Design and Evaluation of an E-Learning Artefact for the Implementation of SAP S/4HANA®

The objective of this study is to create a new e-learning artefact for SAP S/4 Hana training purposes. Based on Design Science Research, a new prototype of an e-learning artefact has been developed. The prototype is grounded on didactic and information systems theories, as well as models. The aim of this new prototype is to transfer knowledge of business processes with the new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) SAP S/4 HANA in an effective and efficient way. The study is validated through an experiment with a treatment and a control group. While the treatment group learns with the new e-learning artefact, the control group keeps with the existing conventional training. Results show that the treatment group have significantly less dropouts than the control group, and that the treatment group could also finalize the SAP S/4 Hana exercises in less time. This study shows also how companies can benefit significantly using the same approach through a set of guidelines. Acknowledgement Abstract Abstract in German language Contents Abbreviations List of Figures List of Tables 1 Introduction and Motivation for the Topic 1.1 Background and Initial Situation 1.2 Problem Formulation and Motivation 1.3 Objective and Research Question 1.4 Structure of the Dissertation 2 Research Design 2.1 Research Design and Methodological Approach 2.2 Design Science 2.3 Design Science Research Method 2.4 Three Cycle view of Design Science Research 2.5 Design Science Research in the Context of this Dissertation 3 Environment 3.1 Context of the Company Leica Geosystems AG 3.2 Requirements of the Company 3.3 Introduction SAP S/4 HANA 3.4 The core of SAP S/4 HANA and fulfilment of modern requirements 3.5 Integration of Business Processes and New Features in SAP S/4 HANA 3.5.1 Process of Idea to Market 3.5.2 Process of Source to Pay 3.5.3 Process of Plan to Fulfil 3.5.4 Process of Lead to Cash 3.5.5 Process of Recruit to Retire 3.5.6 Process of Acquire to Decommission 3.5.7 Process of Governance 3.5.8 Process of Finance 4 Knowledge Base 4.1 Learning and Didactic Theories 4.1.1 Learning and Didactic Theories. A Frame Comparison 4.1.2 General Didactic and Subject-Related Didactic 4.2 Didactic Theories and Models to Develop a E-learning Artefact for an Integrated Business Process Software 4.3 Didactic Theories and Didactic Models 4.3.1 Didactic Models of the Educational Theories, Learning Theories, Constructive Theories, and Other Relevant Didactic Approaches 4.3.2 Didactic Models of the Learning Theory 4.3.3 Constructivist Didactic 4.3.4 Other Relevant Didactic Models 4.3.5 Subject-didactic for Business Processes in Information Technology 4.4 Requirements for an E-learning Artefact 4.5 Expositional Methods 5 Design Cycle and Operationalisation of Design Science Research 5.1 Awareness of the Problem 5.2 Suggestion. Didactic Methodical Concept, Requirements, and Expositional Presentation for Teaching an Integrated Business Process Software like SAP S/4 HANA 5.3 Development 5.4 Empirical Design and Evaluation Concept 5.4.1 Hypothesis, Variables and Indicators 5.4.2 Experimental Research Design 6 Evaluation of the Artefact 6.1 Efficiency Related Results 6.2 Effectiveness Related Results 6.2.1 Create a Billing and Post the Billing 6.2.2 Create New Sales Order and Change the Price 6.2.3 Non Dropouts and Time 6.2.4 Regression Analysis and Differences 6.2.5 Conclusion of the Evaluation Results 7 Design Guideline for the Conceptualisation and Implementation of an E-Learning Artefact for SAP S/4 HANA 7.1 Preparation 7.2 Execution 7.3 Monitoring 7.4 Adaptation 8 Conclusion 9 Limitations and Future Research Literature