An information system process model for a small South African enterprise in the retail sector

• Main Author: Gikas, Evangelos
• Other Authors: Botha, D.
• Format: Others
• Language: en_ZA
• Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2012
• Subjects: Retail trade > South Africa > Management; Management information systems > South Africa; Small business > South Africa > Management; Dissertations > Business management; Theses > Business management
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/52675

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. === ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study acts as a consulting solution to a South African small retail enterprise in developing an information system process model that will assist them to achieve their goals. A thorough analysis of the enterprise and the existing processes is conducted, where after the development of a transactional processing system is critically analysed. Small enterprises have specific information technology needs that are vastly different from large firms. The study takes into consideration the very specific conditions that will lead to successes and failures for this enterprise. It illustrates that from planning through to implementation and evaluation, it is important to integrate the technology as seamlessly as possible with the existing culture and operation. A review of existing principles for small enterprises is conducted and the guidelines flowing from this are outlined and applied to the business under investigation in a developing a practical solution. The owner understands that technology could be utilised to the benefit of his business. His backing and conviction that this is the way forward is imperative to the long-term success of the ultimate solution. Some guidelines to the study are set parameters as the owner has expressed specific requirements regarding the ultimate solution. This study provides a framework from which the developer, consultant and owner can sit at a planning stage and discuss an action plan for initialising and completing this project. Specifications and technical requirements can be deduced from the conclusions drawn in this study. The success of the new information system will depend solely on the quality of information and involvement of the users. The success of the ultimate solution will need the support of non-technology related functions. The information system will be dependent on the current processes and how well they are managed in conjunction with the new system. === AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie behels die formulering van 'n oplossing vir 'n Suid Afrikaanse kleinsake onderneming. Die ontwikkeling van 'n inligtingstelsel proses model wat die onderneming in staat sal stel om hulle doelwitte te bereik is die fokus van die studie. Die onderneming en huidige prosesse word in diepte geanaliseer waarna die ontwikkeling van 'n transaksionele prosesering sisteem krities bestudeer word. Klein ondernemings het spesifieke informasie tegnologie behoeftes wat grootliks verskil ten opsigte van groot ondernemings. Hierdie studie neem in ag die spesifieke omstandighede wat die onderneming se suksesse en mislukkings sal bepaal. Dit wys uit dat die proses vanaf beplanning, tot en met implementasie en evaluasie, dit noodsaaklik is om die informasie tegnologie sonder haakplekke te integreer met die huidige kultuur en operasie. Bestaande beginsels vir kleinsake besighede word hersien en die gevolgtrekkings wat daaruit vloei word saamgevat en toegepas op die onderneming wat bestudeer word om 'n praktiese oplossing te ontwikkel. Die eienaar is bewus van die voordele wat informasie tegnologie vir sy onderneming kan inhou. Sy steun en oortuiging dat dit die regte oplossing is, is noodsaaklik vir die langtermyn sukses van die uiteindelike oplossing. Riglyne vir die studie word voorgeskryf waar die eienaar spesifieke parameters aangaande die uiteindelike oplossing vereis. Die studie verskaf 'n raamwerk waarmee die programeerder, konsultant en eienaar 'n beplanningsessie kan bywoon om 'n aksieplan te bespreek vir die oorsprong en voltooiing van die projek. Dit is moontlik dat spesifikasies en tegniese vereistes afgelei kan word vanaf die gevolgtrekkings gemaak in die studie. Die sukses van die nuwe inligting stelsel sal ten volle afhanklik wees van die kwaliteit van inligting en betrokkenheid van die verbruikers. Die sukses van die uiteindelike oplossing moet ondersteun word deur die funksies wat nie direk verwant is aan tegnologie nie. Die inligtingstelsel sal afhanklik wees van die huidige prosesse en hoe goed die prosesse gesamentlik met die nuwe stelsel bestuur word.