Research Report: Implementing Cloud-Based ERP in Retail Business

This research report investigates the significance of cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems within the retail business sector. The study addresses the problem of implementing cloud ERP, particularly the lack of trained staff, and aims to provide a better understanding of its importance. The objectives include evaluating cloud ERP systems, identifying their benefits, and recommending effective implementation strategies, alongside comparing cloud ERP with traditional ERP systems. The methodology involves a literature synopsis on cloud computing and its resources, followed by a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative research. Data collection methods include field surveys, questionnaires, and laboratory measurements, ensuring ethical considerations such as respondent anonymity. The report aims to provide valuable insights into how cloud-based ERP systems can be effectively utilized in the retail industry, supporting business development and operational efficiency.

Running head: RESEARCH IN BUSINESS
Research in Business
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
1. Problem Statement...................................................................................................................2
2. Aims.........................................................................................................................................2
3. Objectives.................................................................................................................................2
4. Research questions...................................................................................................................2
5. Methodology............................................................................................................................3
5.1. Literature Synopsis...........................................................................................................3
5.2. Research method...............................................................................................................3
6. Ethical consideration................................................................................................................4
References........................................................................................................................................5

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1. Problem Statement
There has been a problem about the study of implementation of the cloud based ERP when
people are having the ERP system but not the trained staff for the proper handling of the system
(Kerr, 2014). Any organization who has housed cloud based ERP system of its own are having
problems in acquiring trained staffs who can properly handle the system (Yeh & Walter, 2016).
2. Aims
The aim of the research study will be to get a better understanding of the significance of
implementing the cloud based ERP for the retail business sector. The primary focus of the
research proposal will be on the importance of the ERP system in the retail sector. This research
proposal will help the researcher in gaining a better understanding of the situation and
significance of the usage of cloud based ERP in the retail sector.
3. Objectives
 To do the evaluation of the cloud based ERP system in the retail business sector
 To identify the benefits of the cloud based ERP system in the retail business
 To properly recommend the effectiveness of the cloud based ERP system in the retail
sector
 To make a good comparison of the cloud based ERP system with that of the ERP system
in the retail business
4. Research questions
The various research questions for the research study have been mentioned below.

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 How to identify the benefits of the cloud based ERP system in the retail sector?
 What are the effective recommendations regarding the importance of the cloud based
ERP system in the retail business?
 What are the noticeable differences between the ERP system and the cloud based ERP
system?
 How can the evaluation of the cloud based ERP system in the retail business be done?
5. Methodology
5.1. Literature Synopsis
The cloud based computing uses the internet to share the computing resources (Dinh, 2013).
It includes disk storage, processing power and memory to run the software applications
(Patterson & Hennessy, 2017). It has the lowered upfront costs. The research will be done by
taking the data from different primary as well as secondary sources.
5.2. Research method
Data can be collected either from the primary sources or secondary sources or from both. The
primary sources of data can be the interviews, focus groups, surveys through questionnaires,
longitudinal studies, observations, life histories, case studies, action research and ethnographic
research (Merriam & Tisdell, 2015). Secondary sources of data include previous research
studies, diaries, and official statistics, books, journal articles, newspaper articles and various
websites in the internet (Sekaran & Bougie, 2016). There are two main types of research
methods, qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative research is basically an exploratory research.
This method is used to gain an understanding of the reasons, motivations and the opinions
(Smith, 2015). It helps to provide an insight into the problem of the research and generation of

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ideas. Quantitative research on the other hand, is used to quantify the problem of the research
study through the generation of numerical data (Henwood, 2014). This research study will take
into consideration the mixed form of qualitative as well as quantitative research studies where
the information and data will be gathered from the respondents through field survey,
questionnaire as well as laboratory measurements.
The field observation will be the hand on experience of the individuals who use the ERP
system in the retail industry. Another way of collecting data is the survey questionnaire (Fowler,
2013). Questions will be asked to the respondents who have used the cloud based ERP system in
the retail industry and important responses will be collected for further analysis (Acar et al.,
2017). This will help in gaining insight into how cloud based ERP system will be effective in the
retail business industry.
6. Ethical consideration
The researcher must be ethical in the conduction of the research. He must not enclose the
data in the public or force the respondents in giving the responses. He should also not disclose
the identity of the respondents.

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References
Acar, M. F., Zaim, S., Isik, M., & Calisir, F. (2017). Relationships among ERP, supply chain
orientation and operational performance: An analysis of structural equation
modeling. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 24(5).
Dinh, H. T., Lee, C., Niyato, D., & Wang, P. (2013). A survey of mobile cloud computing:
architecture, applications, and approaches. Wireless communications and mobile
computing, 13(18), 1587-1611.
Fowler Jr, F. J. (2013). Survey research methods. Sage publications.
Henwood, K. (2014). Qualitative research. Encyclopedia of Critical Psychology, 1611-1614.
Kerr, D. (2014). Feral Information Systems and Workarounds: The Present Position. In Feral
Information Systems Development: Managerial Implications(pp. 23-42). Business
Science Reference (IGI Global).
Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2015). Qualitative research: A guide to design and
implementation. John Wiley & Sons.
Patterson, D. A., & Hennessy, J. L. (2017). Computer Organization and Design RISC-V Edition:
The Hardware Software Interface. Morgan kaufmann.
Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2016). Research methods for business: A skill building approach.
John Wiley & Sons.
Smith, J. A. (Ed.). (2015). Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Sage.

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Yeh, S. T., & Walter, Z. (2016). Critical Success Factors for Integrated Library System
Implementation in Academic Libraries: A Qualitative Study. Information Technology and
Libraries (Online), 35(3), 27.