Business process management: a missing link in business education

Abstract

Business processes have been the subject of formal study from multiple perspectives for a long time since the start of industrial age. In spite of such sustained focus, processes still are not well understood, left unmanaged and poorly executed. Business schools' teaching is primarily function specific and narrow, while the IT schools focused on narrow technical skills and leaves the 'process view' and 'integration' either to the individual student or the academic. This paper analyzes the inadequacies of current business and IS/IT education and reviews the historical perspective of business processes. It posits the significance of business process management and highlights its ability to provide the missing link to business education. It reports on the strategies employed by business schools and discusses the challenges in the BPM education and research.

Teaching business process management: Improving the process of process modelling course

“…Although universities, especially these with economic and management study programs, partly recognize and teach BPM but they remain in functional silos themselves (Hars, 2002). The functional structure results in the lack of cross-functionality and process awareness of students (Seethamraju, 2012). In literature can be found suggestions how to apply BPR to higher education.…”

Business process management in Czech higher education

“…Universities therefore themselves reside in functional silos (Hars, 2002). Students then lack the cross-functional and process awareness, they are not accustomed to interconnect several fields and various knowledge, and thus implement and develop process approach in an organization (Seethamraju, 2012). It results from the fact, that study programs correspond with these functional departments and students as graduates do not possess knowledge and abilities required by the business practice, information technology development and flat organizational structures (Walker and Black, 2000).…”

Synchronous gesture manipulation for collaboration and coordination of co-located Business Process Modelling

“…Whilst these skills are highly sought after, they are not easily available globally and this is also true for developing countries such as South Africa (Flügel, Seymour & van der Merwe, 2014). The demand for BPM skills has resulted in the incorporation of BPM as a recommended learning objective of the IS Curriculum (Topi et al, 2010), and has pressurised HEIs globally to introduce BPM courses into their IS curricula (Bandara et al, 2010;Seethamraju, 2012). HEIs in South Africa are also following this trend (Flügel et al, 2014;Scholtz, Calitz & Snyman, 2013;Van Greunen, Van Der Merwe & Kotze, 2010).…”