Towards context-oriented process modelling in the circular economy

Abstract

In the linear economy model, Lean Management and Process Excellence were initially developed in the automotive industry but they were slowly adapted by service industries, such as banks or insurance companies to optimize their own Business Processes (BP). When optimizing BP, models are created and BPMN (Business Process Modelling Notation) serves as a standard notation to design and optimize BP with the help of well-known KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). However, the recent trend of considering the circular economy in an organization’s optimization initiatives has resulted in increasing pressure to put additional focus on environmental-friendly production processes. Consequently, business process models today should not only be optimized according to the principles of process excellence but also put more emphasis on design as a part of circular economy (CE) to gain environmental excellence. Thus, BPMN models need to become more context aware. The objective of this exploratory paper proposes varying ways to incorporate well-known aspects of CE into the methods, models and tools of Business Process Management in order to move towards a Context-Oriented Process Modelling in the Circular Economy. The aim is to contribute to the discussion on how additional measures from environmental, economic and financial incentives could generate an impact on how products and services should be designed in a human-centered and environmentally friendly Society 5.0.