The impact of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) simulation on experienced employees' self-efficacy
Abstract
Training users on Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERP) throughout the supply chain has become a critical component of achieving operational efficiency. Various instructional methods have been used as training mechanisms. Most ERP training is tailored for novice employees and fosters niche expertise. This research provided experienced users access to a systemic training solution that emphasized departmental inter-dependencies and enterprise thinking. The goal was to understand if ERP self-efficacy was enhanced in the areas of cognition, attitudes, and ERP systems acceptance across companies and to understand if there was a difference based on subjects' initial training or years of SAP experience. Experienced employees from three companies participated in the study with sample sizes from each company ranging from fourteen to twenty-five. Data from fifty three participants was collected and analyzed across all companies. Paired sample t-tests revealed there was a significant difference in experienced employees' knowledge perception after participating in the simulation at an alpha level of .05 in the categories of enterprise knowledge, business process management knowledge, and transactional knowledge. Post-test perceived attitudes were also significantly different at an alpha level of .05 in two of four categories; ease of use and enterprise resource planning. No significant differences were found in the categories associated with the construct of ERP systems acceptance; performance expectancy, effort expectancy, or attitudes toward enterprise systems. Participants responded similarly to the simulation regardless of initial training; functional or on the job training. Both groups experienced a significant difference in knowledge perception after participation in the simulation in all three categories; enterprise knowledge, business process management knowledge, and transactional knowledge. Perceived attitudes were only significantly different in one of the four categories for each group; feelings about ERP (functional training) and ease of use (on the job training). No significant difference was realized in the construct of user acceptance of enterprise systems for either grouping. Paired sample t-tests performed along the dimension of experience level provided evidence that the simulation had the greatest overall impact on knowledge with users having >5 to 10 years' SAP experience. These participants realized a significant impact on knowledge in all three categories compared to two for participants in the other two groups. Furthermore, a significant difference was identified in 3 of the 4 categories for this group in the attitudes construct. Participants experienced no significant difference in the user acceptance of enterprise systems construct in any grouping. These results suggest that for those individuals with >5 to 10 years' SAP experience, the ERP simulation has a greater chance of enhancing user perception and ultimately ERP self-efficacy.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Schmidt, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Business administration|Information Technology
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