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CHAPTER 4 The Procurement Process 1
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CHAPTER
CHAPTER

Introduction to Business Processes

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing this chapter you will be able to:
1. Defi ne the functional organizational structure, and explain why
this structure creates problems for modern businesses.
2. Describe key business processes in an organization.
3. Identify the main integration points between and among
processes.
4. Understand the cross-functional nature of processes and their
relationship to organizational areas.
5. Adopt and apply an integrated perspective to business processes.
6. Describe organizational structure of Global Bike Incorporated.
7. Explain how the SAP ERP system promotes an integrated
®
approach to business processes.

t this point in your university career, you have probably begun taking
courses in accounting, operations, MIS, and other disciplines. These courses
Ahave introduced you to some basic business concepts and exposed you
to different aspects of how a business operates. You have also begun to master
several technology tools that will be very useful in your future career, such
as offi ce productivity tools to create spreadsheets, presentations, and docu-
ments. The course for which you are using this textbook deals with integrated
business processes and the enterprise systems (ES) that support them. The con-
cepts and skills you will gain from this course are different from what you
have experienced previously, and you will need to approach this course with a
different perspective.

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