CCE Theses and Dissertations
Successful Implementation of Decision Support Systems for Supply Chain Management within Manufacturing Companies
Date of Award
2005
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences
Advisor
Sumitra Mukherjee
Committee Member
William L. Hafner
Committee Member
Maxine S. Cohen
Abstract
Decision Support Systems (DSS) development and implementation is a challenge that most manufacturing companies find difficult. However, implementing these complex systems is becoming more of a necessity to stay competitive in today's global economy. This paper reports on an in-depth empirical study of development/Implementation strategies commonly used in DSS and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems projects to promote success. The goal of the research was to determine which strategies promote success on DSS projects designed to enable supply chain management (SCM).
Through a survey of 80 industry professionals, the Study establishes that there are strategies that should be utilized based on system type. DSS users must have strong analytical skills. They must be able to analyze, interpret, and act on complex data. These analytical skills were found to be significantly more important for DSS users to have than ERP users (p < 0.05). Intelligent SCM systems must include "what if' functionality and allow users to evaluate multiple business scenarios before acting. The "small releases" systems development methodology (i.e., phased approach to implementing business functionality was found to be more appropriate for DSS than ERP projects (p < 0.05).
Many strategies, which are traditionally considered administrative in nature, were found to be more important for ERP systems projects (p< 0.05). Utilizing cross-functional project teams, ensuring user participation, securing top-management support, and providing extensive user training were all found to be significantly more important for ERP (p
NSUWorks Citation
Robert K. Joyce. 2005. Successful Implementation of Decision Support Systems for Supply Chain Management within Manufacturing Companies. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences. (619)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_etd/619.