Cross-Organizational Workflow Management Using Blockchain Technology - Towards Applicability, Auditability, and Automation

Abstract

Bringing Blockchain technology and business process management together, we follow the Design Science Research approach and design, implement, and evaluate a Blockchain prototype for cross-organizational workflow management together with a German bank. For the use case of a documentary letter of credit we describe the status quo of the process, identify areas of improvement, implement a Blockchain solution, and compare both workflows. The prototype illustrates that the process, as of today paper-based and with high manual effort, can be significantly improved. Our research reveals that a tamper-proof process history for improved auditability, automation of manual process steps and the decentralized nature of the system can be major advantages of a Blockchain solution for cross-organizational workflow management. Further, our research provides insights how Blockchain technology can be used for business process management in general.