Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Organizations that depend on attendance management systems are under increasing pressure to modernize, and Robotic Process Automation has emerged as one of the more promising avenues for doing so, given its demonstrated impact in related domains.

In practice, however, adoption of robotic process automation within attendance management systems has been uneven, and its actual impact on decision support is not yet well understood in a rigorous, evaluable way — a gap this study is positioned to address.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Existing approaches to decision support within attendance management systems remain largely reactive and fragmented, with little systematic use of robotic process automation despite its demonstrated value elsewhere. This study addresses the resulting gap by designing and evaluating a solution built specifically around robotic process automation.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To design and implement a robotic process automation-based approach to improving decision support in attendance management systems.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of Robotic Process Automation in enhancing decision support within attendance management systems.
3. To identify the key requirements and constraints relevant to deploying robotic process automation in this context.
4. To assess user and stakeholder perception of the resulting system.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How can robotic process automation be applied to improve decision support in attendance management systems?
2. How effective is Robotic Process Automation at enhancing decision support within attendance management systems?
3. What requirements and constraints are relevant to deploying robotic process automation in this context?
4. How do users and stakeholders perceive the resulting system?

1.5 Significance of the Study

Beyond its immediate technical contribution, this study offers value to organizations evaluating whether to invest in robotic process automation for their own attendance management systems, and contributes to the broader literature on applied software technology / IT by documenting a concrete implementation and evaluation case.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to the design, implementation, and evaluation of a robotic process automation-based approach to improving decision support within attendance management systems. Reflecting its BSc-level scope, it does not extend to a full commercial rollout or long-term post-implementation review beyond the study period.