 bytes, checksum: 668724e59158a53c0d46d3c184d08b55 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-05-05 / The main goal of this work is to obtain and empirically validate an Information System Resistance model which could be applied to better understand the resistance phenomenon to information systems. The study was conducted by an explanatory research in a quantitative approach, based on an extensive review of the pertinent world literature that resulted in the consolidation of the main existing theories and models about the subject. In the proposed model a set of aspects was considered that although already having been discussed in the available literature, in its majority has not yet been empirically tested, which are: (i) the idiosyncratic individual characteristics, (ii) the technical aspects of the information systems, (iii) the socio-technical interaction aspects, (iv) the power and political interaction aspects and finally, (v) the organization context in which technology and man are inserted and interact. Then a meta-model was done as well as a survey. Once applied on Internet, the survey obtained 169 valid responses, from Brazilian IT managers who had experienced at least one experience with ERPs - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems – implementation. To obtain the final model statistical factorial analysis was applied to the answers. Each identified factor in the model corresponds to an expected cause to the information system resistance behavior. The model was than submitted to hypotheses tests trying to establish the relation between each resultant factor and the direct resistance perception of each respondent. A consolidated information system resistance model based on the Brazilian IT Managers perception about the ERPs implementation has emerged from this study. / Este trabalho visa obter e verificar empiricamente um meta-modelo que possa apoiar e aprofundar a compreensão do fenômeno da resistência a sistemas de informação. Tratase de uma pesquisa explanatória e quantitativa na qual faz-se, por meio de uma extensa revisão da literatura mundial, o levantamento e consolidação das principais teorias e modelos existentes sobre o tema. Dessa forma, buscando obter um melhor entendimento do problema de pesquisa, propõe-se um meta-modelo de fatores pertinentes ao comportamento de resistência a sistemas de informação. Neste modelo, considera-se um conjunto de aspectos que, embora já abordados anteriormente, em sua maior parte ainda não haviam sido testados empiricamente, quais sejam: (i) as características idiossincráticas dos indivíduos, (ii) os aspectos técnicos inerentes aos sistemas de informação, (iii) as características da interação sócio-técnica, (iv) as características da interação de poder e políticas e, finalmente, (v) as características das organizações nas quais a tecnologia e o homem estão inseridos e interagem entre si. O instrumento de pesquisa utilizado no trabalho foi um questionário estruturado, aplicado via Internet, com suas questões contextualizadas quanto aos sistemas de gestão empresarial ERPs: Enterprise Resource Planning Systems. Obteve-se um total de 169 respondentes, considerando-se uma amostra composta exclusivamente por gestores de tecnologia da informação (TI) brasileiros e que tenham vivenciado pelo menos uma experiência de implantação de sistemas ERP ao longo de suas carreiras. Uma vez realizada a coleta dos dados, foram empregados testes estatísticos relativos à análise fatorial, visando alcançar um modelo definitivo. A partir do novo modelo encontrado, por meio da validação proporcionada pela análise fatorial, cada fator identificado representou uma causa para o comportamento de resistência a sistemas de informação. Por fim, testou-se também hipóteses a partir do novo modelo identificado, verificando-se as relações entre a percepção direta dos gestores quanto à resistência e os diversos fatores considerados relevantes para a explicação deste comportamento. Como resultado do estudo, consolidou-se um modelo de análise do comportamento de resistência a sistemas de informação, baseado na percepção do gestor de TI e contextualizado nos sistemas ERPs.

The use of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems by small enterprises is proliferating. Traditionally used by large enterprises, ERP systems are now considered important enterprise management aids, which may contribute to the sustainability and growth of small enterprises. Although varying acceptance factors may impact on the acceptance of ERP systems, there is no consolidated list of ERP system acceptance factors specific to small enterprises. In this study, the strategic, business, technical and human factors that influence the acceptance of ERP systems in small manufacturing enterprises in South Africa is presented. These influencing factors may guide future initiatives aiming to ensure the acceptance of ERP systems by small manufacturing enterprise. A combined quantitative and qualitative data analysis approach was used as an analytical lens to interpret responses gathered from small manufacturing enterprises. Recommendations are made for future research on ERP system acceptance and adoption within the broader spectrum of small enterprises. / Information Systems / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

An entity capable of assessing its and others action capabilities possess the power to predict how the involved entities may change their world. Through this knowledge and higher level of situation awareness, the assessing entity may choose the actions that have the most suitable effect, resulting in that entity’s desired world state. This thesis covers aspects and concepts of an arbitrary planning system and presents a threat analyzer architecture built on the novel planning system Goal-Oriented Action Planning (GOAP). This planning system has been suggested for an application for improved missile route planning and targeting, as well as being applied in contemporary computer games such as F.E.A.R. – First Encounter Assault Recon and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. The GOAP architecture realized in this project is utilized by two agents that perform action planning to reach their desired world states. One of the agents employs a modified GOAP planner used as a threat analyzer in order to determine what threat level the adversary agent constitutes. This project does also introduce a conceptual schema of a general planning system that considers orders, doctrine and style; as well as a schema depicting an agent system using a blackboard in conjunction with the OODA-loop.

This report is focusing on problems with introducing standard enterprise resource planning systems (ERP) in businesses. A study has been carried out on a service and support department at a Swedish heat metering company, SVM North Node. The study aims to help the company become a better customer in choice and customization of a new ERP system. We make a description of the department studied and the work carried out there, on the basis of learning, knowledge and cooperation. As a final point we present some ideas on how computer systems could support their work, hoping that this will result in them making adequate demands on a new ERP system. / Den här rapporten fokuserar på problem med införande av affärssystem i företag. En studie har utförts på service- och supportavdelningen på ett svenskt elektronikföretag, SVM North Node. Med arbetet hoppas vi tillföra insikter som gör avdelningen och företaget till en bättre kund i sitt val och anpassande av affärssystem. I rapporten beskriver vi avdelningen och det arbete som utförs där i ljuset av lärande och kunskap. Slutligen presenterar vi några idéer för hur datorsystem skulle kunna stödja deras arbete. Syftet med detta är att de ska kunna ställa adekvata krav på ett nytt affärssystem. / Ida Järvliden, ida_jervliden@hotmail.com Stefan Rydin, rydinstefan@hotmail.com

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are complex software packages that support an integrated real-time setting among the various business functions in an entire organization. ERP systems improve productivity, but only to the extent that employees accept and use the systems extensively to perform their duties. The leaders of many organizations have not been able to realize the expected benefits because of a lack of user acceptance. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional survey study was to examine the factors that influence user acceptance of ERP systems in the United States. Davis's technology acceptance model was the theoretical foundation used to relate the independent variables (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use) to the dependent variable (user acceptance of ERP systems). The focus of the research questions was on the strength of the relationships between each of the independent variables and user acceptance of ERP systems in the United States. Data were from 97 purposively selected ERP system end users in the United States using the survey instrument based on the technology acceptance model. Regression and correlation analyses revealed a positive relationship between perceived usefulness and user acceptance, but no relationship was found between perceived ease of use and user acceptance. The findings indicated difficulties in using ERP systems for end users in the United States, which stakeholders could rectify to improve productivity in organizations. Positive social change implications include improving the standard of living, increasing the literacy rate, and reducing negative externalities to improve human and social conditions in society.

Bakgrund: Lättillgänglig och reliabel information blir betydande för effektivt beslutsfattande. Således identifieras förbättringen av beslutsfattande som den drivande orsaken till att företag införskaffar affärssystem som avser att skapa underlag, utföra analyser samt ta fram relevant data. Beslutsunderlaget som skapas ökar kvaliteten och understödjer beslutsfattandet. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, även känt som Affärssystem, är en standardiserad programvara som används för hela organisationer över flera funktioner med avseende till att effektivisera affärsområden som bokföring, inköp, tillverkning och försäljning. Numera finns det alternativ för mindre organisationer att införskaffa affärssystem, vilket resulterar i att fler SMF väljer att vända sig till mjukvaran. Affärssystemets syfte om att underlätta verksamhetens drift och förbättringar i arbetsflöden genom standardisering bidrar till att företagen blir mer resurseffektiva inom de respektive processerna. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur små-och medelstora företag använder sig av affärssystem och vilka konsekvenser det får för beslutsfattandet. Metod: Studien utgår ifrån en kvalitativ forskningsmetod. Empirin utgörs av tolv semistrukturerade intervjuer med tre små och medelstora företag. Respondenterna valdes ut genom ett målstyrt urval. För att besvara studiens problemformulering har det empiriska materialet analyserats med den teoretiska referensramen. Slutsats: Resultatet av studien visar att affärssystemet påverkar små- och medelstora företags beslutsfattning. Följande områden blir påverkade; relevans i beslut, förbättrat beslutsunderlag, delegering av beslut inom organisationen och förbättrad effektivitet vid beslut. / Background: Easily accessible and reliable information becomes essential for effective decision-making. Thus, the improvement of decision-making is identified as the driving reason why companies acquire business systems that intend to create data, perform analyzes and produce relevant data. The decision-making basis that is created increases the quality and supports decision-making. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, also known as Business Systems, are a standardized software, used for entire organizations across multiple functions to make business areas such as accounting, purchasing, manufacturing and sales more effective. Nowadays, there are options for smaller organizations to acquire business systems, which results in more SMEs choosing to turn to the software. The purpose of the ERP system to facilitate the operation of the business and improvements in work flows through standardization, contributes to the companies becoming more resource efficient within the respective processes. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how small and medium-sized companies use ERP systems and what consequences this has for decision-making. Methodology: The study is based on a qualitative research method. The empirics consists of twelve semi-structured interviews with three small and medium-sized enterprises. The respondents were selected through a purposive sampling. In order to answer the study's problem formulation, the empirical material has been analyzed with the theoretical frame of reference. Conclusion: The results of the study show that ERP systems affect the decision-making of small and medium-sized enterprises. The following areas are affected; relevance in decisions,5improved basis for decisions, delegation of decisions within the organization and improved efficiency in decisions.