Methodology of process models creation when using the software tool enterprise architect

A continuous improvement of business processes is a must for any company that wants to stay in the market. Customers requiring better and better products and services force all enterprises to think continuously about improving of their business processes. Such an approach is based on a good understanding and measuring of an existing process and, thus, from the resulting stimuli of its improvement. A software (SW) tool called Enterprise Architect enables, among others, to model individual business processes. The main objective of business processes modelling is to create a correct specification of these processes and to analyse their properties. The purpose of business processes modelling is to create such an abstraction of a process, which would enable to understand all its activities and all relationships existing between these activities on the one hand and roles represented by capabilities of people and facilities involved in a given process. The objective of this paper is to create a uniform methodology of business processes modelling when using the SW tool Enterprise Architect.Process model methodology of modeling activity process modelling area

Cost-Benefit Analysis Applied to Personnel/Human Resource Management Decisions

[Excerpt] Every model for improving quality in manufacturing or service emphasizes the need to understand customer or client needs, measure achievements in terms of those needs, and use measurements to adjust processes so that the needs are better met. For many clients of the personnel functions, such as line managers and shareholders, meeting their needs means demonstrating competitive return on investment. In a very real sense, the resources used to support human resource programs/processes could also be used to buy new equipment, pay stock dividends, or purchase raw materials. Thus, the results of personnel investments must produce enough value to justify shifting the resources from these other purposes. Cost-benefit analysis provides a framework and system for understanding what information best reflects the needs of clients, and how to organize and use that information so that progress toward meeting client needs is clearly evident. Cost-benefit analysis shifts the focus away from simply improving personnel processes and toward improving personnel business outcomes

Principles and Business Improvement Initiatives of Lean Relates to Environmental Management System

Lean and Environmental Management System (EMS) are widely appreciated by organizations in improving business efficiency and productivity. The distinct systems have worked towards the enhancement of business capabilities, reducing production costs and meeting ISO standards. This paper analyzes these two systems and provides an understanding of how these processes have contributed in improving business efficiencies. Past research studies have revealed that there are wide ranging possibilities and scope of expanding the application potential of these systems to provide even better business models. The research study aims to provide an understanding of the individual systems and then goes on to explore the possibilities of integrating the two models to provide an effective approach to achieving organizational efficiency

Principles and Business Improvement Initiatives of Lean Relates to Environmental Management System

Lean and Environmental Management System (EMS) are widely appreciated by organizations in improving business efficiency and productivity. The distinct systems have worked towards the enhancement of business capabilities, reducing production costs and meeting ISO standards. This paper analyzes these two systems and provides an understanding of how these processes have contributed in improving business efficiencies. Past research studies have revealed that there are wide ranging possibilities and scope of expanding the application potential of these systems to provide even better business models. The research study aims to provide an understanding of the individual systems and then goes on to explore the possibilities of integrating the two models to provide an effective approach to achieving organizational efficiency

A Framework for Analysis of B2B Electronic Contracting Support

Contracts are fundamental to all economic production and exchange processes. The fast introduction of IT into the business domain both facilitates and requires changes in core business processes and relations between business organizations. In the context of the latter, the use of IT in business-to-business contracting processes aims at optimisation and globalisation of these processes by improving their speed, efficiency and reach. Electronic contracting can thus be used on the one hand to improve existing business relationship paradigms and on the other hand to enable new forms of contractual relationships. In this paper, we propose a conceptual framework for business-to-business e-contracting support. The framework provides a complete view over the contracting field. It allows positioning research efforts in the e-contracting domain, placing their goals into perspective, and overseeing future research topics and issues. It is the basis for drawing conclusions about basic requirements to contracting systems and can be used for establishing a common terminology and improving mutual understanding among users and domain researchers

Assessment of information-driven decision-making in the SME

The use of analytics in decision -making processes is a key element for organizations to be competitive. However, experience indicates that many organizations still have not managed to fully understand how to use properly the available data for diagnosing, improving a nd controlling processes or modelling, predicting and discovering business opportunities. This situation is even more exaggerated among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). An essential first step for SMEs to start using analytics is a correct assessment o f their decision -making processes and use of data. This will help them understanding their current situation, seeing the potential of adopting analytical practices and decide their approach to analytics. Therefore, the assessment we propose is managerial a nd strategic; thus, it is not aimed at detecting problems such as: errors in the data to make an invoice, not having the correct version of a drawing in the shop or a wrong date in a project plan... Undoubtedly, t hese issues are very important but they are not the objective. The results from applying the proposed assessment tool in several pilot SMEs are expected to serve as the basis for improving the tool and developing a maturity model and a roadmap for improving their proficiency in information -driven d ecision -makingPostprint (published version

Process mapping and scripting in the Accounting Information Systems (AIS) curriculum

The ability to understand, document, and suggest improvements for a business process is an important skill for an accounting student for the following reasons: (1) efficient business processes give businesses a competitive advantage; (2) business process analysis provides auditors with an assessment of business risk; and (3) successful enterprise resource planning implementation depends on understanding and improving existing business processes. It is suggested that students be introduced to process mapping and scripting in an accounting information systems (AIS) course to facilitate their understanding of business processes and help them visualize the interaction between functional areas. The specifics of process mapping are covered and advantages of incorporating process mapping into the AIS curriculum discussed. It is also proposed that scripting, which is used to facilitate configuration, testing of ERP software and communication between the accountant and the programmer, be included in the AIS course. Finally, suggestions for classroom activities are included

Business processes in the agile organisation: a socio-technical perspective

© 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. This paper takes a cross-disciplinary view of the ontology of “business process”: how the concept is treated in the IS research literature and how related concepts (with stronger human behavioural orientation) from organisation and management sciences can potentially inform this IS perspective. In particular, is there room for socio-technical concepts such as technology affordance, derived from the constructivist tradition, in improving our understanding of operational business processes, particularly human-centric business processes? The paper presents a theoretical framework for understanding the role of business processes in organisational agility that distinguishes between the process-as-designed and the process-as-practiced. How this practice aspect of business processes also leads to the improvisation of various information technology enablers, is explored using a socio-technical lens. The posited theoretical framework is illustrated and validated with data drawn from an interpretive empirical case study of a large IT services company. The research suggests that processes within the organisation evolve both by top-down design and by the bottom-up routinisation of practice and that the tension between these is driven by the need for flexibility

Facilitating Information Sharing in Organizations using Electronic Content Management Systems (ECMS): Towards a Model

This research-in-progress paper explores how the use of ECMS facilitates the sharing of business process- related information that supports end-to-end processes between business units in an organization. Based on an in-depth literature review, we propose a theoretical model to explain ECMS-use in two different types of business processes namely (1) processes with high or low Standardisation and (2) processes with high or low Integration. The model which will be tested in later stages of this research will provide a deeper explanation on how and why organizations may use ECMS in different ways as shaped by the Standardisation and Integration aspects of the organization’ s particular business process. Therefore, this study provides a deeper understanding on the use of ECMS and the value they can bring to organizations in terms of improving the sharing of information that supports the way the business operates

Sustainability Of ISO 14001 Standards Through An Integration With Lean Principles

Lean and EMS are widely appreciated by organisations in improving business efficiency and productivity. The distinct systems have worked towards the enhancement of business capabilities, reduction production costs and meeting ISO standards. The paper analyses these two systems and provides an understanding of how these processes have contributed in improving business efficiencies. Past research studies have revealed that there are wide ranging possibilities and scope of expanding the application potential of these systems to provide even better business models. The primary objective of the paper is to provide a conceptual framework through an effective integration of these two systems for enhanced business efficiency and productivity. The study concludes that an integrated business model can help organisations realize potential benefits and possibilities in the field of business enhancement. In this context, the study explores the possibilities of integration and aims to provide an understanding of the individual systems. The research then goes on to explore the possibilities of integrating the two models to provide an effective approach in achieving organisational efficiency. The research methodology applied in the context of this study involved both primary and secondary research methods in gaining a deeper and practical insight into the issues facing Lean and EMS integration. The findings contributed to the framing of new conceptual framework that combines the benefits of both Lean and EMS principles for enhanced business results