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Using the critical process targeting method to improve SMEs’ process understanding: A tale of two Australian case studies

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 04:19 authored by Kristy de SalasKristy de Salas, Ian LewisIan Lewis, Huxley, C

Purpose Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) exhibit limited understanding of their business processes. This lack of understanding limits the potential of these businesses and is a direct contributor to the high failure rates of this sector of the economy. Research has suggested that existing BP methods to not support SMEs in gaining an improved understanding of their processes due to the high complexity and resource intensity of these tools, more suitable for deployment within a large business context. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach This paper reports on two qualitative case studies of medium-sized financial entities that employ a new approach, the critical process targeting method (CPTM), to improve their understanding of their processes.

Findings In reviewing these two case studies, the authors find that the CPTM can be considered a useful tool in improving process understanding in SMEs, and can lead to the achievement of strategic goals. This paper, however, also describes a number of practical limitations that were encountered when employing the CPTM within the SME context.

Originality/value This new contribution to theory adds significant and critical support to academia and practice in business process understanding where current methods are found to be too resource heavy for even some large organisations. These two case studies have also provided support for struggling management teams being overwhelmed by the need to understand business processes within their organisations. Published literature and the case study experience both suggest that medium-sized entities have difficulty understanding their business processes.

History

Publication title

Business Process Management Journal

Volume

23

Pagination

425-447

ISSN

1463-7154

Department/School

School of Information and Communication Technology

Publisher

Emerald Publishing Limited

Place of publication

Howard House, Wagon Ln, Bingley, BD16 1WA UK

Rights statement

© Emerald Publishing Limited 1463-7154

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Other information and communication services not elsewhere classified

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