Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Business & Information Systems Engineering 6/2021

23-03-2021 | Research Paper

A Typology of Business Process Standardization Strategies

Authors: Kanika Goel, Wasana Bandara, Guy Gable

Published in: Business & Information Systems Engineering | Issue 6/2021

Log in

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

Business Process Standardization (BPS) is a strategy for improved efficiency and effectiveness of business processes. However, BPS approaches are known to vary much in practice, can consume inordinate time and resources, and are ill-understood. This study applies an exploratory analysis of BPS literature to identify alternative BPS strategies. The analysis identified three key decision-points when strategizing: (i) Approach to standardization (Bottom-up or Top-down), (ii) Choice of Master Process (Internal Exemplar, Internal Best-of-Breed, or External Exemplar), and (iii) Optimization of the Master Process (Yes or No). These alternative choices, in combination, yield 12 BPS strategies, which are described herein and instantiated by mapping 21 published BPS cases against the 12 strategy types. The resulting typology of BPS strategies can serve as a useful tool for researchers investigating BPS and may provide insight for practitioners when considering an appropriate BPS strategy, or in better understanding their existing implicit or explicit strategy.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Show more products
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Footnotes
1
Although BPS can be seen as an overarching process management approach, in this paper when we refer to BPS, we refer to the standardization of specific processes. This is described further in Sect. 2, where we define the concept and related contexts.
 
2
BPMN stands for ‘Business Process Model and Notation’ and is the de-facto process modeling standard (Chinosi and Trombetta 2012; OMG 2011).
 
3
A ‘narrative’ literature review “attempts to identify what has been written on a subject or topic” (Paré et al. 2015, p. 185).
 
4
A ‘theoretical’ review, “draws on existing conceptual and empirical studies to provide a context for identifying, describing, and transforming into a higher order of theoretical structure and various concepts, constructs or relationships” (Paré et al., 2015, p. 188).
 
5
Unlike a taxonomy, a typology does not provide decision rules for classifying, but rather identifies multiple ideal types, each of which represents a unique combination of the pertinent attributes that are believed to determine the relevant outcome(s) (Doty and Glick, 1994).
 
Literature
go back to reference Asatiani A, Penttinen E (2016) Turning robotic process automation into commercial success – Case OpusCapita. J Inf Technol Teach Cases 6(2):67–74CrossRef Asatiani A, Penttinen E (2016) Turning robotic process automation into commercial success – Case OpusCapita. J Inf Technol Teach Cases 6(2):67–74CrossRef
go back to reference Bandara W, Furtmueller E, Miskon S, Beekhuyzen J (2015) Achieving rigor in literature reviews: insights from qualitative data analysis and tool-support. Commun Assoc Inf Syst 34(8):154–204 Bandara W, Furtmueller E, Miskon S, Beekhuyzen J (2015) Achieving rigor in literature reviews: insights from qualitative data analysis and tool-support. Commun Assoc Inf Syst 34(8):154–204
go back to reference Bolstorff P, Rosenbaum RG (2007) Supply chain excellence: a handbook for dramatic improvement using the SCOR model. American Management Association, New York Bolstorff P, Rosenbaum RG (2007) Supply chain excellence: a handbook for dramatic improvement using the SCOR model. American Management Association, New York
go back to reference Chinosi M, Trombetta A (2012) BPMN: an introduction to the standard. Comput Standards Interf 34(1):124–134CrossRef Chinosi M, Trombetta A (2012) BPMN: an introduction to the standard. Comput Standards Interf 34(1):124–134CrossRef
go back to reference Collier D, LaPorte J, Seawright J (2012) Putting typologies to work: concept formation, measurement, and analytic rigor. Political Res Q 65(1):217–232CrossRef Collier D, LaPorte J, Seawright J (2012) Putting typologies to work: concept formation, measurement, and analytic rigor. Political Res Q 65(1):217–232CrossRef
go back to reference Dai Q, Kauffman RJ, Wang B (2011) The value of IT-enabled business process standardization from the real options perspective. In: Sharman R et al (eds) Exploring the Grand Challenges for Next Generation E-Business: 8th Workshop on E-Business, WEB 2009, Phoenix, Revised Selected Papers. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 160–165 Dai Q, Kauffman RJ, Wang B (2011) The value of IT-enabled business process standardization from the real options perspective. In: Sharman R et al (eds) Exploring the Grand Challenges for Next Generation E-Business: 8th Workshop on E-Business, WEB 2009, Phoenix, Revised Selected Papers. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 160–165
go back to reference Davenport TH, Short JE (1990) The new industrial engineering: information technology and business process redesign. Sloan Manag Rev 31(4):11–27 Davenport TH, Short JE (1990) The new industrial engineering: information technology and business process redesign. Sloan Manag Rev 31(4):11–27
go back to reference Doty DH, Glick WH (1994) Typologies as a unique form of theory building: toward improved understanding and modeling. Academy of Management. The Academy of Management Review 19(2):230 Doty DH, Glick WH (1994) Typologies as a unique form of theory building: toward improved understanding and modeling. Academy of Management. The Academy of Management Review 19(2):230
go back to reference Dumas M, Rosa ML, Mendling J, Reijers HA (2013) Fundamentals of business process management. Springer, HeidelbergCrossRef Dumas M, Rosa ML, Mendling J, Reijers HA (2013) Fundamentals of business process management. Springer, HeidelbergCrossRef
go back to reference Fereday J, Muir-Cochrane E (2008) Demonstrating rigor using thematic analysis: a hybrid approach of inductive and deductive coding and theme development. Int J Qual Methods 5(1):1–11 Fereday J, Muir-Cochrane E (2008) Demonstrating rigor using thematic analysis: a hybrid approach of inductive and deductive coding and theme development. Int J Qual Methods 5(1):1–11
go back to reference Ganly D (2019) Deliver ERP Value by using both process standardization and best practices. Gartner, Stamford Ganly D (2019) Deliver ERP Value by using both process standardization and best practices. Gartner, Stamford
go back to reference Goel K (2018) Potential role of business process standardization (BPS) on business correspondent (BC) model success. (Monograph), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane Goel K (2018) Potential role of business process standardization (BPS) on business correspondent (BC) model success. (Monograph), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
go back to reference Goel K, Bandara W (2016) An understanding of business process standardization. In: Proceedings of the 30th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management, Brisbane Goel K, Bandara W (2016) An understanding of business process standardization. In: Proceedings of the 30th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management, Brisbane
go back to reference Gregor S (2006) The nature of theory in information systems. MIS Q 30(3):611–642CrossRef Gregor S (2006) The nature of theory in information systems. MIS Q 30(3):611–642CrossRef
go back to reference ISO (1996) Standardization and related activities — General vocabulary. International Organization for Standardization, International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva ISO (1996) Standardization and related activities — General vocabulary. International Organization for Standardization, International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva
go back to reference Ji K, Pultz JE (2016) Optimizing I&O costs in China. Gartner, Stamford Ji K, Pultz JE (2016) Optimizing I&O costs in China. Gartner, Stamford
go back to reference Kwon S-W (2008) Does the standardization process matter? A study of cost effectiveness in hospital drug formularies. Manag Sci 54(6):1065–1079CrossRef Kwon S-W (2008) Does the standardization process matter? A study of cost effectiveness in hospital drug formularies. Manag Sci 54(6):1065–1079CrossRef
go back to reference Li C, Reichert M, Wombacher A (2010) The MinAdept clustering approach for discovering reference process models out of process variants. Int J Coop Inf Syst 19(03n04):159–203 Li C, Reichert M, Wombacher A (2010) The MinAdept clustering approach for discovering reference process models out of process variants. Int J Coop Inf Syst 19(03n04):159–203
go back to reference Manrodt KB, Vitasek K (2004) Glocal process standardization: a case study. J Bus Logist 25(1):1–23CrossRef Manrodt KB, Vitasek K (2004) Glocal process standardization: a case study. J Bus Logist 25(1):1–23CrossRef
go back to reference Mendling J, Weber I, van der Aalst W et al (2018) Blockchains for business process management-challenges and opportunities. ACM Trans Manag Inf Syst 9(1):1–16CrossRef Mendling J, Weber I, van der Aalst W et al (2018) Blockchains for business process management-challenges and opportunities. ACM Trans Manag Inf Syst 9(1):1–16CrossRef
go back to reference Muenstermann B (2015) State of the art of BPS research business process standardization: a multi-methodological analysis of drivers and consequences. IGI Global, Hershey, pp 29–118CrossRef Muenstermann B (2015) State of the art of BPS research business process standardization: a multi-methodological analysis of drivers and consequences. IGI Global, Hershey, pp 29–118CrossRef
go back to reference Muenstermann B, Eckhardt A, Weitzel T (2009) Join the standard forces – Examining the combined impact of process and data standards on business process performance. In: Proceedings of the 42nd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1109/HICSS.2009.280 Muenstermann B, Eckhardt A, Weitzel T (2009) Join the standard forces – Examining the combined impact of process and data standards on business process performance. In: Proceedings of the 42nd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1109/​HICSS.​2009.​280
go back to reference Muenstermann B, Moederer P, Weitzel T (2010b) Setting up and managing business process standardization: insights from a case study with a multinational e-commerce firm. In: Proceedings of the 43rd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1109/HICSS.2010.477 Muenstermann B, Moederer P, Weitzel T (2010b) Setting up and managing business process standardization: insights from a case study with a multinational e-commerce firm. In: Proceedings of the 43rd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1109/​HICSS.​2010.​477
go back to reference Munoz-Gama J (2016) Conformance checking and diagnosis in process mining. Springer, HeidelbergCrossRef Munoz-Gama J (2016) Conformance checking and diagnosis in process mining. Springer, HeidelbergCrossRef
go back to reference Paré G, Trudel M-C, Jaana M, Kitsiou S (2015) Synthesizing information systems knowledge: a typology of literature reviews. Inf Manag 52(2):183–199CrossRef Paré G, Trudel M-C, Jaana M, Kitsiou S (2015) Synthesizing information systems knowledge: a typology of literature reviews. Inf Manag 52(2):183–199CrossRef
go back to reference Rahimi F, Møller C, Hvam L (2016) Succeeding in process standardization. Bus Process Manag J 22(6):1212–1246CrossRef Rahimi F, Møller C, Hvam L (2016) Succeeding in process standardization. Bus Process Manag J 22(6):1212–1246CrossRef
go back to reference Rehse J-R, Hake P, Fettke P, Loos P (2016) Inductive reference model development: recent results and current challenges. In: Mayr HC (ed) Informatik 2016, Springer, Heidelberg Rehse J-R, Hake P, Fettke P, Loos P (2016) Inductive reference model development: recent results and current challenges. In: Mayr HC (ed) Informatik 2016, Springer, Heidelberg
go back to reference Rehse J-R, Fettke P, Loos P (2017) A graph-theoretic method for the inductive development of reference process models. Softw Syst Modeling 16(3):833–873CrossRef Rehse J-R, Fettke P, Loos P (2017) A graph-theoretic method for the inductive development of reference process models. Softw Syst Modeling 16(3):833–873CrossRef
go back to reference Romano R (2004) The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the making of quack corporate governance. Yale Law J 114:1521 Romano R (2004) The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the making of quack corporate governance. Yale Law J 114:1521
go back to reference Rosenkranz C, Seidel S, Mendling J, Schaefermeyer M, Recker J (2010) Towards a framework for business process standardization. In: Rinderle-Ma S et al (eds) Business Process Management Workshops, Ulm. Revised Papers, Springer, Heidelberg, pp 53–63CrossRef Rosenkranz C, Seidel S, Mendling J, Schaefermeyer M, Recker J (2010) Towards a framework for business process standardization. In: Rinderle-Ma S et al (eds) Business Process Management Workshops, Ulm. Revised Papers, Springer, Heidelberg, pp 53–63CrossRef
go back to reference Saldana J (2012) The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Sage, Thousand Oaks Saldana J (2012) The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Sage, Thousand Oaks
go back to reference Schäfermeyer M, Rosenkranz C, Holten R (2012) The Impact of business process complexity on business process standardization. Bus Inf Syst Eng 4(5):261–270CrossRef Schäfermeyer M, Rosenkranz C, Holten R (2012) The Impact of business process complexity on business process standardization. Bus Inf Syst Eng 4(5):261–270CrossRef
go back to reference Scholta H, Niemann M, Delfmann P, Räckers M, Becker J (2019) Semi-automatic inductive construction of reference process models that represent best practices in public administrations: a method. Inf Syst 84:63–87CrossRef Scholta H, Niemann M, Delfmann P, Räckers M, Becker J (2019) Semi-automatic inductive construction of reference process models that represent best practices in public administrations: a method. Inf Syst 84:63–87CrossRef
go back to reference Ungan MC (2006) Standardization through process documentation. Bus Process Manag J 12(2):135–148CrossRef Ungan MC (2006) Standardization through process documentation. Bus Process Manag J 12(2):135–148CrossRef
go back to reference van Wessel R, Ribbers P, de Vries H (2006, 04–07 Jan. 2006) Effects of IS standardization on business process performance: a case in HR IS company standardization. In: Proceedings of the 39th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1109/HICSS.2006.141 van Wessel R, Ribbers P, de Vries H (2006, 04–07 Jan. 2006) Effects of IS standardization on business process performance: a case in HR IS company standardization. In: Proceedings of the 39th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1109/​HICSS.​2006.​141
go back to reference vom Brocke J (2007) Design principles for reference modeling: reusing information models by means of aggregation, specialisation, instantiation, and analogy. In: Fettke P, Loos P (eds) Reference modeling for business systems analysis. IGI Global, pp 47–76 vom Brocke J (2007) Design principles for reference modeling: reusing information models by means of aggregation, specialisation, instantiation, and analogy. In: Fettke P, Loos P (eds) Reference modeling for business systems analysis. IGI Global, pp 47–76
go back to reference Winter R, vom Brocke J, Fettke P et al (2009) Patterns in business and information systems engineering. Bus Inf Syst Eng 1(6):468CrossRef Winter R, vom Brocke J, Fettke P et al (2009) Patterns in business and information systems engineering. Bus Inf Syst Eng 1(6):468CrossRef
Metadata
Title
A Typology of Business Process Standardization Strategies
Authors
Kanika Goel
Wasana Bandara
Guy Gable
Publication date
23-03-2021
Publisher
Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
Published in
Business & Information Systems Engineering / Issue 6/2021
Print ISSN: 2363-7005
Electronic ISSN: 1867-0202
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12599-021-00693-0

Other articles of this Issue 6/2021

Business & Information Systems Engineering 6/2021 Go to the issue

Premium Partner