Integration of specialized disciplines in business school curriculum: Applying the SAP process

This study assessed perceptions of university business school leaders in the United States and Canada about the purposes, processes, challenges, and outcomes of the implementation of the SAP (software applications in programming) enterprise software solution within their institutions. This investigation gathered insights to implementation techniques and issues that had proved to be successful or disruptive, as well as those affecting program sustainability. Ultimately, the study illuminated the outcomes of using an enterprise system to demonstrate integrated thought in higher education settings.; The over-arching theme that emerged throughout the study was that there are inherent benefits of introducing an enterprise system into the business curriculum. Subordinate to this theme was that the introduction of SAP positively influenced employment opportunities for the students and enhanced reputations of business schools for student recruiting purposes. Finally, a recurring characteristic of the over-arching theme was the assessment of the effectiveness of the SAP interdisciplinary curriculum in its capability to produce students whose competencies and knowledge of ERP were in demand by employers.; The most common influences to faculty motivation were top-level administrative support and the additional time and effort required. The challenge to the administration interested in implementing the SAP process would be to provide executive-level support in the form of clearly stated strategic objectives backed by incentives that would realistically motivate faculty to participate.; The use of SAP within a course to demonstrate the integrated nature of business processes is much less intrusive and may be successfully implemented with minimal interdisciplinary exposure or impact. This would be the recommended strategy for established disciplines that have top-level administrative support and want to introduce SAP into their university.; A truly interdisciplinary effort that integrates curriculum across business disciplines requires extensive planning, coordination, and modification to curricula. This strategy would be most appropriate in organizational contexts in which new programs are being designed or a total reconceptualization is being initiated. An interdisciplinary program requires extensive top-level administrative support and a dedicated core of faculty from several disciplines familiar with the SAP software to work closely throughout the design, implementation, and support of the program.