Analysis of Student Viewpoints of an ERP Integrated Course

August 8, 2012

Dr. Yunus KISHALI, Kocaeli University Dr. Hari SHARMA, Virginia State University Mr. Rakesh GUPTA, DBA Student, Walden University

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Table of Contents•Background•Introduction•Literature Review•Research Questions•Sample Data•Research Methodology•Data Analysis and Findings•Conclusion

Background

Kocaeli University ERP Laboratory and Sponsors

• ERP Laboratory

• ERP Laboratory Issues

• Students and Faculty Experiences 3

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IntroductionThe goals and objectives of this research study are as follows:• To examine issues related to ERP integrated accounting

courses • To assess impact of the course on student KSAs• To determine the significance of opinions of the course

based on student gender• To determine the significance of opinions of the course

based on course session• To evaluate student opinions to enhance future delivery of

the course/curriculum• To provide future directions of research in designing and

developing ERP system integrated courses

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Literature Review

1. ERP Integration in Accounting and Finance Reporting• Brazel and Dang (2005)• Spraakman (2005)• Aernoudts, Van Der Boom, Pijl, and Vosselman (2005)• Hurbean and Fotache (2010)

2. ERP Integration in Accounting and Finance Curriculum• Silva, De Silva, and Gunawardana (2011) • Guthrie and Guthrie (2000) • Lorenzo and Pinero (2001)• Hayen, Vetter, and Huang (2007)

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Research Questions

Research questions addressed:• What were the students’ opinions before taking an ERP

integrated course?• What were the students’ opinions after taking an ERP

integrated course?• Do the perceptions of an ERP integrated course

significantly differ based on student gender?• Do the perceptions of an ERP integrated course

significantly differ based on course session?• What were students’ suggestions of an ERP integrated

accounting course?

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Sample Data

Survey Questionnaire sections:• 10 questions before students attended ERP course• 17 questions after students attended ERP course• 4 questions for student suggestions

Distribution of Students by Gender and Course SessionsSession\Gender Women Men TotalDay 11 14 25Evening 17 20 37Total 28 34 62

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Research Methodology (Continued)Mann-Whitney U Test• Based on Likert scale scores

• 1 – Completely disagree• 2 – Disagree• 3 – Neutral/No Opinion• 4 – Agree• 5 – Completely Agree

Distribution of Evaluation IntervalsMean Score Description

1.00-1.80 Completely agree

1.81-2.60 Agree

2.61-3.40 Neutral/ No opinion

3.41-4.20 Disagree

4.20-5.00 Completely disagree

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Data Analysis and Findings

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Data Analysis and Findings (continued)

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Data Analysis and Findings (Continued)

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Data Analysis and Findings (Continued)

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Data Analysis and Findings (Continued)

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Data Analysis and Findings (Continued)

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Data Analysis and Findings (Continued)Student Responses Based on Gender

Mann-Whitney U Test Results by GenderGroup Number Group Average Group Total U p

Female 28 29.27 819.50413.50 0.38Male 34 33.34 1133.50

Student Responses Based on Course SessionMann-Whitney U Test Results by Course Session

Group Number Group Average Group Total U p

Day 28 33.98 849.50400.50 0.37Evening 34 29.82 1103.50

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ConclusionThe research study highlights the students opinions of an ERP integrated accounting course as follows:• Key benefits from the ERP course, such as improved KSAs and

better job prospects using ERP Laboratory• Higher confidence level about learning, proficiencies, and

further interest in advanced ERP features• Positive impact on the performance of a company• Interest in an ERP related internship• Improvement of course contents and future delivery• Individualized computers enhanced learning of the ERP

software• Increased course hours needed to improve the comprehension

of the courseFinally, the study found insignificant differences based on student gender and course session from Mann-Whitney U Test.

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1. I have knowledge of ERP software.2. I have no experience with ERP software.3. I think that ERP software is for accounting purposes only.4. I have observed the use of ERP software for accounting purposes only.5. I have used ERP software solely for accounting purposes.6. I believe that the business faculty offers an ERP Lab integrated course.7. I learned about an ERP Lab integrated course from a friend.

8.I learned about an ERP Lab integrated course from a sign posted at the lab.

9.I learned about an ERP Lab integrated course from the discussion in other courses.

10.I am planning to work in a company that uses ERP software after completing this course.

Survey Questions Before Taking the ERP Course

Appendix

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11. The ERP integrated course met my expectations about learning ERP software.

12. I have prior working knowledge of similar ERP software.

13. I was able to learn ERP software quickly.

14. The knowledge of a programming language is essential to be an expert in using ERP software.

15. I think that the knowledge of a hardware system is essential to be an expert in using ERP software.

16. I am aware that other departments beyond business administration and economics are using ERP software.

17. I know that most of the processes in an ERP system execute automatically.

18. I agree that the use of ERP software would have a positive impact on the performance of a company.

19. I am interested in learning the advanced features of ERP software.

20. I am interested in an internship position using ERP software within a company.

21. ERP software, Dynamix AX, was easy to understand using the ERP Lab.

22. The assignment of a specific computer to each student facilitated enhanced ERP Software learning.

23. I believe that my feedback about the ERP integrated course will improve the contents and future delivery of this course.

24. This course had adequate time allocated to comprehend the course material.

25. I am satisfied with the learning level of this course.

26. I believe that my overall proficiencies are better than those who did not enroll in this course.

27. I am confident of finding an ERP related job after completing this course.

Survey Questions After Taking the ERP Course

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28. I need to learn a programming language for developing standard ERP software.

29. It would be beneficial to take the ERP software integrated course with examples of comprehensive data of a company.

30.It would be useful to apply the knowledge gained from studying the ERP software integrated course to a representative business.

31. It would be helpful to comprehend the ERP software with increased course hours.

Survey Questions Seeking Suggestions

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Thank You !!!

Contacts: Yunus Kishali, email: ykishali@kocaeli.edu.trHari Sharma, email: hsharma@vsu.eduRakesh Gupta, email: rakesh.gupta@waldenu.edu