Pierre-Majorique Léger

Business Simulation Training in Information Technology Education: Guidelines for New Approaches in IT Training.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are commercial software packages that enable the integration of transactions-oriented data and business processes throughout an organization. Most of the world’s largest organizations have already adopted an ERP system, and many mid-size or-ganizations are turning to them as well. The implementation of an ERP system presents some ma-jor training challenges. Organizations devote significant portions of their implementation budgets to training and organizational change management interventions. Industry experts recommend that up to 20% of an implementation budget be devoted to adequately preparing managers and users. Studies also show a low return on investment for this type of training as it makes it difficult for knowledge workers to teach how to transfer what is learned in training to real-life jobs. Inade-quate and ineffective training has the potential to seriously limit value realization. In that context, this paper presents ERPsim, a business simulation training approach developed at HEC Montreal in which the only interface between participants and the game is a real-life enterprise system (SAP). ERPsim recreates a realistic business environment that allows learners to develop IT com-petencies and skills in a setting that reflects the true complexity of the business world. This simu-lation approach is now used in over 100 universities and a dozen Fortune 1000 organizations. Yet, our experience shows that trainers need to approach simulation game training with a differ-ent attitude. This paper addresses the challenges faced by IT trainers in adapt-ing to this innovative training approach. Based on our many training experiences, this paper provides instructors with guidelines to create a learning environ-

The early explanatory power of NDVI in crop yield modelling

The objective of this paper is to study, on a weekly basis, the explanatory power of one satellite‐based measurement, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), for wheat yield modelling in 40 census agricultural regions (CAR) in the Canadian Prairies during the whole growing season using 16 years of NOAA AVHRR satellite data (between 1987 and 2002). We also explore the relative value of NDVI compared with a land‐based measurement, the Cumulative Moisture Index (CMI). By developing a series of weekly wheat yield models over the course of the growing season, we are able to determine the accuracy of different models. Our findings indicate that NDVI possesses explanatory power 4 weeks earlier in the season than CMI.

Comparing Objective Measures and Perceptions of Cognitive Learning in an ERP Simulation Game: A Research Note

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have had a significant impact on business organizations. These large systems offer opportunities for companies regarding the integration and functionality of information technology systems; in effect, companies can realize a competitive advantage that is necessary in today’s global companies. However, effective training for the incorporation and use of these large-scale systems is difficult and challenging; improved strategies for effective training include the use of business simulations. The question of the effectiveness of training remains—“How do we measure learning?”. In a recent Simulation & Gaming article “Business Simulations and Cognitive Learning”, Anderson and Lawton (2009) focus on research associated with the assessment of cognitive learning in business simulations. They indicate that little progress has occurred in objectively assessing cognitive learning in simulations and call for research that might help determine whether simulations accomplish what they purport to achieve in terms of participant learning. In this research note, objective measures of learning are presented. The results of objective measures of learning are compared with those of self-assessed perceptions of learning in the context of an ERP business simulation game. Based on the comparisons of learning measures, self-assessed measure results were not different from those of objective measures; moreover, learning did occur.

Safeguarding mechanisms in a supply chain network

Purpose – Building on the transaction cost theory and power structure literature, this paper aims to investigate the extent to which firms use two safeguarding mechanisms (supply chain relational investments and electronic collaboration) in different network dependency contexts in order to protect their portfolios of business relationships.Design/methodology/approach – Empirical evidence is gathered though a survey data conducted with 159 firms in the wireless communication sector. The paper tests the assumption that the two safeguarding mechanisms are used to a greater extent in interdependency‐intensive networks than in other supply chain contexts.Findings – This empirical study suggests that: in a network‐dependent context, relational investments allow firms to safeguard their portfolios of relationships; electronic collaboration seems to be a safeguarding mechanism for firms in downstream‐dependent network contexts; in general, firms appear to use both relational investments and electronic collaborati...

E-collaboration within one supply chain and its impact on firms’ innovativeness and performance

The central premise of this paper is that e-collaboration plays a major role in achieving a sustainable competitive edge. In particular, we propose to examine the relative efficiency of electronic collaboration tools and to assess their impacts on the innovativeness and performance of individual firms positioned along a single supply chain. Empirical data from both the upstream and downstream perspectives for firms positioned at different points of one supply chain suggest that e-collaboration and its impacts create a one-sided benefit for the upstream side of the chain: the overall efficiency of e-collaboration tools is higher and the impacts of e-collaboration are more beneficial when used with suppliers than when used with customers. The results also point to a stage model for implementing collaboration tools in a supply chain: efficiency is higher for e-collaboration tools that support strongly that collaboration tools can have significant impacts on the supply chain and that these tools need to be implemented progressively, both upstream and downstream, thereby yielding different and, most probably, cumulative benefits over time.

Emotions and ERP information sourcing: the moderating role of expertise

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on a laboratory experiment in which the paper investigated how expert and novice users differ in their emotional responses during use of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system in a decision-making context, and how such a difference affects information sourcing behavior. Design/methodology/approach – In a simulated SAP business environment, participants’ emotional responses were physiologically measured based on electrodermal activity (EDA) while they made business decisions. Findings – Results show that both expert and novice users exhibit considerable EDA activity during their interaction with the ERP system, indicating that ERP use is an emotional process for both groups. However, the findings also indicate that experts’ emotional responses led to their sourcing information from the ERP, while novices’ emotional responses led to their sourcing information from other people. Research limitations/implications – From an academic standpoint, this paper ...

Measure for Measure: A two study multi-trait multi-method investigation of construct validity in IS research

Given the importance and criticality of instrument validation in IS research, the main objective of this study is to provide a systematic assessment of IS construct validity via multi-trait multi-method (MTMM) matrix. To do so, the paper uses structurally different methods - neurophysiological and self-reported instruments - to measure three important and commonly used IS constructs: engagement, arousal and cognitive load in two different experimental settings. The experiments involved seventeen (17) and twenty-four (24) participants respectively and consisted in using different IS to execute a set of both instrumental and hedonic tasks. The results generally support MTMM matrix expectations and shed light on the complexity of detecting the nature of mono-method bias. Specifically, the results show that primitive perceptual IS constructs such as arousal seem to be less affected by mono-method bias, whereas more complex perceptual constructs such as engagement or cognitive load have higher within method correlations. There are two complementary explanations for the within method correlations: (a) a combination between complexity of trait and method and (b) method effects that are congeneric.

Authentic OM problem solving in an ERP context

Purpose – It is argued that problem‐based learning (PBL) is a valuable approach to teaching operations management, as it allows learners to apply their knowledge and skills in an environment that is close to real‐life. In fact, many simulations currently exist in the teaching of operations management. However, these simulations lack a connection to real‐life, as they are typically turn‐based and do not use real‐life IT support. The current paper seeks to address this issue by presenting an innovative pedagogical approach designed to provide learners with an authentic problem‐solving experience in operations management within an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.Design/methodology/approach – The paper proposes a simulation game called ERPsim whereby students must operate an enterprise in a simulated economic environment using in real time a real‐life ERP system, namely SAP. Based on a survey with instructors, it assesses the extent to which this proposed simulation is aligned with the five characte...

Differentiating weak ties and strong ties among external sources of influences for enterprise resource planning (ERP) adoption

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems represent a major IT adoption decision. ERP adoption decisions, in the chemicals and allied products sectors, were examined between 1994 and 2005. Networks of strong ties and weak ties partners are investigated. Results show that neighbouring companies linked with strong ties can have an influence on organisations making such adoption decision. Past decisions made by major trading partners have a significant influence on the decision to adopt an ERP system for a given organisation. This reflects the complex nature of the knowledge required for such adoption.

Electronic commerce and supply chain integration: the case of the telecommunication equipment industry

Purpose – This paper presents an analysis of the impact of electronic commerce on firms in the telecommunications equipment industry.Design/methodology/approach – Using the OECDs value chain methodology, electronic commerce initiatives identified in the optical connectivity value chain were analyzed for each of the four layers of the chain, namely network operators, system integrators, assemblers and sub‐assemblers.Findings – The findings from our case studies indicate that electronic commerce initiatives primarily influence process and relational innovations through supply chain collaboration. The real benefits of electronic commerce come from end‐to‐end visibility in the supply chain, and from the implementation of demand‐pull strategies for all levels of the optical connectivity equipment value chain.Research limitations/implications – Future research should concentrate on the impact of various emerging electronic marketplaces in demand‐driven integrated supply chains.Originality/value – Results revea...