Teams and their Motivation for Business Process Reengineering: A Research Note

When business process reengineering (BPR) is undertaken, one of the requirements leading to its development and implementation is that of teams. There have not been many publications about the teams that are formed for undertaking BPR. This article addresses the theoretical issues surrounding such teams and attempts to provide an understanding of the role of motivation in such teams. Furthermore, an overview of the research process that is undertaken within the article is presented.     

Enabling BPR in Maintenance Through a Performance Measurement System Framework

With ever-increasing importance, plant maintenance is no more regarded as second line or non-productive activity. It is about time maintenance received due attention from various business improvement initiatives such as total quality management or business process reengineering (BPR). This paper builds on previous work by the authors that examines the role of performance measurement systems (PMS) in maintenance, with particular reference to developing a new PMS framework using the quality function deployment (QFD) technique. In the light of the fact that there is only limited evidence of BPR applications pertinent to equipment maintenance, this paper explores the use of the PMS framework to enable and guide sound BPR endeavors in maintenance. Condensed literature on BPR is presented followed by an outline of the PMS framework. The benefits of utilizing such a framework are examined with reference to BPR in maintenance. The practical implications of the findings are discussed based on a case study conducted in a local company.     

Reengineering an Information System: A Case Study in Risk Reduction

Business-process reengineering (BPR), like computer information systems development (ISD), deals primarily with process and contains only weak facilities for addressing structure and culture. Manufacturing and ISD have strong roots in the functionalist traditions of natural science, and in a cultural environment their engineering stance deals poorly with obstacles to change. While the structured, or “hard,” engineering approaches have given rise to successful developments, they have not always proved effective. In ISD, the hard engineering methods have a tendency to redefine information systems problems as problems of technical development, and similarly in engineering contexts, BPR risks becoming too focused on technical processes. However, failure to gain commitment and a sense of ownership in new processes is a cause of failure in both BPR and ISD. This article explores a case study where both technical and human issues must be addressed—the extension of student record processing within a university. In this study, the BPR requirement is seen to arise from the users of the information system rather than as an imposed managerial imperative. The use of total systems intervention (TSI) and interactive planning (IP) enabled the immediate technical problems to be separated from underlying BPR requirements and from the need to gain commitment to change. Thus, unnecessary technical effort and the risks of failure from resistance to change were avoided. From the findings of this intervention, it is argued that the wider application of TSI provides a framework within which managerially perceived needs can be translated into a grassroots commitment.     

Business Process Reengineering and Flexibility: A Case for Unification

Business process reengineering (BPR) offers a radical approach to improving the performance of an organization. However, although there have been successes BPR is recognized as a high-risk activity, prone to failure. There are a variety of reasons for this and this paper highlights one which is argued to be the lack of attention that BPR pays to flexibility and its inability to cope with a changing environment. The purpose of this article is to raise the issue of flexibility within BPR and an approach is taken that examines flexibility in other business functional areas, such as manufacturing, architecture, information systems, and organizational strategy, where there is an extensive literature that indicates the importance of flexibility. The lessons from these other areas are identified and some of the implications for BPR are highlighted. A number of proposals are made including the suggestion that a form of “flexibility analysis” be adopted as a stage in BPR projects. It is argued that this would help to move the focus of a BPR project away from the current requirements toward a longer term, more flexible, enduring set of requirements. Flexibility analysis also ensures analysis of the kinds of changes that might be required over time, and how such change could be accommodated in the reengineered processes.     

The Applications of Flexible Manufacturing Technologies in Business Process Reengineering

Through radical redesign of business processes and systems, policies, and organizational structures, the business process reengineering (BPR) effort was initiated in the manufacturing industry to seek performance breakthroughs. This paper describes a novel approach to the BPR, which applies flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs) design and analysis technologies, such as simulation, multicriteria decision support, and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies are integrated to design and analyze specific FMS models related to the proposed technical and managerial changes in an industrial case. First, the literature is reviewed to obtain an understanding of the BPR concept and the role of FMS design and analysis in BPR. Second, a decision-making support system is developed to illustrate how the FMS design and analysis would affect BPR. Finally, a summary of the integrated approach practice in industry and conclusions are presented. The paper shows that the key to a successful BPR approach is the identification and analysis of specific proposed models. It also demonstrates that the integrated approach enables engineers to improve the efficiency of BPR.     

How Radical Was IT-Enabled BPR? Evidence on Financial and Business Impacts

Many large claims have been made about the payoffs that can and must be made from business process reengineering (BPR). Information technology is usually ascribed a critical role in BPR success. There is still a shortage of detailed information on the BPR phenomenon in terms of costs and results. This paper uses data from 168 UK-based organizations surveyed in the BPR heyday (1994–1996 period) to establish the size of expenditure, types of costs, and the types and size of benefits anticipated and experienced among these organizations. The majority were found to be “aiming low and hitting low,” though there was evidence of a small minority of organizations achieving something approaching what could be described as “breakthrough” results. The reasons for these results are discussed in detail and are related to the wider literature.     

Engineering the Virtual Enterprise: An Architecture-Driven Modeling Approach

The managerial and organization practices required by an increasingly dynamic competitive manufacturing, business, and industrial environment include the formation of “virtual enterprises.” A major concern in the management of virtual enterprises is the integration and coordination of business processes contributed by partner enterprises. The traditional methods of process modeling currently used for the design of business processes do not fully support the needs of the virtual enterprise. The design of these virtual enterprises imposes requirements that make it more complex than conventional intraorganizational business process design. This paper first describes an architecture that assists in the design of the virtual enterprise. Then it discusses business process reengineering (BPR) as a methodology for modeling and designing virtual organizations. While BPR presents many useful tools, the approach itself and the modeling tools commonly used for redesign have fundamental shortcomings when dealing with the virtual enterprise. However, several innovative modeling approaches provide promise for this problem. The paper discusses some of these innovative modeling approaches, such as object-oriented modeling of business processes, agent modeling of organizational players, and the use of ontological modeling to capture and manipulate knowledge about the players and processes. The paper concludes with a conceptual modeling methodology that combines these approaches under the enterprise architecture for the design of virtual enterprises.     

A Benchmarking Method for Business-Process Reengineering and Improvement

Benchmarking assists businesses in identifying potential targets for improvement. It is the initial step a firm must undertake before planning and implementing reengineering methods to achieve higher productivity. Although several benchmarking methods have been proposed in the literature, research in this area lacks rigorous analytical tools for effective benchmarking. A benchmarking method must simultaneously analyze and integrate several key performance measures of business processes in identifying best practices. This is easier said than done because it is by no means a trivial task to blend multidimensional information in a useful and effective manner. This article proposes a benchmarking method that simultaneously considers multiple measures and aids in business process reengineering efforts of organizations. The proposed technique is based on a combination of multifactor productivity analysis, game theory, and clustering methods. These models are tested on a previously reported data set of manufacturing processes. Our results provide some very interesting insights into benchmarking practices, which when followed by firms will help in successful business process reengineering efforts.     

Explaining Industrial Symbiosis Emergence,Development, and Disruption: A Multilevel Analytical Framework

Industrial symbiosis (IS) is the process by which by‐products are revalorized and exchanged among distinct business entities. The literature suggests that IS can bring financial, social, and environmental benefits to firms and society. Analytical tools have been developed for uncovering IS arrangements and guidelines suggested for designing IS arrangements where they do not yet exist. Despite these suggested benefits and in spite of these tools, few planned IS arrangements have successfully materialized, with notable exceptions in East Asia. Understanding why IS networks emerge and expand or falter requires both macro‐ and micro‐level analysis. Some explanatory factors have been extensively covered in the IS literature, such as the important role of coordinating organizations. But the analysis of enterprise‐level actions and strategies as well as the conditions in the external environment that act on the enterprises and the network are not as well examined. The article outlines an analytical framework that draws upon insights from research on cleaner production, corporate social responsibility, diffusion of innovation, and the role of the state in development. The framework is consistent with the view that the evolution of IS networks is characterized by “equifinality.” Different networks may achieve IS as a result of quite different combinations of factors. No general theory of IS success or decline is offered because no such theory can be expected. IS emergence, development, and disruption is approached as a problem of sociohistorical analysis. For such phenomena, analytical frameworks provide a common explanatory starting point, but no predictive power.     

Evaluation of existing sustainable infrastructure rating systems for their application in developing countries

Several sustainable building rating systems were created worldwide during the last decades due to economic growth and the significance of environmental impact associated with the building industry. Similar infrastructure rating tools have started to be developed and implemented, being highly necessary to promote its development. Even though the existing sustainable infrastructure rating systems are focused on advanced economies, growing environmental concerns are increasing the need for new systems in the Developing World. This research analyses some of the mainstream infrastructure rating frameworks such as Envision (USA), Civil Engineering Environmental Quality (CEEQUAL) assessment (UK) and Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Rating Tool (Australia) from the perspective of the Triple Bottom Line (economy, environment and society), in order to determine the effectiveness of their application in the context of the least developed countries. The analysis revealed that the three tools are biased towards the environmental dimension and are mainly oriented to developed countries. Consequently, the foundations on which these systems are based need to be further developed and enhanced to be of real relevance in poorer nations by balancing the weight of sustainable pillars, incorporating effective management guidelines and development goals set by United Nations declarations, and considering impacts beyond the single project framework.     

Beyond Energy

This article is based on the first study worldwide to analyze materials present in the equipment of data centers. The study develops a methodology that allows the calculation of the number of data centers of the various size classes and their average equipment with information technology (IT) components and infrastructure elements, such as air‐conditioning systems and power supplies. This enables detailed statements to be made on the materials present in the equipment of approximately 53,000 data centers in Germany. In 2008, the total amount of materials in the equipment of data centers in Germany was 110,300 tonnes (t). IT equipment (servers, storage equipment, and network) accounted for 37,500 t (34%), racks and containments for 30,700 t (28%), cooling and air‐conditioning systems for 12,000 t (11%), and the power infrastructure for 30,000 t (27%). A comprehensive analysis of the type of materials being used yielded the following values: Approximately 58,400 t of iron, 18,600 t of copper, 11,600 t of circuit boards, 11,100 t of plastics, 7,400 t of aluminum, and 6,500 t of miscellaneous materials were present in German data centers. The electronic material contained 1.8 t of gold, 7.5 t of silver, and 0.8 t of palladium. Because it can be assumed that prices for precious metals, and also for bulk metals, will continue to rise, the recovery of raw materials from the IT devices of data centers is an interesting option. Additionally, the development of appropriate product design and recycling strategies for servers and storage units should be implemented.     

Sustainability criteria and indicators of bioenergy systems from steering,research and Finnish bioenergy business operators’ perspectives

This paper addresses the interface of steering, research, and business operators’ perspectives to bioenergy sustainability. Although bioenergy business operators are essential for sustainable development of bioenergy systems through implementation of sustainability criteria, their perspective to sustainability is rarely studied. We systematically studied the relevant sustainability criteria and indicators from the three perspectives in different stages of a general bioenergy life cycle and in different sustainability dimensions, and evaluated bioenergy operators’ sustainability principles, criteria and indicators simultaneously with respect to the steering and research data and a business sustainability maturity framework. We collected data from literature and a workshop for Finnish bioenergy experts. The results show a similar division of steering and operators’ sustainability criteria and indicators to life cycle stages and sustainability dimensions with a slight emphasis on business economic sustainability from operators’ perspective. The acceptability principle could provide bioenergy operators a meaningful way of identifying the role of sustainability criteria and indicators from steering and research sources in advancing their business sustainability maturity.     

Evolutionary dynamics of insertion sequences in Helicobacter pylori

Prokaryotic insertion sequence (IS) elements behave like parasites in terms of their ability to invade and proliferate in microbial gene pools and like symbionts when they coevolve with their bacterial hosts. Here we investigated the evolutionary history of IS605 and IS607 of Helicobacter pylori, a genetically diverse gastric pathogen. These elements contain unrelated transposase genes (orfA) and also a homolog of the Salmonella virulence gene gipA (orfB). A total of 488 East Asian, Indian, Peruvian, and Spanish isolates were screened, and 18 and 14% of them harbored IS605 and IS607, respectively. IS605 nucleotide sequence analysis (n = 42) revealed geographic subdivisions similar to those of H. pylori; the geographic subdivision was blurred, however, due in part to homologous recombination, as indicated by split decomposition and homoplasy tests (homoplasy ratio, 0.56). In contrast, the IS607 populations (n = 44) showed strong geographic subdivisions with less homologous recombination (homoplasy ratio, 0.2). Diversifying selection (ratio of nonsynonymous change to synonymous change, >1) was evident in approximately 15% of the IS605 orfA codons analyzed but not in the IS607 orfA codons. Diversifying selection was also evident in approximately 2% of the IS605 orfB and approximately 10% of the IS607 orfB codons analyzed. We suggest that the evolution of these elements reflects selection for optimal transposition activity in the case of IS605 orfA and for interactions between the OrfB proteins and other cellular constituents that potentially contribute to bacterial fitness. Taken together, similarities in IS elements and H. pylori population genetic structures and evidence of adaptive evolution in IS elements suggest that there is coevolution between these elements and their bacterial hosts.     

Framework for validation and implementation of in vitro toxicity tests

Summary The development and application of in vitro alternatives designed to reduce or replace the use of animals, or to lessen the distress and discomfort of laboratory animals, is a rapidly developing trend in toxicology. However, at present there is no formal administrative process to organize, coordinate, or evaluate validation activities. A framework capable of fostering the validation of new methods is essential for the effective transfer of new technologic developments from the research laboratory into practical use. This committee has identified four essential validation resources: chemical bank(s), cell and tissue banks, a data bank, and reference laboratories. The creation of a Scientific Advisory Board composed of experts in the various aspects and endpoints of toxicity testing, and representing the academic, industrial, and regulatory communities, is recommended. Test validation acceptance is contingent on broad buy-in by disparate groups in the scientific community—academics, industry, and government. This is best achieved by early and frequent communication among parties and agreement on common goals. It is hoped that the creation of a validation infrastructure composed of the elements described in this report will facilitate scientific acceptance and utilization of alternative methodologies and speed implementation of replacement, reduction, and refinement alternatives in toxicity testing.     

基于BPR的综合性医院围手术流程化管理研究与应用

借鉴业务流程再造管理模式,结合医院运行的实际情况,通过全面剖析,找出了原手术流程的问题,并制定描述精确的围手术流程图;同时,对员工进行“捆绑式”强化培训,制定和实施监管制度,持续跟踪和不断改进流程,使医院手术总量和手术效率明显提升。围手术流程化管理突出了各专业和岗位的匹配和联系,突出了流程各时间节点的要求、小概率事件的预防和各类人员责、权、利的统一。     

Redefining Industrial Symbiosis

The most commonly cited definition of industrial symbiosis (IS), by Chertow (2000) , has served well to foster discussion and research for more than a decade. The definition reflected the state of research and practice at the time; as both have advanced, some terms have been interpreted in substantially different ways. In this article we analyze those generally used terms for their connection to the ecological metaphor that is the root of industrial ecology, and their varied interpretations in IS research and practice over time. We then propose an updated definition intended to communicate the essence of IS as a tool for innovative green growth: IS engages diverse organizations in a network to foster eco‐innovation and long‐term culture change. Creating and sharing knowledge through the network yields mutually profitable transactions for novel sourcing of required inputs and value‐added destinations for non‐product outputs, as well as improved business and technical processes. We posit that, although geographic proximity is often associated with IS, it is neither necessary nor sufficient—nor is a singular focus on physical resource exchange.     

Performance of Piezodorus guildinii on four species of Indigofera legumes

Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), a major pest of soybean in South America, feeds on alternative legume hosts, and four species of Indigofera were tested. Nymphal survival was 88% on I. endecaphylla Jacq. (IE), 15% on I. suffruticosa Mill. (IS), 70% on I. hirsuta L. (IH) and 40% on I. truxilliensis H.B.K. (IT). From stadia 2 through 5, fastest development (22 days) occurred on IE and IT, and the slowest (29 days) on IS. Fresh body weight at emergence was higher for nymphs fed on IE and IT. Adult survival of P. guildinii after 40 days, was greater than 70% on IT and IE, and less than 20% on IS. Females oviposited on all Indigofera species, but <30% were observed to lay eggs on IS. Body weight gain during the first week was greater for adults feeding on IE and IH. Insects lost weight on IS; at the end of day 15 no differences in percent change in body weight, among the food plants tested, were observed. Field surveys conducted on IT and IS, the two most abundant species in northern Paraná, indicated a greater number of nymphs, adults, and egg masses on the former host. On both hosts P. guildinii was more abundant during April/May, after soybean harvest, suggesting movement of the populations from soybean to Indigofera.     

Organizational factors and depression management in community-based primary care settings

Background

Evidence-based quality improvement models for depression have not been fully implemented in routine primary care settings. To date, few studies have examined the organizational factors associated with depression management in real-world primary care practice. To successfully implement quality improvement models for depression, there must be a better understanding of the relevant organizational structure and processes of the primary care setting. The objective of this study is to describe these organizational features of routine primary care practice, and the organization of depression care, using survey questions derived from an evidence-based framework.

Methods

We used this framework to implement a survey of 27 practices comprised of 49 unique offices within a large primary care practice network in western Pennsylvania. Survey questions addressed practice structure (e.g., human resources, leadership, information technology (IT) infrastructure, and external incentives) and process features (e.g., staff performance, degree of integrated depression care, and IT performance).

Results

The results of our survey demonstrated substantial variation across the practice network of organizational factors pertinent to implementation of evidence-based depression management. Notably, quality improvement capability and IT infrastructure were widespread, but specific application to depression care differed between practices, as did coordination and communication tasks surrounding depression treatment.

Conclusions

The primary care practices in the network that we surveyed are at differing stages in their organization and implementation of evidence-based depression management. Practical surveys such as this may serve to better direct implementation of these quality improvement strategies for depression by improving understanding of the organizational barriers and facilitators that exist within both practices and practice networks. In addition, survey information can inform efforts of individual primary care practices in customizing intervention strategies to improve depression management.

     

A Synergistic Framework for Evaluating Business Process Improvements

The evaluation, selection, or justification of business process improvements, or business process reengineering efforts, is similar to many strategic initiatives and their justification methodologies. This similarity arises from the fact that there are multiple factors that need to be considered, many of which have long-term and broad implications for an organization. There are many intangible measures and qualitative concerns when evaluating business process improvements. These improvements necessarily have to link to the strategic objectives of the organization. The proposed methodological framework will involve the synthesis of the analytical network process and data envelopment analysis. These two techniques, when used together, can provide subjective and objective evaluations for managerial decision makers. An illustrative example provides some insights into the application of this methodology. Additional issues and research questions are also identified.