Title: Business process management: from a critical review to a contemporary ontological entity

Authors: George Tsakalidis; Kostas Vergidis

Addresses: Department of Applied Informatics, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, 54636, Greece ' Department of Applied Informatics, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, 54636, Greece

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to explore the theoretical foundations of the business process domain and to propose a conceptual unified and agile approach. The authors undertake a systematic examination of literature from a critical perspective on key business process aspects, introduced by the most influential approaches based on their citation impact. The review and interpretation of established business process aspects lead to a conceptual ontological entity with clear boundaries and interrelated components that supports continuous modification of its design. Following, a similar analysis of BPM definitions and life-cycles results in matching the most frequently occurring cycle steps on specific components of the proposed structure, thus, bridging the gap between business process and BPM life-cycle models. Overall, the approach aims to clarify and connect core business process aspects and assist organisations in apprehending the various life-cycle stages towards utilising appropriate and adaptive tools and phases.

Keywords: business process management; BPM life-cycle; context awareness; critical review.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBPIM.2020.117151

International Journal of Business Process Integration and Management, 2020 Vol.10 No.2, pp.148 - 161

Accepted: 02 Nov 2019
Published online: 19 Aug 2021 *

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