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The Role of Scanning, Evaluation, and Mindfulness in the Assimilation of Information Technology: The Case of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems

Mu, Enrique (2007) The Role of Scanning, Evaluation, and Mindfulness in the Assimilation of Information Technology: The Case of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERPs) are commercial software packages that enable integration of information and business processes throughout the organization. Realizing the business value of information technology (IT) requires its successful assimilation by the firm. ERP assimilation refers to the effective application of this type of IT in supporting a firm's business strategies and value-chain activities. To succeed at this, the IS function must continuously manage the adaptation between the organization and the ERP system, even after initial deployment. For this purpose, the IS function must continuously scan both the firm's internal and external environment to identify new ERP adaptation opportunities that will allow the effective application of new ERP technologies to support the firm's objectives. Also, it is important for the IS function to engage in evaluation activities to analyze and select those ERP adaptation opportunities with the greatest potential for impact on ERP assimilation. It is posited here that ERP scanning will have a direct positive effect on the firm's level of ERP assimilation, and that this effect will be moderated by the extent of ERP evaluation activities. IS mindfulness, the degree of collective mindfulness present in the IS function, is also posited to moderate the relationship between ERP scanning and ERP assimilation. Collective mindfulness is an elevated state of alertness toward expectations, in the face of new and unprecedented situations or changes, with a nuanced appreciation of the specific context. IS mindfulness makes more likely the identification and realization of unexpected ERP adaptation opportunities leading to a higher level of ERP assimilation for the firm. A model is proposed to describe the relations among IS mindfulness, ERP scanning, ERP evaluation, and ERP assimilation. This model has been tested by collecting survey data from 113 firms. The results suggest that first, collective mindfulness is a construct with two dimensions: alertness/attention, a state of vigilant alertness, and change/situation, an awareness or knowledge of an unprecedented situation or change in the firm's environment; second, scanning of the internal environment (scanning of needs) has a main effect on ERP assimilation, and this effect is moderated by the presence of IS mindfulness ("alertness" dimension), as predicted by the model; and third, ERP evaluation has rather a direct effect on ERP assimilation and does not moderate the scanning-assimilation relationship as expected.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Mu, Enriqueenmu@katz.pitt.eduENRIQUEM
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee CoChairButler, Brian Sbbutler@katz.pitt.edu
Committee CoChairKirsch, Laurielkirsch@katz.pitt.eduLKIRSCH
Committee MemberPrescott, John Eprescott@katz.pitt.eduPRESCOTT
Committee MemberHulland, Johnjsh49@pitt.eduJSH49
Committee MemberMoreland, Richard Lcslewis@pitt.eduCSLEWIS
Date: 17 May 2007
Date Type: Completion
Defense Date: 26 January 2007
Approval Date: 17 May 2007
Submission Date: 4 April 2007
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business > Business Administration
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Collective Mindfulness; ERP Assimilation; ERP Evaluation; ERP Scanning; IS Mindfulness; IT Assimilation; IT Evaluation; IT Scanning
Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-04042007-122530/, etd-04042007-122530
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 19:34
Last Modified: 19 Dec 2016 14:35
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/6732

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