MAN130 Management Research Methods Assignment Sample 2023

Introduction

Present report focuses on the analysis of an ERP system requirement in case of managing logistics at Morrisons UK. ERP systems are not a modern trend and have been present in several areas of the country. This report will focus on literal discussions related to ERP systems and its benefits as well along with the method by which this research has been conducted. Brief discussion related to the timeline of this research will also be included along with discussions about the background of Morrisons UK.

Background of the Company

Morrisons UK is among the most popular names present in the country and it is a large supermarket chain in the United Kingdom as well. It has been found out that the company is the 4th largest supermarket chain in the UK and is operated from Bradford, England. As per the reports by Rouhani and Mehri (2018), Morrisons UK was founded by William Morrison in the year 1899 and began as a butler stall in England. First of all the supermarkets were opened in the UK and the company has since then grown to become among the largest players in the domestic market. There are a total of 498 stores of Morrisons in the entire UK and operates with revenue of £17735 million as of 2019. The operating income of the company is even impressive at £465 million in 2019 (Morrisons, 2020). The net income of Morrisons was more than £244 million in 2019. A total of 110000 employees work in the company as well (Guo and Wang, 2019).

Morrisons is fairly consistent with their market share in the London Stock Exchange as the current market share of this company was 10.14% which is 0.86% down when compared to shares in 2015. Major competitors of the company in the UK are Tesco, Sainsbury, Asda and Aldi. Morrisons is even listed among the top 100 companies to be present in the London Stock Exchange (Woo and Lee, 2018).

Aim and Objective of the report

The primary aim of the research is to analyse the potential benefits in order to implement an ERP system which will directly help in the management of logistic operation for Morrisons UK.

The major objectives of this report are:

• To identify the potential benefits of implementing an ERP system in case of managing logistic operations in Morrisons
• To identity and find out measures of improvement in case of ERP system implementation in Morrisons
• To analyse and assess the benefits of implementing an ERP system in Morrisons
• To suggest and recommend specific aspects of implementing an ERP system in Morrisons

Literature Review

Dependent Variable: Importance of ERP Systems in managing Logistic operations

ERP systems in case of logistic management are among the most significant areas of business in which a radical growth has been seen all throughout the years. It has been seen that with the rise of the ecommerce industry, ER systems have largely developed and the demand for those systems has also increased by a good margin. As per the study by Goumas et al. (2018), the implementation of an ERP system allows the controlled and convenient flow of demand and supply chain in the global market. The logistics industry has largely developed in the past few years and most of the credit can be given to the ERP systems. The implementation of ERP systems is a major leap in optimizing and increasing efficiency of the logistic industry which has extraordinarily contributed to the global economy.

There are a huge number of benefits in case of ERP systems in logistic operations management; one of the major areas where the ERP system thrives is in case of distribution as it is majorly responsible for efficient distribution all over. There are several areas of management flow from fulfilment to transportation and the implemented ERP system can critically handle such situations. Based on the study by Badewi and Shehab (2016), the introduction of an ERP system is not only directed towards the delivery process, however, it also acts as an important player in the management of staff.

ERP systems are increasingly responsible for providing maximum data protection which ensures the successful delivery as well.

Independent Variable: Secured access to the vendor portal

One of the most basic advantages that the ERP systems provide is related to getting secured access to the vendor portal in case of management of logistics. With the help of ERP systems, transportation is entirely secured since a company can directly access the vendor portal through it. As per the study by Sumner (2018), ERP software that is installed inside the company’s main server comes with installed software for business operations. This software can directly secure a company’s access into a portal with the help of authentic registration. This even allows a company to securely log in and access account details. Such ERP systems also help a company know the status of their logistics and other details of the vendor and product as well. As stated by Kumar (2018), communication in case of such ERP systems is entirely done with the help of email or secured SMS systems when critically allows a user to receive updates in their perspective profiles of the ERP system.

Independent Variable: Optimization of Stock Visibility and Inventory Control

This is one of the most significant aspects of an ERP system and is also characterised as among the most vital tasks that are used in case of measurement of operation fluency in managing logistics and transportation. As per the study by Elmonem et al. (2016), ERP systems critically help an individual to gain complete control of the inventory system of a company. There are several aspects in which the ERP systems are used in a company. They are related to keeping notes related to current stocks, requests, current deliveries that are already on the route and the entire sales tally of a company. The major benefit of an ERP system is that it is responsible for bringing the entire work inside a single dashboard that significantly allows a business to keep a trace about all the current status of inventory in an organisation.

Independent Variable: Influencing Logistics and transportation

An ERP system is critically responsible for influencing the entire logistical operations of a company by enhancing the transportation medium and leveraging all the management of logistics with essential tools. As per the study by Althunibat et al. (2019), an ERP system is even responsible for delivering the right amount of information in case of outbound and inbounds orders. It even helps in determining the number of items that are represented in the inventory and what and how much items will be required to fill up the stocks. Gaining complete access to such information can directly help a company enhance its business operations by a large margin. According to the study by Folinas et al. (2019), such enhancements in case of management of logistics can even help in gaining the company the right amount of information to make faster and efficient business decisions that will directly reflect the profit margin as well.

Independent Variable: benefiting business intelligence and distribution management

This is among the most significant aspects in case of using an ERP system is the use of a single dashboard that will allow all the information to be read and carefully updated. Most of the acronym, in this case, is related to the suppliers, drivers, distributors and managers who are responsible for keeping track of all the existing outbound and inbound operations. Based on the study by Zimon (2017), this is responsible for making the entire logistical operation of a company more transparent and fluent. This will even increase the business satisfaction level of the shipper and ERP systems can also benefit in tracking the live status of all the orders along with the details of costumes and information related to the distributor. Since related information will be presented in front of the distributor, it will be much easier for the managers and other responsible people to make decisions related to the business.

Independent Variable: Remote Location access to the business

This is among the most underrated aspects of an ERP system and is probably the most useful aspect of an ERP system in case of management of logistics in a company. ERP systems are extremely flexible in nature and are created in order to track and gain information about the transportation industry as well. As per the duty by Degaev et al. (2020), one of the most unique features in case of ERP systems is their ability to remotely locate and access data. It is not always possible for business leaders to locate their products and deliver them all over the world. ERP system critically allows the managers and other people to remotely access their data which will be used in case of tracking and shipping of the product as well. This flexible feature installed in the ERP systems helps the managers to keep in touch with the distributors 24/7.

Theoretical Discussion: Technology acceptance model

Technology acceptance model is among the most popular models related to me operations and its acceptance in an organisation. The TAM is a type of Information systems theory which helps in how a user overcomes the barriers of technology and uses the technology for optimum profit. There are two segments of this model divided based on the behavioural intentions of an end-user. As per the study by Balogh et al. (2020), the behavioural intention in case of this model is divided into two halves, first one is behavioural intention (BI) and another one is influenced by attitude. These are called general impressions of technology.

Perceived usefulness in case of TAM is related to the degree to which one particular individual believes that the current technology can help in the improvement of job performance.

Perceived ease of use in case of TAM is related to the degree which allows an individual to access and analyse about the usability characteristics of this model. It is directly dedicated towards the effort criteria and the users mostly analyse technology based on ease of use criteria.

It can be said in the case of Morrisons that the company should largely focus on trying and using the ERP system to a level where it can prove itself worthy of the logistic operations of the company.

Methodology

Research Philosophy

Positivism philosophy has been used in this study in order to collect information based on the benefits of an ERP system in the management of logistics in Morrisons. As per the study by Durst and Evangelista (2018), positivism philosophy is among the most accurate hobbies since it does not believe in the alteration of information in case of the data. Another aspect of positivism philosophy is that it is not based on assumptions and is entirely based on factual data which can be authentically referenced in a study. Interpretivism philosophy has not been used in this study since it is entirely based on interpretations.

The use of such philosophy would have directly resulted in creating wrong data which would have compromised the integrity of this report. Use of realism philosophy has been avoided in this study since there are several critical approaches towards this philosophy. As stated by Ślaski (2018), use of realism philosophy in case of research studies does not ensure the use of proper accurate data and there is a huge amount of criticism with the realism philosophy as well. Hence, positivism philosophy has been used in this report.

Research Design

Descriptive Research Design has been used in order to collect and explain all the collected information in this study. It has been found out that descriptive research design is among the most critically and accurate methods in case of conduction of such research. In the case of gathering information about the benefits of ERP in managing logistics, a descriptive research design is related to description and observation. As per the study by Gorski (2018), this research design does not allow the researcher to tamper with the collected data and most of the information carries results of individual observations as well. This research design is critically responsible for providing unaltered and filtered information that can be used in case of future research as well. This kind of research design also helps in uninfluenced information tracking which guarantees the authenticity of a research paper.

Exploratory research design has not been used in case of this research since it can compromise the overall integrity and accuracy of the research by providing information that is based on human beliefs. As per the study by Siponenand Tsohou (2018), such information is mostly inaccurate and results in extensive criticism as well. The explanatory research design is also not used in the study since it can be hugely confusing for the researcher and this kind of research is entirely based on observations without the use of accurate data. As cited by Creswell and Poth (2016), this kind of research design is even responsible for generating operational definitions as well. Hence, a descriptive research design has been used in the case of this report.

Research Approach

Deductive Research Approach has been used in this study in order to collect and correctly analyse all the information related to the benefits of an ERP system in case of management of logistics in Morrisons. As per the study by Turner et al. (2017), the deductive research approach is related to the development of hypotheses which can be later tested during the research process. This type of research is extremely helpful in case of information gathering studies as this ensures the accuracy and effectiveness of a research paper as well. The deductive approach can even help the research correct analyse the information collected with the help of research questions that are present. It helps in answering all the research questions and helps the researcher stay aligned with the main topic of the study.

Abductive approach has not been proven to be appropriate for this type of research since it is entirely based on assumptions. As cited by Abdulkadiroğlu et al. (2017), one of the most critical aspects of Abductive research is that it is entirely based on observations and assumptions that can be harmful to the integrity of a research paper. Abductive researches are mostly used in unique research papers where information is scarce and the researcher is allowed to input their assumptions in the research study. Hence, a Deductive research approach has been used in this report.

Data Collection

The data collection of this research has been done with the help of primary methods of data collection. Primary qualitative and primary quantitative data collection methods have been used in this study. A survey has been conducted in order to collect primary quantitative information on members from the logistic department of Morrisons Turner et al. (2017). Interviews have been conducted with the managers of Morrisons in order to gain critical insight into the requirement of an ERP system in the company. All the survey questions were based on the benefit of ERP systems and understanding of the ERP system. Few of the survey questions were directed towards the view of distinct members from the logistics department of the comedy about the usefulness of an ERP system. A total of 10 survey questions were prepared for the questionnaire that was distributed among all the members. A total of 3 questions were asked to the five managers of Morrison regarding the benefit and requirement of an ERP system in the company.

Data Analysis

Data analysis in this report has been done on the answers to all the survey questions and the interview. Primary quantitative analysis has been done on the survey questions with the help of MS excel. Each and every data from the questions has been represented in a graphical form. As per the study by Moser and Korstjens (2018), graphical representation of data critically helps in understanding the correct information from the study results. Primary qualitative data analysis has been done on the interview questions with the help of critical analysis method. As per the study by Hirano et al. (2018), critical analysis helps in deductive analysis of the data which can further be analysed to bring out relevant information related to the topic of study.

Ethical Considerations

All the data collected in case of this research are correct and unaltered. Consent of each of the members participating in a survey and the interviews has been taken prior to the research. Information is present in the report without manipulation as well. As per the study by Clark and Vealé (2018), it is of utmost importance that a researcher must maintain the accuracy and authenticity of data while doing research. All the data used in this report attain the guidelines of the Data Protection Act of UK, 2018 (Siponen, M. and Tsohou, 2018).

TimeLine of the Report

Figure 3: Timeline of the report

(Source: MS Excel)

Conclusion

Based on the above analysis it can be said that the use of ERP systems is mandatory in case of management of logistics in today’s world for Morrison. It has been found out that ERP systems are related to the management of any given significant segment of a business with the help of software. The use of an ERP system is relatively easy when compared to complex architectural systems that are the current modern-day norms. It has also been found out that there are several benefits related to the use of ERP systems in modern times as it helps in recording of data and passing of information in remote places. It even helps in tracking business information all over the world. It can be said that the implementation of ERP systems by Morrison can largely benefit the company in case of enhancing business operations.

References

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