Business Process Management and IT Integration: Article Critique

This report critiques the academic article "Business process management and IT management: The missing integration." The article explores the crucial relationship between Business Process Management (BPM) and Information Technology (IT) management, emphasizing the need for their seamless integration to enhance organizational performance and gain a competitive advantage. The report highlights the authors' findings on the importance of IT alignment, the interdependence between business processes and IT systems, and the significance of Business Process Governance (BPG) and IT Governance (ITG) frameworks. The study utilizes literature analysis and a case study to examine the collaboration between BPM and IT management functions, revealing the benefits of both sequential and reciprocal integration approaches. The report underscores the importance of integrating IT into BPM decision-making, the role of IT in business alignment, and the overall impact of BPM and IT integration on business value delivery. The conclusion stresses the significance of collaboration between BPM and IT management for effective business operations and suggests further research on related aspects.

BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT
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Article Critique:
Business process management and IT management: The missing integration ((2016).
International Journal of Information Management, 36(1), 142-154. By: Rahimi, Fatemeh.,
Møller, Charles., & Hvam, Lars Hvam.

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Introduction
Business process management (BPM) is a critical aspect of every organization. Proper
business management improves the performance of an organization hence giving it a competitive
advantage over their rivals. BPM goes hand in hand with the Information Technology (IT)
management. A company that engages in advanced technology has an added advantage of
innovation and invention that can trigger the growth of the company [1]. The importance of IT
and BPM in organization cannot be underrated. However, the association between BPM and IT
management has not been explored in depth. This article, therefore, sought to find how BPM can
be linked to the IT management. They realized that horizontal integration between the two will
steer organizations forward by enhancing smooth and strategic operations. They proposed IT
alignment since technology is a key factor that determines business direction, and hence the
integration mechanisms [2]. The authors proposed the significance of IT as a business enabler
and that its integration at both operational and strategic planning levels will positively influence
BPM.
Interdependence between business processes and IT systems
Due to revolutionizing of technological world, organizations are encouraged to invest in
advanced information technology systems. IT offers numerous advantages to companies by
informing and automating their business operations. IT plays a significant role in coordinating
the governance and decision-making process involving IT management in the organization [3].
Additionally, business processes ensure that the IT management systems are connected to the
overall business operations of the company. Therefore, the link between corporate strategies and
IT capabilities are tied to the business process. To optimize these processes, BPM jets in so that
the business process systems are in line with the overall business strategies. The interconnection

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between IT and BPM, therefore, is crucial for organization since they inform the best practices
[4] to be used for betterment of the company.
The interrelation between business management process and IT management can be seen
in their governance capabilities within the dimensions of governance and structure. For instance,
business process governance (BPG) offers an organizational structure for individuals undertaking
BPM activities and also formalizing and institutionalizing decision-making processes at different
organizational levels [4]. On the other hand, IT governance (ITG) capabilities involves creating
an organization structure for persons undertaking IT management activities and also formalizing
and institutionalizing IT monitoring procedures and decision-making process. Nevertheless,
there is a disconnect between ITG and BPG as they overlook the involvement of each other in
the decision-making process and other functions. As such, failure to include business process in
the decision-making of IT, causes strategic misfits between the two, loss of competitive
advantage as well as technology fixation hence negatively affecting the operations of the
company. Similarly, lack of integration of IT in BPM decision-making results into higher risks
and costs of IT implementation [2]. As such, the authors examined the integration of IT
management and BPM into each other and how they influence business operations.
Defining Business Process Governance (BPG) and Information Technology Governance
(ITG)
Business Process Governance which is a structured management approach uses different
strategies such as metrics, software tools, policies, and management practices to coordinate
business processes such as design, analysis, design, specification, and optimization. BPM is a
core element crucial for building BPM maturity hence its responsible for managing business
operations and processes [5]. BPM framework plays an important role in an organization by

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monitoring as well as directing BPM strategies, designing and implementation of strategies,
overseeing and alignment of business projects and other activities, auditing and process
execution, initiating improvements and success of business process, and provision of necessary
resources like IT systems. On the other hand, ITG framework involves mechanism and
procedures that monitors the IT decisions in relation to decision-making process. ITG has been
confirmed to play a significant role in implementation and creation of a unified IT solution [6] in
all the corporate business units.
Research methodology
The authors divided the study into three stages; first they utilized literature through
Scopus and Web of Science to comprehend the decision domains and accountabilities in IT and
BPM management. Secondly, they used a single case study where they performed an in-depth
analysis to validate the information from the literature. The organization selected had mature,
centralized, and district ITG and BPG in place. Finally, they used interviews as the primary
method of data collection. Thereafter, data analysis was performed [2]. The archival sources and
interview transcripts were aggregated for easier analysis. The case study data as well was coded
and analyzed to determine the integration of IT and BPM management functions.
Literature analysis: Collaboration between BPM and IT management
In many of the organizations, ITG remains to be a central part of corporate governance.
IT plays a significant role in process redesign [7]. On the other hand, BPM is an all-inclusive
approach towards process change management. Nevertheless, for smooth operations there ought
to be interdependence between these two frameworks. Business-IT alignment in ITG and BGP
frameworks helps a company to achieve a competitive edge over its rivals. IT alignment should

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be directly positioned with the overall business strategy [5]. It should offer a value for the
business and also increase the performance of the company. This is only possible after new
business processes are redesigned, implemented, and executed by use of BPG framework.
Case study: Collaboration of BPM and IT management function
From the literature review, the authors noticed an overlap in management functions of IT
and BPM in business-IT alignment and value realization in IT-enabled business [2]. The found a
gap on how joint accountabilities for BPM and IT is reached through the collaboration of ITG
and BPM. To be able to find answers to this question they carried a case study on Gamma
company that has invested hugely on BPM and IT frameworks. Gamma ensures that the BPM is
taken as a holistic approach such that there is adaptability of the business process with the ever-
changing environment. There is a process manager heading a particular process area to which he
is accountable. The BPM and IT frameworks are also integrated in that they control decision-
making process, designing, optimizing, and controlling all business processes.
Gamma uses planning level of integration to align and operational and strategic functions
to the overall corporate strategy. The operational integration ensures that all strategically planned
activities are implemented successfully [8]. Similarly, strategic integration focusses on aligning
the IT strategies to business operations. Nevertheless, the authors realized there were differences
between the direction of integration with strategic level giving sequential direction. However,
they found that two-way reciprocal integration is more effective in business and IT planning.
Additionally, role of IT in alignment cannot be underrated. IT determines the automation of
business operations, efficiency and accuracy of the results. IT department is responsible for
innovation in the organization. Therefore, the IT strategy should be aligned with the overall

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business strategy [9]. In so doing, the company is guaranteed to undergo growth and become
successful.
Discussion
The literature review showed that there was an overlap of accountability between BPG
and ITG frameworks [10]. On the other hand, the case study showed collaboration between ITM
and BPM functions for business-IT alignment at both the operational and strategic level. Also,
they found out that horizontal integration process between IT and BPM works out perfectly.
Further, they suggest the adoption of sequential and reciprocal integration approach to shape the
business strategic initiatives. Reciprocal integration allows designing of IT systems that aligns
with the corporate strategy. The authors discovered the importance of BPM liaison position
inclusion in the ITF structure. Also, the significance of emphasizing on IT professionals’
involvement in business management, planning, and execution. BPM maturity [11] is another
aspect that came out during this study. IT-enabled business value delivery is not well understood
in the context of IT and BPM business integration. However, the value realization can be
achieved through alignment of IT governance processes to BPM and IT liaison positions.
Conclusion
Business process management is very crucial in proper operations of the company. Its
implementation and execution will determine whether the organization succeeds or fails.
Additionally, information technology is also critical in enhancing the operations of a company. It
is known that organizations that have invested hugely in IT and BPM have a competitive
advantage over their rivals [12]. From this article, we understand the importance of collaborating
BPM and IT management function with each other. Integration of the two frameworks in support

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of IT-enabled business value delivery will help boost the value of the business. The direction of
integration such as sequential and reciprocal integration was found to give better benefits while
implanted at operational and strategic levels.
Despite the good results obtained from this study, it is recommended that other studies involving
several case studies to be carried out to confirm the current findings. Other factors also that may
influence the integration process between BPM and IT management should be determined.
Additionally, future research should focus on determining BPG relational, process, and structural
integration mechanisms that enhance IT involvement in decision-making process of BPM.

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References
1. Trkman, P. (2010). The critical success factors of business process management.
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management: The missing integration. International Journal of Information
Management, 36(1), 142-154.
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