Uncovering the Selection Criteria of HEIs when Choosing Timetabling Applications using ERP as a Reference

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are under constant competitive pressure [10] which results in an increased importance of efficiency and effectiveness in the organisation, which in turn increases the importance of selecting the right timetabling application. Timetabling applications are increasingly considered to be at the heart of the HE organisation. They have impact on the schedules of teachers, students and staff [15] and they thus have a direct cause on the effectiveness and efficiency of them. The selection of timetabling applications fitted for the organisation is an essential first step for managing and controlling the schedules. Identifying and quantifying the categories of selection criteria presently used by HEIs to select timetabling applications is the first step in improving this selection process, leading to a better understanding of ways to control effectiveness and efficiency in education. This paper evaluates public tenders put forward in several North-Western European countries from 2003 up to now (2016), using the model for ERP system selection as proposed by Wei et al [17] as a reference. Comparison with ERP models is key for identifying and measuring the selection criteria used by HEIs in their selection process of timetabling applications in a structured and consistent way. Categories of selection criteria and their corresponding weights in the selection process are discovered. It is, for example, found that of the identified categories of selection criteria the category implementation time is weighted the lowest and this provides the biggest opportunity for improvement. Also, a first discussion is started on the division of these categories into subcategories. This paper contributes to the discussion of the way timetabling selection criteria are used in HEIs.