Framework for a New Wave of IT-Enabled Business Process Transformations

Abstract

Consolidation of disruptive techonologies such as 3D printing, Big Data, Cloud Computing, the Internet of Things and Cyber-Physical Systems have led to the advent of the Industry 4.0 revolution. As a consequence, a new wave of automation and IT-enabled process transformations is coming. We find Business Process Reengineering/Redesign (BPR) remaining as a conceptual reference for fundamental rethinking and redesign of business processes. Stemming from the identification of the insufficiencies of reference frameworks to characterize the different types of business process changes, we propose a new conceptual framework: the IT-Enabled Business Process Transformation Matrix. The horizontal axis of the matrix represents the scope of the change, whereas the vertical axis represents the degree of transformation. Some examples illustrate its practical interest and flexibility to incorporate a great variety of process transformations based on technological innovations.