Improving business processes with business process modelling notation and business process execution language: an action research approach

Abstract

The first purpose of this paper is to improve business processes in an industrial firm with business process modelling notation (BPMN) and business process execution language (BPEL). The second purpose is to provide a scientific approach for bringing business analysts and IT professionals together in a framework of an action research (AR). The research is conducted in one of the biggest distribution companies in Iran. BPMN is applied to model as-is and to-be situations of sale and distribution process. Both as-is and to-be models were simulated to compare their performance indexes. Moreover, models were implemented using BPEL, so that the model can be used for automating and improving the process. In this study, AR methodology was used to find a resolution of an organisational issue with those who experience this issue directly and to improve scientific knowledge and real-life contexts simultaneously.