Does ERP Hands-On Experience Help Students Learning Business Process Concepts?

Over the past decade, more and more business schools are attempting to teach business processes (BPs) by using enterprise resource planning (ERP) software in their curricula. Currently, most studies involving ERP software in the academy have concentrated on learning and teaching via self-assessment surveys or curriculum integration. This research extended previous studies by attempting to measure student knowledge acquisition of BP concepts (BPC) about two common BP cycles through hands-on exercises using ERP software. Assessments of students’ knowledge about BP were conducted at multiple time points during the study. In addition, a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)-based survey was employed to analyze student self-assessment about improved understanding of BPs though ERP hands-on exercises. Results from our empirical study indicated that there is no clear evidence that students’ knowledge about BPs significantly improved after experiencing ERP software. However, students’ self-assessment showed that there is a positive relationship between their comprehension of BPs and hands-on experience with ERP software. Our research findings concurred with previous research, and studies undertaken in other disciplines.