AI-augmented Business Process Management Systems: A Research Manifesto

2023 | ACM Transactions on Management Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Dumas, Marlon; Fournier, Fabiana; Limonad, Lior; Marrella, Andrea; Montali, Marco; Rehse, Jana-Rebecca; Accorsi, Rafael; Calvanese, Diego; De Giacomo, Giuseppe; Fahland, Dirk; Gal, Avigdor; La Rosa, Marcello; Völzer, Hagen; Weber, Ingo

Abstract: AI-augmented Business Process Management Systems (ABPMSs) are an emerging class ... Expand

Abstract: AI-augmented Business Process Management Systems (ABPMSs) are an emerging class of process-aware information systems, empowered by trustworthy AI technology. An ABPMS enhances the execution of business processes with the aim of making these processes more adaptable, proactive, explainable, and context-sensitive. This manifesto presents a vision for ABPMSs and discusses research challenges that need to be surmounted to realize this vision. To this end, we define the concept of ABPMS, we outline the lifecycle of processes within an ABPMS, we discuss core characteristics of an ABPMS, and we derive a set of challenges to realize systems with these characteristics. Collapse

Topics: artificial intelligence knowledge graph business process management business process management system

Methods: natural language processing machine learning modeling language business process model and notation business process modeling

A FRAMEWORK TO ASSESS THE SUITABILITY OF LOW-CODE FOR BPM

2023 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Sadovnikov, Kirill; Sweijen, Robbert; Werf, Jan Martijn van der; Weerd, Inge van de

Abstract: Organizations across all industries seek efficiency, digitization, and automati ... Expand

Abstract: Organizations across all industries seek efficiency, digitization, and automation of their business processes in current times. Low-code development platforms (LCDPs) promise time and cost reduction through rapid and easy-to-use application assembly. Even so, many organizations struggle to understand and identify digital solutions that can advance their business processes. Therefore, we propose a conceptual framework for organizations to assess their business process management (BPM) initiative for LCDP suitability. The framework is developed through a study of literature, a focus group, and expert interviews, resulting in 18 factors to be assessed by organizations. An evaluation using fictitious use case analyses showed that the model was well-received, especially with regard to its completeness and operationality. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work studying organizational adoption of low-code for the sake of BPM initiatives. Collapse

Topics: low code development platform business process management business process management system evaluation criteria enterprise information system

Methods: focus group qualitative interview simulation design science modeling language

Engineering Trustable and Auditable Choreography-based Systems Using Blockchain

2022 | ACM Transactions on Management Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Corradini, Flavio; Marcelletti, Alessandro; Morichetta, Andrea; Polini, Andrea; Re, Barbara; Tiezzi, Francesco

Abstract: A key challenge in engineering distributed systems consists in the integration i ... Expand

Abstract: A key challenge in engineering distributed systems consists in the integration into their development of a decentralised infrastructure allowing the system participants to trust each other. In this article, we face such a challenge by proposing a model-driven methodology and a related framework to support the engineering of trustable and auditable systems. The approach is based on choreography diagrams specified in the Business Process Model and Notation standard, describing the interactions that should occur among the distributed components of systems. We support the whole lifecycle of choreographies, from their modelling to their distributed execution and auditing. The framework, based on blockchain technology, is named ChorChain. More specifically, ChorChain takes as input a BPMN choreography model and automatically translates it into a Solidity smart contract. The smart contract permits us to enforce the interactions among the cooperating components as prescribed by the choreography model. By leveraging on the auditability of blockchain, ChorChain also supports the activity of auditors continuously. In such a way, ChorChain enables auditors to get some degree of assurance on what happens simultaneously with, or shortly after, information disclosure. We assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed methodology and framework through experiments conducted on the Rinkeby Ethereum Testnet. Collapse

Topics: blockchain smart contract Ethereum usability supply chain management

Methods: experiment modeling language business process model and notation design artifact survey

Conceptualization and Design of a Workflow Management System Front End for Augmented Reality Headsets

2022 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 5

Authors: Damarowsky, Johannes; Kühnel, Stephan

Abstract: A currently discussed approach to increase efficiency during task execution, in ... Expand

Abstract: A currently discussed approach to increase efficiency during task execution, inter alia to reduce error rates and execution times, is the utilization of headset-based augmented reality systems (HARS). Additional to direct task support, HARSes can offer workflow management and control functions. However, these are only covered very limitedly by existing design-oriented approaches. Thus, users have to resort to additional devices, decreasing efficiency, and usability. Based on a three-step systematic literature analysis and two focus groups, we present a novel tentative design theory for HARSes supporting the full range of workflow management and control functions. Our design theory consists of four design requirements and nine design principles and is the basis for a software artifact prototype. Both our tentative design theory and software artifact are formatively evaluated by a third focus group. Our contributions add to the prescriptive knowledge base of the community and may be adapted by researchers and practitioners. Collapse

Topics: augmented reality usability user interface user satisfaction extensible markup language

Methods: design artifact focus group design science design theory design principle

Robotic Process Flexibilization in the Term of Crisis: A Case Study of Robotic Process Automation in a Public Health Department

2022 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Koch, Julian; Vollenberg, Carolin; Matthies, Benjamin; Coners, André

Abstract: Due to the pandemic, institutions of the health sector, especially public healt ... Expand

Abstract: Due to the pandemic, institutions of the health sector, especially public health departments, are facing major challenges in managing their processes. In a constantly changing environment, new and existing processes have to be adopted or implemented in the shortest possible time, while the process volumes to be managed are constantly increasing. In our article, we use a case study to show how the concept of "flexibility by design" can be influenced by RPA in the sensitive environment of healthcare and how exactly flexibility in process execution can be achieved with it. As a result, we show that RPA can positively implement or enable three of the six realization options from the concept. In addition, the concept was supplemented by two aggregated theoretical dimensions, namely "Response" and "Range," which summarize the supporting conditions for a process flexibilization with RPA. In the article, we thereby show how exactly RPA can complement existing processes in a healthcare environment and thus, serve to subsequently make rigid process models more flexible. Collapse

Topics: information technology infrastructure pandemic extract transform load process business process management robotic process automation

Methods: case study qualitative interview qualitative coding personal interview business process modeling

Low-Code Platform

2021 | Business & Information Systems Engineering | Citations: 0

Authors: Bock, Alexander C.; Frank, Ulrich

Abstract: ... Expand

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Topics: low code development platform enterprise information system business process management system innovation management graphical user interface

Methods: conceptual modelling reference modelling literature study design artifact cross sectional research

OrgMiner: A Framework for Discovering User-Related Process Intelligence from Event Logs

2021 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 0

Authors: Deokar, Amit V.; Tao, Jie

Abstract: Process Intelligence refers to the extraction and analysis of valuable knowledge ... Expand

Abstract: Process Intelligence refers to the extraction and analysis of valuable knowledge nuggets embedded in business process instances/event logs or enterprise applications, for the purpose of supporting various decision-making processes. Researchers and practitioners mine such event logs using Process Mining and Analytics (PMA) techniques that help analyze business processes across three perspectives: control flow, organization, and data. While previous PMA studies have made advances toward the control flow and data flow perspectives, there is limited research toward the organizational perspective of process intelligence. In this study, we propose an organizational mining framework, OrgMiner, that supports constructing organizational models from event logs. The framework utilizes the notion of behavioral patterns, which rely on the weak order relations appearing in event logs. The various modules and knowledge elements in the framework are described in detail. The components of the framework support identifying, selecting, and applying behavioral patterns using different metrics for organizational mining purposes. The derived organizational models can be used to support decision making in scenarios such as task assignment, resource allocation, as well as role-based access control. Compared to extant studies, the proposed approach does not assume prior availability of explicit process models. Additionally, the process patterns presented in this study can be used as building blocks, so that researchers and practitioners can use them directly or extend them further to identify complex organizational processes. A case study is presented to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the OrgMiner framework. Collapse

Topics: resource allocation business process management organization structure mobile system internet of things

Methods: event log computational algorithm case study business process modeling cluster analysis

Process Automation on the Blockchain: An Exploratory Case Study on Smart Contracts

2021 | HICSS | Citations: 10

Authors: Eggers, Julia; Hein, Andreas; Weking, Jörg; Böhm, Markus; Krcmar, Helmut

Abstract: While business process automation through information technology has progressed ... Expand

Abstract: While business process automation through information technology has progressed over the last decades, smart contracts have recently emerged as a promising new means of automation. However, in practice, the adoption of smart contract-based automation is in its infancy, raising the question if the technology genuinely offers a unique approach to process automation. Drawing on an exploratory case study of four start-ups, we investigate the potentials for automation that organizations achieve through smart contracts and how smart contracts differ from established automation technologies, such as workflow management systems, enterprise resource planning systems, androboticprocess automation. We contribute to the literature on process automation by unveiling transparent and immutable, crossorganizational, and decentralized automation as characteristics that differentiate smart contracts from established automation technologies. Besides, we provide practitioners with an understanding of application scenarios, potentials, and drawbacks of smart contracts for process automation. Collapse

Topics: smart contract process automation system business process automation enterprise resource planning blockchain

Methods: case study business process modeling qualitative interview archival research

Enterprise Blockchains minitrack

2021 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Krcmar, Helmut; Hein, Andreas; Schwabe, Gerhard; Zavolokina, Liudmila

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Topics: blockchain business process management system business process management

Methods: business process modeling qualitative interview literature study

Information technology issues and challenges of the globe: the world IT project

2021 | Information & Management | Citations: 4

Authors: Palvia, Prashant; Ghosh, Jaideep; Jacks, Tim; Serenko, Alexander

Abstract: In this research, we report the information technologies rated as important by I ... Expand

Abstract: In this research, we report the information technologies rated as important by IT professionals in thirty-seven countries of the world, thus enhancing our understanding of the global technology landscape. Past research has focused primarily on the U.S. technology issues, which although useful in the U.S. context, may not generalize to all other countries. Globally, four core technologies have been ranked high for most of the coun­ tries: networks/telecommunications, business intelligence/analytics, enterprise application integration, and mobile and wireless applications. There were also differences among countries. Statistical analyses were per­ formed to analyze the nature of these differences based on the economic level of the country and its IT infra­ structure capability. Further insights were generated by performing cluster analysis; grouping the countries into three clusters (optimizers, pragmatists, and progressives), and examining their characteristics and technology priorities. These results are useful for multinational companies, governments, and international agencies as they forge their technology strategies and make investment decisions. We also lay the foundation for ongoing research to better understand the contextual factors that explain the differences in technology priorities among nations. Collapse

Topics: IT workforce information technology infrastructure business process management system social network virtualization technology

Methods: cluster analysis survey hierarchical clustering literature study descriptive statistic

Theories: theory of economic development theory of economic growth