تاثیر یک بازی شبیه سازی ERP در یادگیری آنلاین  Impact of an ERP simulation game on online learning

1. Introduction The smooth operation of modern enterprises requires employees to engage in business processes that cut across functional silos. Breakdown in a process can result in lost revenues or fines and lawsuits as illustrated in several recent product defect scandals at various automobile companies (Tabuchi, 2014). In the last twenty years most large organizations have implemented Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to support integrated business processes. Potential benefits of these systems include efficiency and more transparency and compliance with laws and regulations. However, just like the business processes that they are designed to support, ERP systems are highly complex. Consequently, inadequate employee training can prevent the full acceptance of an ERP system or the realization of its major benefits (Monk & Wagner, 2008). In response to the need to train tomorrow’s business professionals to be effective users of ERP systems, many business schools have incorporated ERP software into their curriculum. However, while teaching keystrokes is easy, teaching ERP concepts remains a daunting challenge, even when an integrated software package is used. Because the software is highly complex, most exercises are designed to complete tasks contained in individual modules rather than cross-functional. Students rarely have a chance to “experience” the integration aspect of business processes as a result. To address this deficiency a simulation game using SAP ERP (ERPsim) developed by faculty at HEC Montreal (Leger, 2006
) has been adopted by over 100 universities around the world. In recent years Cronan and colleagues have shown that the ERPsim game is effective in helping students better understand and embrace ERP concepts in traditional face-to-face classes (Cronan & Douglas, 2012, 2013;Cronan, Douglas, Alnuaimi, & Schmidt, 2011). The purpose of this research is to test for the same results in asynchronous online classes.