Chung, S. H., Tang, H.-L., & Ahmad, I. (2011).

Modularity, integration and IT personnel

skills factors in linking ERP to SCM systems. Journal of Technology Management &
Innovation, 6(1), 1-13.

Purpose (What are the objectives for writing the paper?):

Provide a framework for developing and evaluating SCM processes that can serve enterprise
needs in terms of resource management, scalability, implementation costs, and operational
efficiency.

Design / Methodology / Approach (How are the objectives achieved? Include the main
methods used for the research and the approach to the topic.):

The methodology used for this research conforms to Churchill’s model for describing
technological factors in ERP and SCM systems. It involved conducting a thorough literature
review, expanding relevant propositions, and using sample cases from industries to support the
research approach.

Findings/ Conclusions (What was found in the work, and what are the major conclusions)?
This will refer to analysis, discussion, or results.):
The findings of this study have implications for both corporations and software vendors.
Corporations can use the results to improve their supply chains using existing ERP systems. It
provides a framework for developing and evaluating SCM processes, helping with resource
management, scalability, implementation costs, and operational efficiency. Software sellers
can also benefit from understanding the need for extended functionality and openness of ERP
modules to meet the evolving requirements of SCM.

Practical Implications (What outcomes and implications for practice, applications, and
consequences are identified?):

 Both ERP and SCM systems are composed of standard software modules to support
changing business functionalities of firms across their supply chain.
 The SCM system uses the ERP system to integrate external suppliers and customers,
while an ERP system integrates application modules for the firm’s internal
functionalities.
 IT personnel knowledge and skills for the ERP and SCM systems have a positive
influence on business performance on supply chains in organizations.
 The technological factors of modularity, Integration and IT Personnel skills facilitate
the implementation of supply chains using an existing ERP system

Critique (Which parts of the paper do you like? Which parts of the paper do you not like?
Why?):

The part I like in this paper is the description of the “best of breed”, which is an approach that
has both advantages and disadvantages. One positive side, I learned about this method is that it
allows organizations to select the most suitable modules from different vendors, potentially
resulting in a more tailored and efficient system.
Additionally, it enables flexibility in choosing the best solutions for business requirements.

However, there are also challenges with this approach. Integrating modules from different
vendors can be difficult and may require additional effort and resources. It can also lead to
issues with data consistency and compatibility. Eventually, the outcomes of adopting the “best
of breed” approach depend on how well the modules are integrated and managed within the
organization.