International Divider Walls

The subject of this teaching case is the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation at International Divider Walls, the world market leader in design, production, and sales of divider walls. The implementation in one of the divisions of this multi-national company had been successful, and now the Chief Information Officer (CIO) was asked to advise the board of directors on the next step in the worldwide roll out of the ERP system. A choice had to be made between a centrally managed ERP option, and an option in which each of the divisions set up its own ERP project.As a student, you will assume the role of the CIO and present to the board a recommendation on the ERP roll out. You will have to combine your theoretical knowledge of the fields of strategic management, management accounting and control, and IT alignment and identify the important steps and issues pertaining to implementing an ERP system. Moreover, you will carry out a qualitative and quantitative analysis of public and internal financial and non-financial data to critically evaluate how these data affect the ERP implementation.

► This teaching case covers the ERP implementation at a multinational listed company.
► This teaching case can be used in an MBA or MSc program in management accounting or IT.
► Students will apply their knowledge of strategic management, management accounting, and IT.
► Students will analyze financial and non-financial data that affect ERP implementation.
► Students will learn to present compelling advice designed to convince a board of directors.