A Study of SAP in healthcare: Could the implementation of SAP for healthcare change the approach to information management in NHS

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank my supervisors, friends and family, without their support this research study would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I adjudge that the entire content of this thesis is entirely my own work; the content used in this thesis has not been submitted before in any educational institution and represents my own opinion.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

This research study aims to examine implementation of SAP (Systems, Applications and Products in Data Processing) for healthcare for the information management in NHS. The SAP is an integrated software system which incorporates all the functions of business into one system. The implementation of SAP is effective in healthcare as it is useful for managing the complete records of patients. This research study aims at investigating the implementation of SAP is fruitful for delivering better care with fewer mistakes, predicts and prevents diseases, and empowers people to make better choices. This research study uses the quantitative research design. A questionnaire survey will be administered with the employees of hospital to examine the effectiveness of SAP implementation. SAP is a costly, complex, comprehensive system when successfully implemented, can yield desirable results for many healthcare organizations. The survey findings indicate that SAP is powerful and effective software as its implementation have effective gains for the healthcare health care organization as it allow fewer mistakes, predicts and prevents diseases, and empowers people to make better choices. The findings of research hypothesis indicate that SAP has a significant impact for the information management in NHS. SAP implementation benefits including heightened competitiveness, better communication, higher accuracy of information, and more timely information are all positive attributes gained by organizations with successfully implemented SAP systems. These attributes lead to better decision making, better patient and care provider relationships, and stronger loyalty.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER # 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Problem Statement2

Purpose of the Study3

Aims and Objective of the Study3

Rationale of the Study3

Research Questions4

Research Hypothesis5

Significance of the Study5

Structure of the Dissertation5

CHAPTER # 2: LITERATURE REVIEW7

History7

ERP Technology9

Evolution of SAP11

Program Models12

SAP and Healthcare System14

Technology Adoption15

CHAPTER # 3: METHODOLOGY20

Introduction20

Research Design20

Research Philosophy21

Research Approach22

Research Instrument23

Sampling Method and Research Participants23

Data Collection24

Data Analysis24

Informed Consent24

Validity and Reliability25

CHAPTER # 4: RESEARCH FINDINGS28

Introduction28

Demography of Respondents28

Questionnaire Analysis31

Perceptions of employees about the ERP project in company31

Perceptions of employees about the benefits of SAP33

Hypothesis Testing42

Correlation Analysis43

Summary45

CHAPTER # 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS46

Discussion on Research Question46

Conclusions49

Recommendations for Practice51

Recommendations for Future Research52

REFERENCES54

APPENDIX58

Questionnaire58

CHAPTER # 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The SAP (Systems, Applications and Products in Data Processing) is basically business application software which is utilized by a number of organizations. This business application software leads the market for the enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. ERP is a program which synchronizes the various aspects of industrial production.

The ERP methodology is basically a concept which is comprehensive for the “enterprise” for employing the ERP. By the implementation of ERP the customer and supplier enterprises integrated into the service or goods provider who is employing ERP in their ...