2019/2020 BST825: Enterprise Resource Planning and Management

Assignment
The assignment will contribute 100% of the overall module mark.

Individual Essay

An enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is implemented in an organization to support its cross-
functional business process integration and standardization (Davenport, 1998). As an enterprise-wide
information system, the ERP system provides various functional modules for all departments of the
organization to help achieve their stated departmental objectives, which are established in line with
the organizational objectives.

Part A: Discuss how an ERP system may support the order fulfilment process and debate
whether or not such a system would suit all manufacturing companies. (30%)

Using SAP ERPsim, we have played a manufacturing introduction game in class. During this game,
you have run a business with a real-life ERP system. Each group (with 3-4 students) operates a firm
in a make-to-stock manufacturing supply chain context, and must interact with suppliers and
customers by sending and receiving orders, delivering their products, and completing the whole end-
to-end business cycle. We have conducted three rounds of simulation. In Round 1 you were
introduced to the sales process, in Round 2 the production process, followed by planning and
procurement in Round 3. Through the three rounds of simulation games, your main decision making
responsibilities included sales forecasting, running the MRP, creating purchase orders from purchase
requisitions (planning and procurement); creating production orders from planned orders
(production); pricing and marketing (sales).

Part B: Please reflect on the simulation experience by considering the following (70%);

1) Reflect on the role you have played during the game and the process of decision making in
each round,
2) Discuss how the decisions undertaken have led to your team performance results,
3) Explore the lessons learnt (by linking back with the theoretical concepts covered in this
module), and
4) Debate what a more effective strategy could be for your team and why.

You may use the game results to illustrate your analysis and learning points.

Reference: Davenport, 1998. Putting the enterprise into the enterprise system, Harvard Business
Review, 76 (4), pp. 121-131

General information

The essay should be no more than 3000 words in length (excluding references and
tables/figures). The essay should be properly referenced (using Cardiff University Harvard Style)
i.e. sources should be appropriately acknowledged in the text; providing just a bibliography will be
penalised by the deduction of marks. You are encouraged to research widely, in particular, consult

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academic journals to develop a good understanding of the subject and articulate your discussion with
supporting theories and evidences.

You are advised to attach a front page to the copy of your essay, including your name, student
number, module code and name, lecturer’s name, essay title, submission date and word count. You
are strongly recommended to keep an e-copy for yourself as well. The report should be submitted
digitally via Learning Central by 11.00am on May 15 2020. Please note any late submission will
receive a mark of zero. If extenuating circumstances happen, please follow the appropriate procedure
to apply for extensions. Details are available from the Learning Central or your degree booklet.

Athanasios Gkoltsos

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Marking criteria

Factual Conceptual Analytical Application of Technical Critical Ability Expression of Originality

Knowledge understanding ability knowledge /critical ability (where Ideas
reflection relevant)
90+ Comprehensiv Complete and Highly Comprehensive, Complete Highly Fluent and Considerate
e thoroughly developed coherent, polished mastery of all developed well
assimilated and mature and fluent. techniques structured
70-89 Comprehensiv Complete Highly Very good, but lacks High level of Highly Clear and Some
e developed the fluency or polish technical developed well
of the highest band. competence structured
60-69 Minor gaps Good overall Well Good and shows Sound Generally Clear and Little or none
grasp developed independent thought technical well well
but may have some competence developed structured
omissions. with few gaps
50-59 Minor gaps Fair overall Reasonably Adequate but work is Competent in Superficial Some lack of None
grasp developed predominantly routine only clarity and
descriptive and relies techniques immaturity of
heavily on given only expression
source material.
40-49 Some major Partial grasp Some Limited knowledge, Low level of Poorly Poorly None
gaps evidence of independent, critical technical developed constructed
ability and original thought competence, with some
numerous confusion
errors
30-39 Many major Very little Little or no Lack of knowledge, Very low None Very None
gaps grasp analytical independent, critical level of confused and
ability and original thought technical lacking in
competence, clarity
with many
major errors

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