Research Project
Human-Centered Design of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
Research Goal
- Develop a model to measure human-centeredness of ERP systems like
SAP and Oracle Financials.
- Based on the measurement model conduct survey of SAP users and undertake
statistical analysis of the results.
- Propose and test a framework and architecture for human-centered design
of ERP systems.
Acknowledgements
The project is being done in collaboration with SAP users in La Trobe
University.
Problem Space
The conceptualization of a problem domain in the existing accounting information
systems is largely product-centred rather than user (accountant)-centred.
Accounting software products like SAP and Oracle Financials which are
efficiency and cost driven, are mass produced. They are designed and developed
in isolation from other system components like accountants and organisational,
information and existing technologies and existing business process and
organisational culture. In the process of adoption of these software products
a lot emphasis is placed on training and changing users perceptions of
accounting in line with the mass produced products. As a result deployment
of these systems can lead to a ‘guru’ culture, malpractice,
inadequate checks and balances and job dissatisfaction.
Publications
[1] R. Khosla and P. Usmanij., "Pragmatic Considerations for Human-Centeredness,"
in 6th International Conference on Knowledge-Based Intelligent Information
Engineering Systems and Allied Technologies, pp. 791-795, Crema, Italy,
September 2002
[2] R. Khosla, E. Damiani and W. Grosky, Human-Centered e-Business, Kluwer
Academic Publishers, MA, USA, 315 pages, April 2003.
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