The cooperation of multiple actors within process models: an automated planning approach. Issue 4 (2nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heinrich, Bernd; Schiller, Alexander; Schön, Dominik
• Is Part Of: Journal of decision systems. Volume 27:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 238
• Page End: 274
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02
• Subjects: Business process management -- multi-actor processes -- process modelling; Decision support systems -- Periodicals; Management information systems -- Periodicals; Information resources management -- Periodicals; Information storage and retrieval systems -- Periodicals; Management -- Communication systems -- Periodicals; Decision support systems; Information resources management; Information storage and retrieval systems; Management -- Communication systems; Management information systems; Periodicals; 658.40305
• DOI: 10.1080/12460125.2019.1600894
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1246-0125

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In many business processes, multiple actors such as different employees, departments or companies are involved. These actors need to work together and form appropriate partnerships in parts of these processes to achieve their individual goals. Hence, from a Business Process Management perspective, the actors need to cooperate. We present a conceptual foundation for multi-actor process models, which enables the consideration of individual starting points and goals as well as partnerships. Further, we incorporate the cooperation of actors in the control flow of process models by constructing explicit actions determining where in the process to form and disband partnerships. We pursue an automated planning approach due to the complexity of the required cooperation. The constructed multi-actor process models are proven to be correct and complete. We demonstrate the feasibility of our approach by an application in several real-world scenarios and its effectiveness through the assessment of a practitioner.