Based on these considerations, an engineer-to-order system requires an integrated information system, able to manage a high number of engineering changes and cost variance to original estimates.
It is necessary that this Information System application is project driven and focused on production scheduling, but we believe that, in particular for large companies, the implementation of this solution is more necessary but also more complex because of high numbers of tenders and orders simultaneously managed, geographical distribution and organizational complexity .
We thus individuate a lack in the literature that regards the way to manage the typical features of an engineer-to-order firm through an integrated Information System solution.
The aim of our work is to highlight the possibility of an integrated Information Technology solution within an engineer-to-order company to manage the quotation phase and to facilitate the engineers work.
In this way, we attempt to evaluate if uncertainty and complexity, specific features of the engineer-to-order, are better managed, in particular in engineer-to-order businesses, characterized by high customization, products with high technology-content, complex processes, and multiple business dimensions.
To develop findings from our research we propose the following research question:
research question: How is it possible to better manage, through an integrated multi-layer information system, uncertainty and complexity in the context of engineer-to-order businesses, also highlighting managerial, organizational and accounting impacts of the Information System solution?
4 Research Methodology
In order to answer the research question, the analysis is conducted through a qualitative case study methodology, as engineer-to-order literature demonstrates dominance of conceptual and case study approaches .
We chose this methodology because, in accordance with literature, the case study research is largely used in the area of information system.
Besides, it allows the researchers to answer both ‘‘how’’ and ‘‘why’’ questions, in order to understand complex processes. Finally case study is appropriate method to research in any
area in which few previous studies have been carried out and when boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident .