Enhancing Student Learning of Enterprise Integration by Deploying SAP R/3 into Curriculum (Track 1, Session 15)
Author(s) :
Ravi Seethamraju (The University of Sydney, Australia)
Abstract : Several reviews of higher education in the past have been pointing out the lack of a multidisciplinary view of business graduates. Cross-functional perspectives, business process orientation and integrated view of business in business curriculum are strongly recommended. Stimulated and led by the employer groups these employability skills, if effectively incorporated into the university business schools curricula are expected to strengthen the links between education and work. In the past pedagogical strategies such as integrated case study, team teaching, capstone group projects and simulation games were used to teach multidisciplinary perspective to business students. The effectiveness of these strategies, however, were not empirically measured and not known widely. Achieving an integrated view of business is an ongoing process. Apart from helping the business graduates to function effectively in a work environment later on, pedagogically this cross-disciplinary perspective is also expected to encourage students� deep learning and better understanding of intersections and interactions of the traditional disciplines such as marketing, operations, accounting and human resources. Though the ability of enterprise systems (ES) software solutions in teaching concepts of cross-functional enterprise integration and process orientation are well recognised and discussed in the academic literature, many business schools/faculties, for different reasons, are slow in incorporating these latest software products in their curricula. This paper reports on one curriculum development project that extended the deployment of SAP R/3 into the business curriculum for enhancing students learning of enterprise integration. Employing questionnaire survey and self-assessment of the knowledge and skills gained in the course, the effectiveness of the curriculum design and delivery are reported in this paper. The objective of extending the deployment of SAP R/3 into one human resource management subject is to develop an understanding of the concepts of business processes, integration, and inter-dependencies and to impart a cross-functional perspective. Even though the number of SAP lab sessions are limited to two in this case, the level of knowledge gained in SAP software skills appears to be good. The respondents have reported a significant gain in their understanding of the processes, activities and information flows relevant to human capital management, and in inter-dependencies between human resource function and other functions such as marketing, operations/logistics and accounting. Respondents with no previous experience have reported higher understanding of the theoretical concepts that deal with integration, ERP systems use, inter-dependencies of functions and processes. This study demonstrates the powerful role played by the ERP system in developing business process orientation and cross-functional perspective to business students. Business processes and inter-dependencies of various business functions are some of the areas neglected in the past. While many past curriculum design projects including this attempt generally focused on the business process and information integration concepts, and SAP software skills, emphasis on the use and management of enterprise systems in today�s post-ERP implementation environment is necessary in future.

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