A Review on Business Process Management System Design: The Role of Virtualization and Work Design

Abstract

Business Process Management (BPM) has emerged as a fundamental aspect of modern business, revolutionizing task execution and operational efficiency. This study explored the integration of BPM, virtualization, and work design to enhance organizational performance and productivity. The objective is to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on the combined impact of these elements on BPM systems and their applicability in contemporary office settings. Through a systematic literature review, 136 journal articles were examined and selected from 2,248 articles matching the search criteria. This review reveals major gaps in the current literature and identifies opportunities for further research and investigation. These findings underscore the potential significance of integrating virtualization and work design in BPM systems to enhance flexibility, scalability, and agility. Organizations can effectively respond to dynamic business needs and market conditions by leveraging virtual resources, thus eliminating the constraints of physical proximity. We provide a reflective discussion linking theoretical understanding with empirical evidence from literature. Our analysis revealed promising avenues for future research, emphasizing the role of usability in BPM system design and its impact on task accomplishment. This systematic literature review underscores the role of virtualization and work design in BPM system design. We found that both components not only enhanced the performance and effectiveness of BPM systems, but also improved flexibility, scalability, and user experience. A holistic approach to BPM system design has emerged as crucial, encompassing process modelling, automation, workflow management, integration, analytics, reporting, governance, and continuous improvement. Despite the evident benefits, our review identified distinct challenges such as managing system complexity, ensuring security, navigating resistance to change, and harmonizing technology with human elements. Our analysis underscores avenues for research that have not yet been thoroughly explored and opportunities to further extend knowledge in this field.

Keywords

• Business process management (BPM)
• virtualization
• work design
• integration
• workflow automation
• organizations