Abstract
For years, doubts have been raised about the usefulness of business process maturity models (BPMMs). In addition to methodological shortcomings and limited applicability of the models, another frequently voiced critique is a weak theoretical foundation. This conceptual paper analyzes previously released BPMMs and the related literature. It shows that the vast majority of articles do not refer to any theory to clarify the general underlying assumptions of the models. Instead, they resort to other existing models. In addition, the suitability of the few theoretical approaches to which some authors have referred is highly questionable. A further comparison of the theories’ suitability issues with some of the fundamental criticisms of BPMMs reveals remarkable parallels. Against this background, the article at hand creates awareness of the need to consciously select and document the theoretical foundations of future BPMMs. In addition, it contributes to the epistemological discussion on BPMMs, how to evolve and improve the development of maturity models.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andersen, K.N., Lee, J., Mettler, T., Moon, M.J.: Ten misunderstandings about maturity models. In: Eom, S.-J., Lee, J. (eds.) The 21st Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research, Seoul, Korea, pp. 261–266 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1145/3396956.3396980
Bayne, L., Purchase, S., Soutar, G.N.: Network change processes for environmental practices. J. Bus. Indus. Market. 36(10), 1832–1845 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1108/JBIM-02-2020-0094
Becker, J., Knackstedt, R., Pöppelbuß, J.: Developing maturity models for IT management. Bus. Inf. Syst. Eng. 1(3), 213–222 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12599-009-0044-5
Becker, J., Niehaves, B., Pöppelbuß, J., Simons, A.: Maturity models in IS research. In: European Conference on Information Systems, Pretoria, South Africa, pp. 1–12 (2010)
Benbasat, I., Dexter, A.S., Mantha, R.W.: Impact of organizational maturity on information system skill needs. MIS Q. 4(1), 21–34 (1980). https://doi.org/10.2307/248865
Benbasat, I., Dexter, A.S., Drury, D.H., Goldstein, R.C.: A critque of the stage hypothesis. Commun. ACM 27(5), 476–485 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1145/358189.358076
Bley, K.: An information systems design theory for maturity models in complex domains. In: Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems, virtual, pp. 1–14 (2021)
Bornmann, L., Nast, I., Daniel, H.-D.: Do editors and referees look for signs of scientific misconduct when reviewing manuscripts? A quantitative content analysis of studies that examined review criteria and reasons for accepting and rejecting manuscripts for publication. Scientometrics 77(3), 415–432 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-007-1950-2
Bvuchete, M., Grobbelaar, S.S., van Eeden, J.: A comparative review on supply chain maturity models. In: International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Pretoria/Johannesburg, South Africa, pp. 1443–1454 (2018)
Chaghooshi, A.J., Moradi-Moghadam, M., Etezadi, S.: Ranking business processes maturity by modified Rembrandt technique with considering CMMI dimensions. Iranian J. Manage. Stud, 9(3), 559–578 (2016). https://doi.org/10.22059/ijms.2016.57543
Corley, K.G., Gioia, D.A.: Building theory about theory building: What constitutes a theoretical contribution? Acad. Manage. Rev. 36(1), 12–32 (2011). https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2009.0486
Dankasa, J.: Developing a theory in academic research: A review of experts’ advice. J. Inf/ Sci. Theory Pract. 3(3), 64–74 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1633/JISTaP.2015.3.3.4
de Bruin, T., Rosemann, M.: Using the Delphi technique to identify BPM capability areas. In: Australasian Conference on Information Systems, Toowoomba, Australia, pp. 643–653 (2007)
de Bruin, T., Freeze, R.D., Kaulkarni, U., Rosemann, M.: Understanding the main phases of developing a maturity assessment model. In: Australasian Conference on Information Systems, Sydney, Australia, pp. 8–19 (2005)
Dijkman, R., Lammers, S.V., de Jong, A.: Properties that influence business process management maturity and its effect on organizational performance. Inf. Syst. Front. 18(4), 717–734 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-015-9554-5
Donaldson, L.: The Contingency Theory of Organizations. SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks (2001)
Dosi, G., Nelson, R.R.: An introduction to evolutionary theories in economics. J. Evol. Econ. 4, 153–172 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01236366
Ellwood, P., Williams, C., Egan, J.: Crossing the valley of death: Five underlying innovation processes. Technovation 109, 1–11 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2020.102162
Felch, V., Asdecker, B.: Quo vadis, business process maturity model? Learning from the past to envision the future. In: Fahland, D., Ghidini, C., Becker, J., Dumas, M. (eds.) Business Process Management. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 12168, pp. 368–383. Springer, Cham (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58666-9_21
Gieseler, K., Loschelder, D.D., Friese, M.: What makes for a good theory? How to evaluate a theory using the strength model of self-control as an Example. In: Sassenberg, K., Vliek, M.L.W. (eds.) Social Psychology in Action, pp. 3–21. Springer, Cham (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-13788-5_1
Gottschalk, P.: Maturity levels for police oversight Agenciespetter Gottschalk. Police J. Theory, Pract. Principles 82(4), 315–330 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1350/pojo.2009.82.4.472
Gottschalk, P., Solli-Sæther, H.: Towards a stage theory for industrial management research. Ind. Manage. Data Syst. 109(9), 1264–1273 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1108/02635570911002315
Gregor, S.: The nature of theory in information systems. MIS Q. 30(3), 611–642 (2006). https://doi.org/10.2307/25148742
Habib, W.M.: On the change and development in organizations: A critical review of Van de Ven & Poole. SSRN Electron. J. 1995, 1–22 (2008). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1105250
Heinze, P., Geers, D.: Quality management in knowledge intensive business processes – Development of a maturity model to measure the quality of knowledge intensive business processes in small and medium enterprises. In: International Conference on Knowledge Management and Information Sharing, Funchal, Portugal, pp. 276–279 (2009). https://doi.org/10.5220/0002294002760279
Jadhav, M., Sapre, G.: The business process maturity model – A tool to assess capability of business process. In: International Conference on Informatics and Semiotics in Organisations, Marrickville, Australia, pp. 458–464 (2009)
Jochem, R., Geers, D., Heinze, P.: Maturity measurement of knowledge-intensive business processes. TQM J. 23(4), 377–387 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1108/17542731111139464
Kaartemo, V., Coviello, N., Nummela, N.: A kaleidoscope of business network dynamics: rotating process theories to reveal network microfoundations. Ind. Mark. Manage. 91, 657–670 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2019.01.004
Kerpedzhiev, G.D., König, U.M., Röglinger, M., Rosemann, M.: An exploration into future business process management capabilities in view of digitalization. Bus. Inf. Syst. Eng. 63(2), 83–96 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12599-020-00637-0
King, J.L., Krämer, K.L.: Evolution and organizational information systems: an assessment of nolan’s stage model. Commun. ACM 27(5), 466–475 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1145/358189.358074
King, W.R., Teo, T.S.: Integration between business planning and information systems planning: Validating a stage hypothesis. Decis. Sci. 28(2), 279–308 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5915.1997.tb01312.x
Lasrado, L.A., Vatrapu, R., Andersen, K.N.: A set theoretical approach to maturity models: Guidelines and demonstration. In: International Conference on Information Systems, Dublin, Ireland, pp. 1–20 (2016)
Lawrence, P.R., Lorsch, J.W.: Organization and Environment. Harvard Business School Press, Boston, Massachusetts (1967)
Lee, J., Lee, D., Kang, S.: An overview of the business process maturity model (BPMM). In: Chang, K.-C., et al. (eds.) Advances in Web and Network Technologies, and Information Management. LNCS, vol. 4537, pp. 384–395. Springer, Heidelberg (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-72909-9_42
Lucas, H.C., Sutton, J.A.: The stage hypothesis and the S-curve. Commun. ACM 20(4), 254–259 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1145/359461.359472
Lynham, S.A.: The general method of theory-building research in applied disciplines. Adv. Dev. Hum. Resour. 4(3), 221–241 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1177/1523422302043002
Mahmood, M.A., Becker, J.D.: Effect of organizational maturity on end-users’ satisfaction with information systems. J. Manag. Inf. Syst. 2(3), 37–64 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.1985.11517736
Meyer, J.W., BoliBennett, J., Chase-Dunn, C.: Convergence and divergence in development. Ann. Rev. Sociol. 1, 223–246 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.so.01.080175.001255
Mishra, R.: Welfare and industrial man: A study of welfare in western industrial societies in relation to a hypothesis of convergence. Sociol. Rev. 21(4), 535–560 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-954X.1973.tb00496.x
Moradi-Moghadam, M., Safari, H., Maleki, M.: A novel model for business process maturity assessment through combining maturity models with EFQM and ISO 9004:2009. Int. J. Bus. Process. Integr. Manage. 6(2), 167–184 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBPIM.2013.054680
Müller, B., Urbach, N.: The why, what, and how of theories in IS research. In: International Conference on Information Systems, Milan, Italy, pp. 1–25 (2013)
Müller, B., Urbach, N.: Understanding the why, what, and how of theories in IS research. Commun. Assoc. Inf. Syst. 41, 349–388 (2017). https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.04117
Nelson, R.R., Winter, S.G.: An Evolutionary Theory of Economic Change. Belknap Press, Cambridge, London (1982)
Niehaves, B., Plattfaut, R., Becker, J.: Business process management capabilities in local governments: A multi-method study. Gov. Inf. Q. 30(3), 217–225 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2013.03.002
Niehaves, B., Pöppelbuß, J., Plattfaut, R., Becker, J.: BPM capability development – A matter of contingencies. Bus. Process. Manage. J. 20(1), 90–106 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-07-2012-0068
Nielsen, J.F.: Models of change and the adoption of web technologies: Encapsulating participation. J. Appl. Behav. Sci. 44(2), 263–286 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1177/0021886308314900
Nolan, R.L.: Managing the computer resource. Commun. ACM 16(7), 399–405 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1145/362280.362284
Nolan, R.L.: Managing the crises in data processing. Harv. Bus. Rev. 57(2), 115–126 (1979)
Oxford Learner’s Dictionary: Definition of Suitability Noun. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/suitability. Accessed 3 Mar 2022
Park, Y., Fiss, P., El Sawy, O.A.: Theorizing the multiplicity of digital phenomena: The ecology of configurations, causal recipes, and guidelines for applying QCA. MIS Q. 44(4), 1493–1520 (2020)
Patas, J.: Developing individual IT-enabled capabilities for management control systems. In: Mayer, J.H., Quick, R. (eds.) Business Intelligence for New-Generation Managers, pp. 51–66. Springer, Cham (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15696-5_5
Penrose, E.: The Theory of the Growth of the Firm. JohnWiley, New York (1959)
Pentland, B.T.: Building process theory with narrative: From description to explanation. Acad. Manage. Rev. 24(4), 711–724 (1999). https://doi.org/10.2307/259350
Pöppelbuß, J., Röglinger, M.: What makes a useful maturity model? A framework for general design principles for maturity models and its demonstration in business process management. In: European Conference on Information Systems, Helsinki, Finland (2011)
Pöppelbuß, J., Niehaves, B., Simons, A., Becker, J.: Maturity models in information systems research: Literature search and analysis. Commun. Assoc. Inf. Syst. 29, 505–532 (2011). https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.02927
Pöppelbuß, J., Plattfaut, R., Niehaves, B.: How do we progress? An exploration of alternate explanations for BPM capability development. Commun. Assoc. Inf. Syst. 36, 1–22 (2015). https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.03601
Rogers, E.M.: Diffusion of Innovations. Free Press of Glencoe, New York (1962)
Röglinger, M., Pöppelbuß, J., Becker, J.: Maturity models in business process management. Bus. Process. Manag. J. 18(2), 328–346 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1108/14637151211225225
Rohloff, M.: An approach to assess the implementation of business process management in enterprises. In: European Conference on Information Systems, Verona, Italy (2009)
Rohloff, M.: Case study and maturity model for business process management implementation. In: Dayal, U., Eder, J., Koehler, J., Reijers, H.A. (eds.) Business Process Management. LNCS, vol. 5701, pp. 128–142. Springer, Heidelberg (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03848-8_10
Rohloff, M.: Process management maturity assessment. In: Americas Conference on Information Systems, San Francisco, California, pp. 1–12 (2009)
Rohloff, M.: Advances in business process management implementation based on a maturity assessment and best practice exchange. ISeB 9(3), 383–403 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10257-010-0137-1
Rosemann, M.: The service portfolio of a BPM center of excellence. In: vom Brocke, J., Rosemann, M. (eds.) Handbook on Business Process Management 2. International Handbooks on Information Systems, pp. 381–398. Springer, Heidelberg (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-45103-4_16
Rosemann, M., de Bruin, T.: Towards a business process management maturity model. In: European Conference on Information Systems, Regensburg, Germany (2005)
Rosemann, M., de Bruin, T., Hueffner, T.: A model for business process management maturity. In: Americas Conference on Information Systems, New York (2004)
Rosemann, M., Recker, J., Vessey, I.: An examination of IS conference reviewing practices. Commun. Assoc. Inf. Syst. 26, 287–304 (2010). https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.02615
Saarinen, T.: Evolution of information systems in organizations. Behav. Inf. Technol. 8(5), 387–398 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1080/01449298908914568
Sabherwal, R., Hirschheim, R., Goles, T.: The dynamics of alignment: Insights from a punctuated equilibrium model. Organ. Sci. 12(2), 179–197 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.12.2.179.10113
Schmitt, C., Starke, P.: Explaining convergence of OECD welfare states: A conditional approach. J. Eur. Soc. Policy 21(2), 120–135 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1177/0958928710395049
Solli-Sæther, H., Gottschalk, P.: The modeling process for stage models. J. Organ. Comput. Electron. Commer. 20(3), 279–293 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1080/10919392.2010.494535
Straub, D.W.: Editor’s comments: Why top journals accept your paper. MIS Q. 33(3), 3–10 (2009). https://doi.org/10.2307/20650302
Straub, D.W., Ang, S.: Editor’s comments: Readability and the relevance versus rigor debate. MIS Q. 32(4), 3–8 (2008). https://doi.org/10.2307/25148865
Sutton, R.I., Staw, B.M.: What theory is not. Adm. Sci. Q. 40(3), 371–384 (1995)
Swanson, R.A., Holton, E.F., III.: Foundations of Human Resource Development. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, San Francisco (2001)
Tapia, R.S., Daneva, M., van Eck, P., Wieringa, R.: Towards a business-IT aligned maturity model for collaborative networked organizations. In: Enterprise Distributed Object Computing Conference Workshops, Munich, Germany, pp. 70–81 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1109/EDOCW.2008.59
Tarhan, A., Turetken, O., Reijers, H.A.: Business process maturity models: A systematic literature review. Inf. Softw. Technol. 75, 122–134 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infsof.2016.01.010
Teece, D.J., Pisano, G., Shuen, A.: Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strateg. Manag. J. 18(7), 509–533 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(199708)18:7%3c509:AID-SMJ882%3e3.0.CO;2-Z
Thordsen, T., Murawski, M., Bick, M.: How to measure digitalization? A critical evaluation of digital maturity models. In: Hattingh, M., Matthee, M., Smuts, H., Pappas, I., Dwivedi, Y.K., Mäntymäki, M. (eds.) Responsible Design, Implementation and Use of Information and Communication Technology. LNCS, vol. 12066, pp. 358–369. Springer, Cham (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44999-5_30
Vaast, E., Binz-Scharf, M.C.: Bringing change in government organizations: Evolution towards post-bureaucracy with web-based IT projects. In: International Conference on Information Systems, Paris, France, pp. 1–16 (2008)
van de Ven, A.H., Poole, M.S.: Explaining development and change in organizations. Acad. Manage. Rev. 20(3), 510–540 (1995). https://doi.org/10.2307/258786
van Looy, A.: Business Process Maturity. A Comparative Study on a Sample of Business Process Maturity Models. SpringerBriefs in Business Process Management SBPM, pp. 1–86. Springer, Cham (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04202-2
van Looy, A., Backer, M. de, Poels, G.: Defining business process maturity. A journey towards excellence. Total Qual. Manage. Bus. Excell. 22(11), 1119–1137 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2011.624779
Webster, J., Watson, R.T.: Analyzing the past to prepare for the future: Writing a literature review. MIS Q. 26(2), 8–18 (2002)
Weick, K.E., Quinn, R.E.: Organizational change and development. Annu. Rev. Psychol. 50, 361–386 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.50.1.361
Williamson, J.B., Fleming, J.J.: Convergence theory and the social welfare sector: A cross-national analysis. Int. J. Comp. Sociol. 18(3–4), 242–253 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1177/002071527701800303
Fettke, P., Zwicker, J., Loos, P.: Business process maturity in public administrations. In: vom Brocke, J., Rosemann, M. (eds.) Handbook on Business Process Management 2. International Handbooks on Information Systems, pp. 485–512. Springer, Heidelberg (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-45103-4_21
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
1 Electronic supplementary material
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Felch, V., Asdecker, B. (2022). Back to the Roots – Investigating the Theoretical Foundations of Business Process Maturity Models. In: Di Ciccio, C., Dijkman, R., del Río Ortega, A., Rinderle-Ma, S. (eds) Business Process Management. BPM 2022. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 13420. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-16103-2_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-16103-2_10
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-16102-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-16103-2
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)