Jiwat Ram

Bio: Jiwat Ram is an academic researcher from University of South Australia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Critical success factor & Enterprise resource planning. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 20 publications receiving 705 citations. Previous affiliations of Jiwat Ram include University of Adelaide & Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.

Competitive advantage from erp projects: examining the role of key implementation drivers

Abstract: In this study, we build a conceptual model, which draws upon information systems implementation theory , to investigate the relationship between critical success factors related to the implementation of ERP software and the goal of competitive advantage. We test this model with data from a survey of 217 Australian organisations, using structural equation modelling (SEM). We find that organisations can best achieve competitive advantage by carefully managing: a) training and education, and b) system integration activities. Perhaps unexpectedly, neither well-conducted business process re-engineering nor good project management necessarily lead to competitive advantage. We have extended prior knowledge by providing empirical evidence that some CSFs do influence competitive advantage but that others may not. The results confirm that overall project delivery outcomes can be improved by understanding the influence of factors on both project management performance and post-implementation performance. Some theoretical and managerial consequences of the study's findings and limitations are discussed.

How “critical” are the critical success factors (CSFs)?: Examining the role of CSFs for ERP

Abstract: Purpose – The authors aim to examine the literature on enterprise resource planning (ERP) to establish whether the critical success factors (CSFs) for achieving stages of an ERP project have been empirically shown to be “critical”. Design/methodology/approach – The authors used a systematic approach to review 627 refereed papers published between 1998 and 2010 on ERP, from which 236 papers related to CSFs on ERP were selected for analysis. The authors employed procedures from qualitative and interpretive research methods, to analyse and interpret the material using five-step procedure of gathering, categorising, coding, analysing and comparing the data. Findings – Prior studies have identified a large number of CSFs for ERP implementation success or improved performance outcomes. The authors have shown that a limited number of CSFs have been empirically investigated for their role in, and effect on, implementation success or post-implementation performance outcomes. While reporting the factors that have s...

ERP adoption and the value creation

Abstract: There has been considerable debate about the role of enterprise resource planning (ERP) in driving competitive advantage. However, little is established empirically on the antecedent factors that could facilitate achievement of such an advantage of adopting ERP. Therefore, this study examines the role of antecedent factors in the organisational adoption of ERP projects for the achievement of competitive advantage. We draw on information system success and information system implementation theories to build a conceptual model to examine the role of antecedent factors in influencing the achievement of competitive advantage. We use the structural equation modelling (SEM) technique to analyse the survey data of 217 Australian companies and test the model. We find that organisations that understand the importance of certain antecedent factors and manage them appropriately can achieve competitive advantage with ERP projects. These factors include consideration of the system quality and organisational readiness at the planning stage for an ERP project.We have extended knowledge on the role of antecedent factors to successful organisational adoption of ERP by providing evidence that they are also significant predictors for the achievement of competitive advantage. Our study's findings indicate that establishing a clear understanding of necessary system attributes in the organisational context at the adoption stage of ERP is important for helping organisations achieve subsequent competitive advantage. Their understanding of potential system quality attributes, the business environment within which their organisation may operate, the internal organisational capabilities and desired strategic benefits, can help managers and ERP system developers implement strategies, leadership, resources, and commitment to achieve their desired benefits from ERP projects.

Assessing common method bias: problems with the ULMC technique

Abstract: Recent work, in journals such as MIS Quarterly and Management Science, has highlighted the importance of evaluating the influence of common method bias (CMB) on the results of statistical analysis. In this research note, we assess the utility of the unmeasured latent method construct (ULMC) approach in partial least squares (PLS), introduced by Liang et al. (2007). Such an assessment of the ULMC approach is important, because it has been employed in 76 studies since it appeared in MIS Quarterly in early 2007. Using data generated via Monte Carlo simulations, we use PLS structural equation modeling (SEM) to demonstrate that the ULMC approach of Liang et al. is neither able to detect, nor control for, common method bias. Method estimates using this approach resulted in negligible estimates, regardless of whether there were some, large, or no method bias introduced in the simulated data. Our study contributes to the IS and research methods literature by illustrating that, and explaining why the ULMC approach does not accurately detect common method bias in PLS. Further, our results build on prior work done using covariance-based SEM questioning the usefulness of the ULMC technique for detecting CMB.

Modelling quality dynamics, business value and firm performance in a big data analytics environment

Abstract: Big data analytics have become an increasingly important component for firms across advanced economies. This paper examines the quality dynamics in big data environment that are linked with enhancing business value and firm performance (FPER). The study identifies that system quality (i.e. system reliability, accessibility, adaptability, integration, response time and privacy) and information quality (i.e. completeness, accuracy, format and currency) are key to enhance business value and FPER in a big data environment. The study also proposes that the relationship between quality and FPER is mediated by business value of big data. Drawing on the resource-based theory and the information systems success literature, this study extends knowledge in this domain by linking system quality, information quality, business value and FPER.