Investigating and Analyzing Opportunities and challenges of implementing ERP solution projects in SMBs Essay Example for Free

Investigating and Analyzing Opportunities and challenges of implementing ERP solution projects in SMBs Essay To accomplish research objectives, the mixed method approach to research will be used. Both qualitative and quantitative data will be instrumental in investigating and analyzing the opportunities and challenges of implementing ERP solution projects in SMBs. Data will be obtained from primary and secondary data, such as books and scholarly articles about theories and models in ERP planning and implementation, and the findings or outcomes of integrating ERP in SMBs in actual situations from other studies. Key individuals from performing, including ERP solutions integrators, and receiving organizations, such as CEOs in receiving organizations, will also be interviewed to gain qualitative data that will address the research goals. The field study approach will be applied to obtain qualitative and quantitative data. The analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data that will follow the contrastive approach. The number of studies that look into the actual outcomes of ERP solutions is limited and the contrastive approach to analyzing data and perceived outcomes of the study will contribute to empirical knowledge regarding the actual or practical situations that take place when implementing ERP solution projects in running and managing SMBs. The succeeding discussions will provide details on the methods and approaches that will be applied to fulfill the objectives of the research. Research Design Field Study ApproachThe field study approach of qualitative and quantitative research will be used at different stages in the study to gather data and determine the opportunities and challenges of implementing ERP solution projects in SMBs. Scholars emphasized the value of a field study design in a theory-oriented research. Schwab (2005, p. 85) noted that the field study approach is instrumental in testing theories or models. â€Å"Field studies â€Å"are frequently used to test conceptual models with a number of independent variables† (Schwab, 2005, p. 85). One primary objective of the study is to compare and contrast theories in ERP and its integration to SMB business functions and processes to actual practices and outcomes experienced by performing and receiving organizations. The field study approach will be utilized gain qualitative and quantitative data from independent variables that will consist of participants from performing and receiving organizations. The data obtained from the field study will be tested against theories and models discussed in the Literature Review. The field study approach enables the researcher to understand a phenomenon within the actual context or environment in which it occurs through direct observation or interaction with the target population. The purpose of the field study approach is aligned with the objectives of the research. The lack of existing literature is one reason that prompted the study. Gaining practical data from performing and receiving organizations through the field study approach will validate and evaluate the reliability of existing literature about the process and outcomes of ERP implementation in SMBs. Qualitative data will be obtained by conducting interviews with receiving and performing organizations. The number of participants from receiving and performing organizations will be equally divided. Five participants from receiving organizations (CEOs, CIOs, and IT managers) and five participants from performing organizations (project managers or ERP solutions integrators) will be selected as the sample population based on the availability of the participants. The formal interviews will be guided by specific themes that are aligned with the objectives of the study to address research questions. The formal interview with participants from performing organizations, including ERP solutions integrators or project managers will focus on three key areas: project controlling, project monitoring, and risk management. The interview questions will be designed to draw the practices or strategies implemented by the participants in order to control or monitor ERP projects in SMBs and techniques in risk management to prevent or address potential risks accordingly. The perceived outcomes of project managers and ERP solutions integrators will also be determined and evaluated based on the actual outcomes of ERP projects in SMBs. The quantitative data will also be obtained from performing organizations. The success of project planning, management and implementation of ERP project integrators may be determined by evaluating the various areas in ERP implementation. The project plans that were completed will be the primary source for quantitative data. The project plans and the actual outcomes of implementation will be evaluated to determine how successful ERP integrators were in accomplishing project plans for client SMBs. Information from receiving organizations will also be instrumental in validating the success of ERP project solutions and in determining the opportunities and challenges that commonly occur during the implementation process. The formal interviews with participants from the receiving organizations will focus on four areas: change management opportunities upon implementation of ERP projects, the challenges that arise during ERP implementation, the quality of the implemented solution or its alignment to the goals of the receiving organization, and the satisfaction of the receiving organization throughout the project life span. The responses from the receiving organizations will determine whether ERP project solutions implemented by performing organizations opened up opportunities for growth and development in the former and identify accompanying challenges in ERP implementation that other SMBs should be prepared for when adopting ERP in business operations. The primary data will be obtained through the field study approach. The secondary data that will primarily be used in writing the Literature Review will be obtained from the Body of Knowledge PMI, Prince2 Body of Knowledge, and professional journal works. The various theories and models in ERP implementation and how the process is integrated to SMB business practices will be the focus of research to obtained secondary data. The PMI and Prince2 will serve as the basis or standard of evaluating the efficiency and success of ERP project plans implemented in receiving organizations.

Segmentation Concept Essays -- Marketing

Efficient marketing strategy is rarely aimed at a large group of customers like all women, all schoolteachers or all beer drinkers, as any of the similar large groups are rather heterogeneous and may vary by age, income, needs, habits and lifestyle (McIntosh, Matthews, Mullineux, & Medland, 2010). As it is also impossible to reach each customer requirement or expectations, some distinct groups of consumers who will respond to a certain marketing mix in the same or similar way – segments – are to be identified. Segmentation is a process and result of differentiation of the consumers’ population to certain groups by number of geographic, demographic, age, economic, social and other characteristics in respect of a particular product (Sarvary, & Elberse, 2005). Global marketing introduces a better segmentation practice than just the borders between the countries. By effective application, segmentation provides global marketers with the opportunity to benefit from global standardization (like, economies of scale and positioning consistency) and at the same time meet the expectations and demand of the target group. This approach allows assessing the markets on a global or regional scale, overcoming limitations of the political boundaries that are usually used to define the market. After identifying the market segments it is necessary to assess their attractiveness by considering segment capacity, accessibility, prospective, profitability, competitiveness, compliance to company’s corporate strategy, objectives and culture, etc. Targeting is another essential tool of effective marketing strategy as it is a choice of the segment which best fits the parameters of potential customer of the product and further orientation at this segment b... ...362/146934709X467794 Tamames, R. (2000). World Economic and Environmental Order. United Nations, UNESCO, Eolss forerunner volume. Retrieved on March 27 from http://www.eumed.net/cursecon/textos/Tamames-Env_Order.pdf Walker, C. (2010). GenWorld The New Generation of Global Youth. Retrieved from Energy BBDO on March 27. http://www.energybbdo.com/uploads/GenWorld%20Overview.pdf Westjohn, S., Singh, N., & Magnusson, P. (2012). Responsiveness to Global and Local Consumer Culture Positioning: A Personality and Collective Identity Perspective. Journal Of International Marketing, 20(1), 58-73. Retrieved on March 27. doi:10.1509/jim.10.0154 http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=72034120&site=ehost-live Yankelovich, D., & Meer, D. (2006). Rediscovering Market Segmentation. Harvard Business Review, 84(2), 122-131. SMC Learning Resources.

Penn Foster – Why I Am the Best Candidate for the Job

Best candidate for the Job The Computer Help Desk Support Technician position at University of the West Indies correlates well with my skills and experience. The skills related for this job includes, assisting students, faculty, staff and any other customers who come to the front desk, dealing with computer issues, answering the telephone to give support with enquiries, and data entry using Microsoft Word, and Excel.I have significant knowledge of this field through my previous employment at T. A. Marryshow Community College, where I served as a Secretary within the Information Technology department. I acknowledged this vocation through my ability to troubleshoot problems and deal with customer issues. More specifically, I had a scenario with a visiting professor from a foreign country who came to the office for help with his laptop.Being new to the campus he was furious with the ups and downs of trying to find his way around and baffled because he had no idea of how to connect his l aptop to the internet. I seated the professor and assured him that he was at the right place. After a few minutes I was able to connect his device to the internet and I also handed him a map of the campus to help him get to different places on the campus easily. He was overly pleased with the customer service he received and the efficiency in which I handled his laptop.This occurrence has boosted my self-confidence and also motivated me to seek an advanced degree along that path. I enrolled at Penn Foster Career School program, where I recently completed a diploma in Computer Support Technician. This thorough training helped me to comprehensively understand the skills that are readily applicable to the position. With the acquisition of this knowledge I can guarantee you that am most competent for this position and that all concerned will mutually benefit.

Corporate Social Responsibility - 1756 Words

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the corporate event sector can be for everyone operating in this sector a basis for innovations, opportunities and competitive advantages with regard to social, environmental and economic aspects. This essay deals with the question what CSR is and how it influences the corporate event industry in the UK, as well as with the strategies companies have to do to generate a sustainable company structure and how they can advise their workforce to improve responsibility. Furthermore, the right communication of a CSR company structure is an essential aspect and how it has negative or positive effects on the people. The Global aspect of CSR is also interesting with regard to the corporate event industry and†¦show more content†¦After three years, the Apex Hotel in Edinburgh will almost generate the  £85,000 that they invested in their new heating system. Guy Bigwood, the sustainability director of MCI Group, said in an interview with the Con ference and Incentive Travel Magazine that he does not believe in the reduction of cost by using sustainable strategies but that he thinks that the quality and the appeal of corporate events will increase by the use of CSR. (Ledger, 2013) However, Roger Simons, MCI Groups sustainability manager said â€Å"recycle, reuse and reduce† definitely delivers savings for companies (Ledger, 2013). Another example of the Holiday Inn One King in Toronto shows that the cost reduction by implementing CSR structures is possible and realistic. The Holiday Inn One King in Toronto noted a saving of Canadian $14,852, about  £8810, annually by â€Å"the installation of low flow showerheads and faucet aerators†. A third and emphasizing example provides the International AIDS Society (IAS). In 2008, IAS hosted their first totally environmental and socially responsible AIDS conference which was based on a CSR plan (IAS, n.d.). They set the objective to include the CSR structure to their w hole business and saved by doing so  £500,000 through their environmental programme (Ledger, 2013). New technologies, such as video conferencing systems can reduce the carbon emissions in the UKShow MoreRelatedCorporate Social Responsibility : Corporate Responsibility773 Words   |  4 PagesCorporate social responsibility may also be referred to as corporate citizenship and can involve spending finances that do not directly benefit the company but rather advocate positive social and environmental change. The soul in the next economy forum presentation made it evident that achieving corporate social responsibly in a company can reap major benefits in terms of finances, more inspiring workplace and customer satisfaction. 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