Analyzing the business process and information systems of Ecolab company
Boyuan Xue
Co-Presenters: Boyuan Xue, Edith Gudiel, Zhuxin Hua, Chonghao Hu, Zhengyuan Shen
College: College of Business and Public Management
Major: BS.ACCOUNTING
Faculty Research Mentor: Abraham, Thomas
Abstract:
Abstract: Ecolab is a corporation operating in the water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services industry with headquarters in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA. Our team will use the design science research method (Gregor & Hevner, 2013) to identify problems in an organizational business process and recommend solutions to improve the process. Design science is a research paradigm that focuses on problem-solving by creating artifacts. We will collect our data from primary sources such as interviews with managers and direct observation. We will analyze the industry structure using Porter’s Five Forces model and identify the competitive strategy of the company. We will document the process by creating artifacts such as flowcharts. We will then analyze the process using management information systems and process management principles discussed in our course (Kroenke & Boyle, 2026) and recommend solutions to improve the process effectiveness and efficiency. Our thesis is that the impact of these improvements can reduce costs and consume fewer resources while improving the quality of the products and services. We will report our preliminary findings in the form of a poster presentation.Keywords: Process management, Design Science research, Management Information Systems (MIS)References:Gregor, S., & Hevner, A. R. (2013). Positioning and presenting design science research for maximum impact. MIS Quarterly, 37(2), 337-355.Kroenke, D.M., & Boyle, R.J. (2026). Using MIS. Thirteenth edition. Pearson