ERP Simulation Effects on Knowledge and Attitudes of Experienced Users

ABSTRACT

Best-in-class organizations recognize that knowledge management provides a competitive advantage. Opportunities to share knowledge enhance knowledge sharing attitudes. Organizations use training to facilitate knowledge and acclimate novice employees to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Most ERP functional training leverages explicit codified knowledge. Without collaborative opportunities between departments, allowing users to interact and exchange internalized knowledge and skills, information remains untapped. Prior research explored the impact of ERPsim on knowledge, skills, and attitudes, but failed to model construct relationships. This work assesses if a business simulation can be used to mimic Social Cognition Theory and enhance knowledge and attitude among experienced employees. Paired sample T-tests confirmed significant differences in means across constructs. Additionally, PLS Path Modeling investigated and confirmed a relationship between knowledge and skills constructs with attitude. Findings suggest ERPsim might be beneficial to diffuse knowledge and skills among experienced users in the workplace, while positively influencing attitudes.

KEYWORDS:

• ERP simulation
• enterprise training
• knowledge management
• situated cognition theory
• socialization