OPTIMIZING ENTERPRISE RESOURCE CAPACITIES IN CONFLICTED BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTS: A FUNCTIONAL AND ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS APPROACH

It is a known fact that in conflict times managing enterprise resource-bases efficiently is a tougher challenge than in peace times. This is because the variables buffeting firms are erratic and can be unpredictable. The study focused on conflicted business environments of the Niger Delta and North East rejoins of Nigeria and the constraints operating firms face. The study appraised the benefits of deploying functional and enterprise systems, ES, as capacities to shore up the internal strength of firms to take up external environmental opportunities and inherentthreats. The need to be highly creative in the application and use of Enterprise Systems, ES such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), electronic Customer Relationship Management (eCRM), etc, were appraised as drivers in optimizingfirm capacities. This is to enable the creation of specific market-driven products that are critical with viable demand prospects as opposed to general products offered at peace times. Specific competitive models with special relevance to the optimization of internal resourcesat conflict times along with the Paris OECD Model for adapting and integrating enterprise efforts at local, regional and national levels were presented. To fast track, a quick return to peace and ambiance for economic development, the role the federal authorities can play to creatively engage peacebuilding strategies and UN suggested Models of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, DDR, in addition to tracking and eliminating root causes of conflict were suggested. The study recommended that enterprises in conflicted areas develop attractive resource management techniques; develop unique adaptive strategies, invent unique logistics and distribution systems, serve niche markets with demand/value prospects, among others to stay competitive and to survive.