This study examined the relationship between supply integration and relationship stability and the relationship between relationship stability and performance; furthermore, the moderation effect of environmental uncertainty on supply chain integration and relationship stability was analyzed. The subjects are typical small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries that focus on niche markets to compete with large-scale manufacturers. Questionnaires were distributed to manufacturers to collect empirical data; in total, 566 valid samples were gathered. The results indicate that supply chain integration has positive effects on relational stability and that relational stability has positive effects on supply chain performance. Relational stability is a mediator between supply chain integration and supply chain performance. The contingency effects of environmental uncertainty on the relationships between internal integration and relational stability were determined in this research. This research framework extended past research on supply chain management; part of the research explored the relationship between supply chain integration and different measures of supply chain performance, as well as whether uncertainty affects supply chain integration and supply chain performance.

This paper evaluates ERP investment under uncertainty using a model based on the Real Options theory. We expand the Dixit and Pindyck (Dixit, A.K. and Pindyck, R.S., 1994. Investment under uncertainty. Princeton: Princeton University Press) model, which considers a single source of uncertainty, and apply it to the problem of ERP investment decision. Revenue and costs are well documented in the literature as uncertain and critical factors. We developed a quantitative model using the concept of dynamic programming, which takes into account multiple uncertain factors, to determine the optimal threshold ratio of revenue to cost, as a means to evaluate investment in ERP. In addition, we performed sensitivity analysis on the effects various parameters have on the value of ERP projects. In contrast to conventional wisdom, we showed that the evaluation of ERP based on Real Options theory differs from that of NPV and captures a more realistic valuation of investment in ERP. This paper contributes to the literature by taking both uncertain revenue and costs into account, and makes up for the lack of tools required to quantify investments in ERP under uncertainty.

Previous Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) evaluation methods using closed-form solutions have ignored the unique characteristics of ERP’s life cycle. We propose a lifecycle model based on simulation and stochastic processes to capture and evaluate ERP’s value, including additional key factors. Our results show that accounting for the life cycle, ERP value differs from traditional wisdom and supports decision making from various factors and scopes, considering ERP’s implementation’s unique characteristics.