International Journal of Business Process Integration and Management (13 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Operation of selected processes in SMEs.  
  by Monika Březinová 
  Abstract: Processes and process management are an important part of corporate management. The paper presents a comparison of the developments at the level of functioning of selected processes in SMEs in the South Bohemian region for the period of three years. It describes the process both in general and in the division of the selected sectors: trade, services, construction, and manufacturing. If we evaluate the entire sample examined in the period, we can say that business is focused on increasing the level of functioning of the production process, which increased from 70 to 90%. Minimal or no change was observed in the processes of finance (80% in both years) and marketing (73%). The process of HR decreased the level of functioning from 80 to 76%.
  Keywords: management; SME; process; production; marketing; finance; human resources management.
  
  
• CA4BPS: an end-to-end context-based approach for business process socialisation  
  by Fadwa Yahya, Khouloud Boukadi, Zakaria Maamar, Hanêne Ben Abdallah 
  Abstract: Todays enterprises seek innovative ways that would help them to demystify the social relations that exist between them and their stakeholders. To this end, these enterprises have been looking into integrating Web 2.0 into their Business Processes (BP) to develop Social Business Processes (SBP). Evidently, an enterprise cannot socialise all its BPs for reasons related to security and feasibility (e.g., technical and financial). This paper proposes an end-to-end approach to assist enterprises in socialising BPs. The approach builds on enterprise architecture to define contextual elements that would guide the socialisation exercise. It uses the analytic hierarchical process to assess the eligibility of BPs to socialisation based on these elements. It also embraces model-driven architecture to model and implement the socialised BPs. The preliminary evaluation of the approach shows encouraging results.
  Keywords: business process; analytic hierarchical process; enterprise architecture; model-driven architecture; social business process; Web 2.0.
  
  
• Formal semantics and transformation of BPMN models  
  by Toufik Messaoud Maarouk, Elkamel Merah, Sara Ghaoui, Nihed Rahabi 
  Abstract: Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) represents an industrial standard created in order to provide a graphical semi-formal notation that is readily understandable by all business users, from the business analyst to the technical developers, and, finally, to the business people who will manage those processes. However, BPMN models are expressed in a semi-formal modelling language and need a well-defined formal semantics base for their notations. This formalisation enables analysis and verification tasks. Some efforts have been made to transform BPMN models into formal representations, including Petri nets, but, to the best of our knowledge, no work has been done for transforming BPMN models into a language that supports a true concurrency semantics: DD-LOTOS. The DD-LOTOS language is defined for the formal specification of distributed real-time systems and has been defined on a semantic model of true concurrency. The main goal of this paper is to propose a formal semantics for a subset of BPMN defined in terms of DD-LOTOS code. The paper also proposes a model transformation approach to generate DD-LOTOS code from BPMN models. This approach has been implemented using Eclipse Sirius and Eclipse Acceleo. Two well-known case studies are given to illustrate the transformation.
  Keywords: BPMN; business process; formal semantics; true concurrency; meta-modelling; model transformation; DD-LOTOS.
  
  
• Deriving strategic information for software development processes using provenance data and ontology techniques  
  by Gabriella Costa, Cláudia Werner, Regina Braga, Humberto Dalpra, Marco Araújo, Victor Stroele 
  Abstract: Processes improvement is a key feature to achieve quality in products. The investments in defining and refining an organisation's processes are always a concern. This fact also occurs in the software development processes domain. A practice considered to support the continuous improvement of software processes is the reuse of knowledge acquired in previous executions. After defining measures to assess the software processes performance (e.g., time and productivity), an analysis of process data can be carried out to derive implicit information from the software process. A way to capture this data is by using provenance models. Then, process provenance data can be analysed by using mechanisms to derive new information, such as inference engines, to obtain implicit information that can contribute to process improvement. The main goal of this work is to define, implement and evaluate the iSPuP (improving Software Process using Provenance) approach to support the phases of execution, monitoring, analysis, and feedback of processes to derive strategic information that can be used to improve software process in future executions. The iSPuP approach is specified to deliver strategic information using data provenance from processes and ontologies. All the steps taken and related technologies to achieve the objective are detailed in this paper. An evaluation was carried out with two Brazilian software development companies. The results have shown initial evidence that the iSPuP approach can derive strategic information. The evaluation has revealed that by using provenance data and ontologies, the iSPuP could provide strategic information and the project manager will be able to use this information for improving process performance runtime, according to defined process metrics. Therefore, this work presents, as contributions, an approach to derive strategic information that can help to improve software process based on provenance data and ontology, as well as an initial iSPuP evaluation with two Brazilian companies.
  Keywords: software development process; process strategic information; process improvement; data provenance; ontology; web semantics.
  
  
• Total quality management and organisational performance: the mediating role of market orientation  
  by Abdullah Kaid Al-Swidi, Gaboul Faiz, Hamid Gelaidan 
  Abstract: The main objective of this study was to investigate the mediating link of Market Orientation (MO) on the relationship between Total Quality Management (TQM) and Organisational Performance (OP). To achieve the objective of this study, a survey questionnaire was distributed to 350 people of managerial positions in Libyan bank branches. Of these, 230 questionnaires were returned. The data were then analysed using Structural Equation Modelling Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) approach to confirm the validity and reliability of the measures, before undertaking hypotheses testing analysis. The results of this study revealed that TQM has a positive and significant effect on market orientation and organisational performance. More importantly, the results have also confirmed the mediating effect of MO between TQM and organisational performance. This might explains better the competitive power of companies adopting TQM strategy to outperform their rivals in the market.
  Keywords: total quality management; market orientation; organisational performance; banks; Libya.
  
  
• KIPN: a visual notation for knowledge-intensive processes  
  by Joanne Netto, Tatiana Barboza, Fernanda Baião, Flavia Santoro 
  Abstract: Modelling Knowledge-intensive Processes (KiP) is not an easy task, owing to their essential characteristics of being unstructured, based on social interactions, experience and intentions of the actors involved. The Knowledge-intensive Process Ontology (KiPO) provides a structural conceptualisation for KiPs, precisely specifying all concepts and relations that are necessary to make a KiP explicit. However, KiPO does not provide a graphical notation, which is crucial for organisation managers, as well as process managers, modellers and executors. Some visual notations exist for the visual representation of KiP, but they miss at least one of these relevant features in the KiP representation. In this paper, we propose a notation for modelling KiP: the Knowledge-intensive Process Notation (KiPN), which is based on the principles of the theory of visual notations to develop the cognitive efficacy of a visual representation. The evaluation of KiPN indicates the cognitive effectiveness and perceived usefulness of KiPN.
  Keywords: knowledge-intensive process; visual notation; process modelling; conceptual modelling; cognitive effectiveness.
  
  
• Robotic process automation: assessment of the technology for transformation of business processes  
  by Sourav Dey, Arindam Das 
  Abstract: We examine how Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can be deployed as a technology solution in business processes and services as a transformation lever beyond traditional business process management and outsourcing. RPA is a new breed of software that allows for enterprise-wide automation of repetitive business processes, with the promise of potential FTE savings, better service quality and improved service delivery. Through an extensive survey of practitioners involved with RPA, this exploratory research identifies the motivation and challenges of RPA implementation as envisaged by the user communities. We also find the complementary perspectives of RPA product development communities. Consequently, we recommend ways to align the perspectives of the user communities and the developer communities to enable definitive value creation for the organisations. The findings and recommendations would help practitioners who develop RPA products or adopt these products in their IT ecosystems.
  Keywords: business process management; process reengineering; robotic process automation; software product development.
  
  
• Process innovation in information systems research: a missing exploration  
  by Jürgen Moormann, Yevgen Bogodistov 
  Abstract: In times of digitalisation, competitive pressure on a global scale, and customers increasing power, companies efforts to improve their business processes became mandatory. However, simple improvements of the processes might not be sufficient often a development of completely new processes is necessary. Therefore, the focus has to be shifted towards process innovation to be able to cope with new technologies, start-ups and even with some fast-changing traditional enterprises. This paper examines the state-of-the-art of research in the field of process innovation and presents a multidisciplinary literature review of top academic journals covering a period of more than 10 years (20052015). The review focuses on research methods applied in papers dedicated to the process innovation concept. The method of analysis and the conclusions derived concerning the maturity of the concept of process innovation prepare a basis for future process innovation theory.
  Keywords: process innovation; process innovation theory; process management; information systems.
  
  
• Adaptive support for execution of long running workflows  
  by Milton Souza Junior, Nelson Rosa, Fernando Lins 
  Abstract: Long running workflow (LRW) is a particular type of workflow whose central aspect is the considerable amount of time needed to produce results. The long duration of LRWs increases the probability of occurrence of events such as changes in the business rules or interruption of services associated with workflow activities. These events can lead to problems such as the loss of intermediary results or the complete reprocessing of activities. The inclusion of adaptive capabilities in LRW execution environments helps to avoid these problems. Existing solutions usually present adaptive skills limited to only replacing services at runtime. In this context, this paper presents E-LONGWisE, an LRW execution environment that incorporates features such as quiescence, data and state management associated with a scenario-based analysis to plan the necessary adaptations of workflows. An experimental evaluation was carried out to assess these adaptive aspects present in E-LONGWisE and demonstrated performance gains running LRWs in the environment.
  Keywords: long running workflows; business process automation; adaptive systems; service oriented computing; workflow execution environments; quiescence; OSGi; workflows state management; workflows data management; services orchestration.
  
  
• Critical analysis of factors impacting trust and opportunism in agri-food supply chains: the case of tomatoes in the Northern Tanzania  
  by Martin Dome, Sadananda Prusty 
  Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to critically analyse factors impacting trust (and opportunism) in the tomato supply chain in the Arusha region of Tanzania. The study had two objectives, which lead to the proposition that willingness or existence of collaborative relationships in the supply chain, coupled with willingness/existence of sharing physical or information resources among the partners, influence trust and subsequently determine the extent of opportunism. The study adopted a multiple case research design involving several actors in the chain. The data were collected using a questionnaire. The study found that collaboration with inputs retailers, collaboration with tomato farmers, risk sharing with other partners and sharing of physical resources with other partners have the highest impacts on trust. Thus, opportunism would increase if good business practices to foster trust as recommended are not adopted as stipulated in the listed factors and vice versa. Other factors, such as culture and regional specific variables, may have impacts on trust and opportunism, thus constituting an area for further research.
  Keywords: tomato supply chain; trust; opportunism; agri-food supply chain; collaboration; supply chain relationship; trust in supply chain relationships; opportunistic behaviour in supply chain relationships.
  
  
• Towards a framework for the successful implementation of a government cloud in Saudi Arabia  
  by Amal Alkhlewi, Robert Walters, Gary Wills 
  Abstract: Despite the effort and copious resources Saudi Arabia is investing in its transition towards e-government, it is hindered by the weakness of the information and communication technology infrastructure in its government agencies. The development of a private government cloud is a solution for improving and standardising the ICT infrastructure, but cloud computing is still in the early stages in the country. To effectively implement a private government cloud in Saudi Arabia it is necessary to identify the factors that will affect its success. Therefore, this research identifies the critical success factors for the implementation of a government cloud, and based on these factors, a framework for the successful implementation of a government cloud (FSIGC) in Saudi Arabia was developed and confirmed by a methodological triangulation .
  Keywords: cloud computing; government cloud; e-Government; critical success factors.
  
  
• Development of a performance measurement framework for home furniture delivery and assembly logistics providers in Thailand  
  by Suratin Tunyaplin, Wirachchaya Chanpuypetch 
  Abstract: Currently, the world's largest furniture retailer, IKEA, is expanding its stores around the world, including in Thailand. This brand has an extraordinary characteristic that distinguishes it from other furniture retailers: customers can tailor their products for assembly through the concept of Do It Yourself. Accordingly, a last-mile delivery service provider must be capable of providing both home delivery and complex assembly services to the end customers. Besides, the last mile is often less efficient, comprising up to 28% of the total cost to move goods. It has become known as the 'last mile problem'. Therefore, this article proposes a performance measurement model (PMM) for last-mile home furniture delivery and assembly services (HoFurDAS). The model is developed empirically based on the case study of a service provider that has been outsourced by IKEAs branch in Bangkok, Thailand. Initially, the current process workflow is standardised by mapping using the well-known operations process reference model, the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model that derived the important performance indicators. By enhancing the proposed PMM, all the identified metrics are also prioritised by performing pair-wise comparisons through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and application with the operational data of the case. This PMM benefits a home delivery and assembly service provider for monitoring and controlling the quality of service to gain customer satisfaction and to maintain a good reputation with business partners.
  Keywords: performance measurement system; last-mile delivery; supply chain operations reference; home furniture delivery and assembly services; furniture supply chain; analytic hierarchy process.
  
  
• The influence of ICT adoption on the development of managerial modes of consulting firms in France  
  by Nizar Raissi, Henda Matoussi 
  Abstract: This study seeks to understand the nature of relationships between components of information and communications technology (ICT) adoption and managerial modes. The paper focuses on the experience of consulting firms, and how they perceived the role of ICT tools on the fashion. Participants in this study consisted of 30 consultants of a major consulting firm in France. The analysis was conducted with qualitative method, which is the correspondence factor analysis (CFA) using SPSS software. From the study, firstly, we found that reengineering was influenced by the internet, software and website access more than other ICT tools. Secondly, the innovation has a high correlation with communications technology. Thirdly, the coaching connects more with EDI, cloud computing, transactions and data. Finally, partnership as managerial fashion determinants has very strong relationships with hardware and procedures.
  Keywords: ICT; managerial modes; EDI; cloud computing; coaching; reengineering.