Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Big Data Analytics has become one of the more actively explored innovations in the design of modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, promising gains in efficiency and reliability that legacy, largely manual approaches have struggled to deliver.

In practice, however, adoption of big data analytics within enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems has been uneven, and its actual impact on user authentication 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 user authentication within enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems remain largely reactive and fragmented, with little systematic use of big data analytics despite its demonstrated value elsewhere. This study addresses the resulting gap by designing and evaluating a solution built specifically around big data analytics.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To design and implement a big data analytics-based approach to improving user authentication in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of Big Data Analytics in enhancing user authentication within enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
3. To identify the key requirements and constraints relevant to deploying big data analytics in this context.
4. To assess user and stakeholder perception of the resulting system.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How can big data analytics be applied to improve user authentication in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems?
2. How effective is Big Data Analytics at enhancing user authentication within enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems?
3. What requirements and constraints are relevant to deploying big data analytics 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 big data analytics for their own enterprise resource planning (ERP) 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 big data analytics-based approach to improving user authentication within enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Reflecting its MSc-level scope, it does not extend to a full commercial rollout or long-term post-implementation review beyond the study period.