Modelling Inter-Organizational Business Processes Governance

Digital transformation requires decentralizing business process governance due to the increasing interdependencies of organizations and more complex business pipelines enabled by information technologies. We present a modelling approach to assist companies in their inter-organizational business process governance (IO-BPG). The results emerge from a design science research conducted with a major European telecommunications service provider. They include (1) the key domain attributes, (2) a domain-specific ontology, and (3) a BPMN extension instantiated in IO-BPG scenarios of Software-as-a-Service, covering structure, processes, and relational mechanisms. For theory, this paper extends the literature on business process governance with a modelling approach evaluated in one of the most regulated and dynamic economic sectors. For practice, our proposal may help appraise accountability, confidentiality, compliance, autonomy, authority, traceability, and collaboration configurations that are crucial to IO-BPG

Towards Longevity: Managing Innovativeness in Family Micro-Small-Medium Enterprises

This article explains the family and business strategies that the Micro-Small-Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) implement to dodge the ability-willingness paradox. The majority of the MSMEs in the metropolitan region of Jakarta are in their comfort zone. Only 15.90% utilize the Internet and 8.53% utilize the computer. According to the researchers' survey, most family businesses highlighted business longevity and emphasized the importance of technology and information. However, family MSMEs are still trapped in the ability-willingness paradox despite recognizing the importance of innovation. This study sampled five family MSME cases that are considered sustainable due to their innovativeness. It then investigated them by in-depth semi-structured interviews, observations, and field notes to explore how they strategize to employ innovativeness. The results signify the founders’/incumbents’ receptiveness towards innovations in the business. It also signifies the stakeholders’ contributive insights and the imposition of operations systemization. These findings stipulate the fundamentals for families in their MSMEs to engage in innovative activities that influence the longevity of their firms. This study concludes by recommending avenues for future research. Keywords: family business, micro-small-medium enterprises, innovativeness, strategy, case studie

Human-Intelligence and Machine-Intelligence Decision Governance Formal Ontology

Since the beginning of the human race, decision making and rational thinking played a pivotal role for mankind to either exist and succeed or fail and become extinct. Self-awareness, cognitive thinking, creativity, and emotional magnitude allowed us to advance civilization and to take further steps toward achieving previously unreachable goals. From the invention of wheels to rockets and telegraph to satellite, all technological ventures went through many upgrades and updates. Recently, increasing computer CPU power and memory capacity contributed to smarter and faster computing appliances that, in turn, have accelerated the integration into and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in organizational processes and everyday life. Artificial intelligence can now be found in a wide range of organizational systems including healthcare and medical diagnosis, automated stock trading, robotic production, telecommunications, space explorations, and homeland security. Self-driving cars and drones are just the latest extensions of AI. This thrust of AI into organizations and daily life rests on the AI community’s unstated assumption of its ability to completely replicate human learning and intelligence in AI. Unfortunately, even today the AI community is not close to completely coding and emulating human intelligence into machines. Despite the revolution of digital and technology in the applications level, there has been little to no research in addressing the question of decision making governance in human-intelligent and machine-intelligent (HI-MI) systems. There also exists no foundational, core reference, or domain ontologies for HI-MI decision governance systems. Further, in absence of an expert reference base or body of knowledge (BoK) integrated with an ontological framework, decision makers must rely on best practices or standards that differ from organization to organization and government to government, contributing to systems failure in complex mission critical situations. It is still debatable whether and when human or machine decision capacity should govern or when a joint human-intelligence and machine-intelligence (HI-MI) decision capacity is required in any given decision situation. To address this deficiency, this research establishes a formal, top level foundational ontology of HI-MI decision governance in parallel with a grounded theory based body of knowledge which forms the theoretical foundation of a systemic HI-MI decision governance framework

APPLICATION OF BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT FOR CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY

In the light of the current debate on climate change and its ever-growing impact on the corporate world this thesis deals with the integration of sustainability into corporations. Its focus lies on the integration of sustainability through business process management (BPM). A comprehensive literature review on both corporate sustainability and BPM has been carried out. Research still fails to establish a link between sustainability and the strategic and operational management. Even though the integration of sustainability into business process management is explicitly recommended, no framework has yet realized this goal. In the light of the identified research gap one main research question evolved: How can Corporate Sustainability be integrated into Business Process Management? In addition to the theoretical data collection, this thesis is based on the experience of actual practitioners. This was achieved by a total of 21 interviews with employees responsible for sustainability. Coding the data produced a set of success factors and difficulties for the integration of sustainability, as well as requirements for a possible method for the integration of sustainability. This has never been described in literature to this extent before. So far literature does not provide a comprehensive set, as it is done within this thesis. From these results, a novel framework was developed to support companies with the sustainability integration using BPM. This initial framework was validated in a second round of interviews. The validation resulted in a refined Sustainability Integration Framework 2.0 which represents the main contribution to knowledge of this thesis. The framework shows the connection between the corporate strategy and the sustainability integration process. It further shows the relevant input factors that need to be considered when developing a sustainability strategy. It also demonstrates the most important steps that need to be undertaken when integrating sustainability into BPM. The framework is a novel approach that helps managers to structure and understand the process of integrating sustainability. It provides a clear guideline and a holistic approach for the integration of sustainability into business process management that has been requested by researchers and practitioners

BPMG – Um Modelo Conceitual para Governança em BPM – Aplicação numa Organização Pública

Governança em BPM é um aspecto apontado como fundamental para o sucesso efetivo do gerenciamento de processos de negócio. Isso parece ser especialmente verdade no contexto do setor público, onde a efetividade, prestação de contas e transparência (três princípios básicos da governança) precisam ser coordenadas. No entanto, as abordagens dessa governança têm se caracterizado por conceitos complexos e pouco precisos, e modelos em alto nível que oferecem pouca ajuda sobre como implementá-la. Além disso, há um número reduzido de trabalhos empíricos com relatos práticos neste tema. Este trabalho relata a construção de um Modelo Conceitual para Governança em BPM e sua aplicação numa organização pública brasileira, utilizando uma abordagem de design-science. A avaliação sobre a aplicação do modelo apontou que ele foi percebido como significativamente útil para criar um entendimento comum bem como para apoiar a estruturação da governança em BPM na organização pesquisada

Automated software systems generation for process-oriented organizations

Tese de doutoramento do Programa Doutoral em Tecnologias e Sistemas de InformaçãoCada vez mais, as organizações suportam as suas operações em sistemas de software. Torna-se, portanto, muito relevante o correto mapeamento das operações nos sistemas de software. Esta tese foca-se em organizações orientadas a processos de negócio, devido à relevância dada pelas normas de qualidade, pelos modelos de excelência, e pelos requisitos dos clientes, a esse tipo de estruturação interna das organizações. Nas organizações orientadas a processos de negócio existem diversos fatores, como o tempo envolvido nos projetos de implementação de processos de negócio em software, as diferenças existentes entre os modelos de processos de negócio e a sua implementação real, ou a quantidade e o tipo de recursos envolvidos nesses projetos, que fazem com que os projetos de desenvolvimento de software sejam demasiado dispendiosos, demorem demasiado tempo, e não garantam que o produto de software resultante seja o mais adequado à realidade da organização que o vai usar. Esta tese propõe que os sistemas de informação e de software devam ser desenvolvidos, desde o início, incorporando os modelos das organizações onde irão ser usados. Além disso, e como existem disponíveis modelos de referência de processos de negócio, esta tese também propõe o seu uso explícito aquando da recolha de requisitos. Assim, o objetivo principal da tese é propor uma metodologia que se inicie com modelos de processos de negócio e que termine com a geração de sistemas de software, para organizações orientadas a processos de negócio. A metodologia denomina-se BIM e é formalizada através do metamodelo EPF. Dada a abrangência dos temas a tratar, a tese foi conduzida tendo em atenção que o processo de desenvolvimento de software para suportar organizações orientadas a processos pode ser otimizado. Para melhor mostrar os diversos passos e resultados intermédios, usamos a metodologia de investigação Action Research. A tese propõe que as atividades de investigação sejam terminadas quando uma dada condição de paragem seja atingida, e para isso usa uma avaliação baseada num conjunto de indicadores para os resultados do produto e do processo, e uma adaptação do modelo de excelência EFQM para a forma como foi executado o processo de desenvolvimento. O foco das Action são os sistemas de software MES, essenciais na ligação entre sistemas de software embebido e sistemas ERP. Nesta tese, as Action iniciam-se com modelos de processos e com arquiteturas de software standard, e terminam com uma proposta de modelo de processo e com arquiteturas de software e tecnologias adaptadas à execução de processos de negócio. A tese propõe também alguns conceitos como IAvO (extensão de modelos de processos de negócio), OBO (componentes de software intermutáveis e não-proprietários), OA (aspetos organizacionais), e PF (framework de processos) para aumentarem a eficiência e eficácia na implementação em software de processos de negócio.Increasingly, organizations support their operations by using software systems, turning very relevant the proper mapping of operations into software systems. This thesis focuses on organizations oriented to business processes, due to the importance that quality norms, excellence models, and customer requirements put on this type of internal structures of organizations. Process-oriented organizations have characteristics, such as the time needed to implement business processes in software, the differences between the business process models and the real business processes, or the quantity and type of the required resources, that lead to development projects too expensive, taking too long to complete, and that do not assure that the resulting product is the most adequate to the reality of the client organization. This thesis proposes that the development of information and software system embodies, since the early stages, the models of the organization where they operate. In addition, and since business process reference models are available, the thesis also proposes to use explicitly such reference models by requirements collection time. Thus, the main goal of the thesis is to propose a methodology that picks business process reference models and ends with software systems, for process-oriented organizations. The methodology is denominated BIM and is formalized by using the EPF metamodel. Due to the wide scope of the studied areas, the thesis is tailored considering that the development process for processoriented organizations can be optimized. To express better the intermediate steps and results, we use the Action Research methodology. The thesis proposes that the research activities terminate when a stopping condition is met, based on a set of indicators for the product, and a tailoring of the EFQM model for the development process. The Actions are focused on MES, crucial for the linking of embedded software systems with ERP systems. In this thesis, the Actions start by using standard process models and software architectures, and end by using a proposed process model, and software architectures and technologies adapted to the execution of business software. The thesis also proposes new concepts like IAvO (extension to business process reference models), OBO (interchangeable and nonproprietary software components), AO (organizational aspects), and PF (process framework) to increase the efficiency and the effectiveness of the implementation of business processes in software

Does 3D printing bring firms back home? : centralization vs decentralization

With the expiry of several important patents in the field of additive manufacturing in the last decade, a revolution in manufacturing in various industries was expected. The new possibilities of additive manufacturing presented new strategic challenges for management. The aim of this paper is to investigate the factors needed for Additive Manufacturing to become established in dentistry. In addition, the impact on centralised or decentralised production was investigated. The thesis focuses on the production of dental crowns. An analysis in 2012 revealed that more than one in five people in the lowest income bracket in Switzerland avoid going to the dentist because of the related costs. Therefore, the analysis should help to display solutions to solve the problem with the support of the Additive Manufacturing. Based on a detailed review of the literature in the field of Strategic Cost Management, Quality Management, Process Management as well as Innovation Management and the semi-structured interviews a flow chart model was created. It displays the relevant factors required, that Additive Manufacturing will be implemented on a large-scale basis in dentistry in Switzerland. The primary data collection was based on five semi-structured interviews with six experts in the dentistry business. In order to obtain a meaningful research result, the entire value chain was surveyed. Thus, the different needs of dental chains, dentists and dental laboratories could be shown to simplify the implementation. The results of the interviews showed that dentists rely on proven methods with long-term studies. It further became apparent that dentist and dental laboratories in Switzerland prefer to work with ceramics to produce dental crowns. Furthermore, it has become apparent that suppliers of 3D Printers are involved in the research and development of such materials. However, there are currently no certificates or materials that are permitted for permanent use. Another finding from the research was that the current dental tariff is a barrier to new innovations. Due to the fixed tariffs, no incentive is created to introduce new cost-effective innovations. It was also revealed that many different factors are decisive for the choice of treatment and the choice of materials for dental crowns. Due to this a complete decentralization of tooth crown manufacturing in the dental surgery seemed currently as not justifiable. To conclude, Additive Manufacturing has many positive aspects and is suitable for the dentistry business. However, there are currently several factors which prevent a large-scale introduction of the technology. These are the printable materials as well as the biocompatibility and the clinical studies. Furthermore, there need to be an agreement with the SSO to foster the technology and to adjust the current dental tariff. If those factors together with the supportive factors mentioned in the research paper can be tackled, the large-scale implementation of Additive Manufacturing will take place. A limitation of the research study was that the customer side has not been included and further research to explore customer’s expectations is suggested

Improvement of the governance of business processes at SIA "Summus".

Darba autors: Mareks Gibarts Bakalaura darba tēma: Biznesa procesu pārvaldības pilnveidošana uzņēmumā SIA “SUMMUS” Studiju programma: profesionālā bakalaura studiju programma “Komercdarbība un uzņēmuma vadība”. Darba zinātniskais vadītājs: Mg. psych., lektore Ruta Karloviča Darba mērķis: pamatojoties uz pieejamajiem teorētiskajiem avotiem, nozares literatūru un SIA “SUMMUS” faktoloģiskajiem datiem, identificēt nozīmīgākās biznesa pārvaldības problēmas uzņēmumā un izstrādāt priekšlikumus to pilnveidošanai. Darba uzdevumi: 1.Analizēt zinātnisko un speciālo nozares literatūru un dažādus citus avotus par biznesa procesa vadīšanas svarīgākajiem kritērijiem. 2.Analizēt un pētīt atsevišķu Latvijas uzņēmumu pieredzi biznesa procesu pārvaldībā. 3.Veikt SIA “SUMMUS” darbības analīzi, lai noskaidrotu biznesa procesu pārvaldības veiksmes un neveiksmes faktorus. 4.Analizēt un izvērtēt LEAN sistēmas ieviešanu SIA “SUMMUS” biznesa procesu pārvaldībā. 5.Apkopot pētījuma secinājumus un izstrādāt priekšlikumus SIA “SUMMUS” biznesa procesu pārvaldības pilnveidošanai. Darbs sastāv no: ievada, 6 nodaļām un 25 apakšnodaļām, kurās ietverti 13 attēli un 10 tabulas, secinājumu un priekšlikumu daļas. Pētījums balstās uz 29 avotu analīzes. Tā pirmajā nodaļā: ir analizēts profesionālās kompetences jēdziens – viens no kvalitatīva biznesa procesu vadīšanas svarīgākajiem kritērijiem. Analizēta vadības teorija un veikta vadītāja kompetenču analīze. Otrajā nodaļā: aprakstīti biznesa rīki un to izmantošana biznesa procesu vadīšanā. Trešajā nodaļā: analizēta krājuma pārvaldība, jo to efektīva pārvaldība ļauj samazināt uzglabāšanas izmaksas un izbrīvēt daļu no kapitāla, ko var izmantot citu aktīvu veidošanai, kas nozīmīga biznesa procesu pārvaldības pilnveidošanai. Ceturtajā nodaļā: veikta uzņēmuma SIA „SUMMUS” darbības analīze, noteikti konkurētspējas kritēriji, uzņēmuma kvantitatīvie rādītāji, kā arī analizēta iekšējā un ārējā vide. Piektajā nodaļā: analizēta LEAN sistēmas ieviešana uzņēmuma biznesa procesa pārvaldības pilnveidošanai. Sestajā nodaļā: analizēta krājumu pārvaldības rīku ieviešana uzņēmuma biznesa procesu pārvaldībai. Rezultātā: pētījums ir nozīmīgs uzņēmumam SIA „SUMMUS”, lai noskaidrotu biznesa procesu pārvaldības veiksmes un neveiksmes faktorus, analizētu un izvērtētu LEAN sistēmas ieviešanu SIA “SUMMUS” biznesa procesu pārvaldības pilnveidošanai. Darba apjoms: 67 lpp. Darba izstrādei izmantoti: vadības teoriju zinātniskā un ekonomiskā literatūra, LR Centrālās statistikas pārvaldes dati, Lursoft datubāze, uzņēmuma gada pārskati, interneta resursi, nepublicētie uzņēmuma materiāli. Atslēgas vārdi: uzņēmums, vadīšana, biznesa process, biznesa rīki, krājumu pārvaldība, sistēmas ieviešana, procesu pilnveidošana.Author of the paper: Mareks Gibarts Theme of the paper: Improvement of the governance of business processes at SIA "Summus" Study program: professional bachelor's study program “Business and Management”. Consultant of the paper: Mg. psych., lecturer Ruta Karloviča Aim of the research: Based on available theoretical sources, field literature and factual data from SUMMUS Ltd., identify most important business management problems in the company and make proposals for their improvement. Tasks of the research: 1.Analyze scientific and specialized field literature and various other sources about most important criteria of business process management; 2.Analyze and research experience of several Latvian companies in business process management; 3.Perform SUMMUS Ltd. activity analysis to clarify business process management success and failure factors; 4.Analyze and evaluate implementation of LEAN system in SUMMUS Ltd. business process management; 5.Summarize conclusions of the research and develop proposals for improvement of business process management in SUMMUS Ltd.. Research consists of: introduction, 6 chapters and 25 subsections, which includes 13 pictures and 10 tables, conclusions and suggestions. The study is based on 29 source analysis. First chapter: analyzes the concept of professional competence - one of the most important criteria of qualitative business process management. Management theory is analyzed and manager competencies are analyzed. Second chapter: describes business tools and their use in business process management. Third chapter: analyzes inventory management, because effective management of it allows you to reduce storage costs and free up part of the capital, that can be used to generate other assets, that are important for improving business process management. Fourth chapter: performed analysis of performance of SUMMUS Ltd., established competitiveness criteria, quantitative indicators of the company, as well as internal and external environment are being analysed. Fifth chapter: analyzes the implementation of LEAN system in company’s business process management development. Sixth chapter: analyzes the implementation of inventory management tools in the development of enterprise business process management. In conclusion: research is important to SUMMUS Ltd., to determine business process management success and failure factors and to analyze and evaluate the implementation of LEAN system for SUMMUS Ltd. business process management development. Volume of the paper: 67 pages Used in paper development: scientific and economic literature on management theory, data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia, Lursoft database, annual reports of companies, resources in internet, unpublished company’s documents. Key words: company, business processes, management, business tools, inventory management, implementation of system, process development