Factors affecting implementation of enterprise applications integration (EAI) with special reference to corruption and fraud in DOD

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Corporate mergers and partnerships are common in today's competitive environment andinevitably require organisations to integrate information and telecommunication systemswhen such unisons take place. One of the most important challenges in each enterprise,especially forced by global markets and the resulting competition, is the capability toefficiently interact, collaborate and exchange information with business partners and withinan organisation. Many software systems within organisations are not integrated into ahomogeneous structure and therefore the sharing and exchange of information, not beingsynchronised, leads to possible misappropriation of such information. These isolated systemsin organisations, could consequently become possible platforms for corruption and fraud,leading to increase in computer crime. While key risk areas remain, new dangers areemerging. Government stakeholders require departments to be accountable and responsible,which underpins the sharing and exchanging of relevant information, which in turnnecessitates the integration of inter- as well as intra-departmental systems. If corruption andfraud is committed in these departments the impact may be significant, including damage totheir reputation and image and even detrimental to service delivery to communities.Government and law enforcement agencies all over the world are faced with challenges ofcombating corruption and fraud. Fighting corruption and fraud committed via computersnecessitates the need to close the gaps created by computers which were designed withoutconsideration for future integration. Hence organisations should seek a way to link systemsthat were developed in isolation in order to simplify and automate business processes to thegreatest extent possible. The aim of this study is to discuss factors affecting theimplementation of application systems in large organisations with special reference to theSouth African Department of Defence (SA DOD). Current systems will be studied and apossible approach on how the DOD Vehicle Management Systems could be integrated willbe recommended. This study introduces and defines the problem, describes different researchmethodologies including the methodology that was used. The topics of corruption and fraud,electronic commerce and e-government will be explored through intensive research of theextant literature, drawing interpretations to be applied to the empirical data gathered on fraudand corruption in DOD and on their ITC systems. Finally the findings and recommendationsof this research, based on the theoretical and empirical data, will be presented.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University