Recent BR research papers demonstrate the critical role of information technology in business process restructuring. Previously, IT was used to help companies automate business processes, but recently, technology is being used to change those processes radically. IT plays the key role as an enabler in business process renovation and there is a strong correlation between the quality of information systems within an organization, the improvement of an overall corporate culture and the organization’s strategies. Several authors have claimed that Hammer’s well known definition is too limited as it suggests BPR is about making changes to processes, while IT plays only an enabling role. The contributions of IT in BPR could be categorized in two different ways. Firstly, IT contributes heavily as facilitator to the process of reengineering. Secondly, IT contributes in the reengineering process as an enabler to master the new process in the most effective way. The advantages and disadvantages of is modeling and the ERP system as a tool for realizing business renovation is discussed further. This discussion is corroborated by the study results on reengineering projects conducted in Croatian companies, which clearly point out the fundamental reasons, objectives and problems associated with the implementation of BRP projects.
|