An Integrated University Course

Business Process Management and Routine Dynamics are two research streams that study the same phenomenon: recurrent sequences of actions and events that accomplish certain tasks in and for organizations. However, these two research streams have different assumptions when they study processes. Research on business process management assumes that process work is and remains relatively stable. It aims to model and design business process work in advance. Research on routine dynamics, in contrast, assumes that business process work is highly dynamic and subject to continuous change. It aims to describe and explain these dynamics.

Following recent calls to connect these two research streams, this website presents a university course that systematically integrates business process management and routine dynamics research. The underlying intention is to attune university students to the–sometimes subtle–dynamics that emerge in and around business processes. Being aware of such dynamics enables them to make effective and considerate decisions when they manage business processes in their future career. We developed, taught and evaluated two course designs that reflect different needs of business process management students. These are described in the following and here. All materials can be downloaded and used for free.

We also developed complementary readings that take different perspectives on business process management and routine dynamics. All readings can be downloaded here for r .

The materials we present here originate from a research project that has been co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union (“BPM and Organizational Theory: An Integrated Reference Curriculum Design”). It reflects joint research activities by the University of Liechtenstein, Vienna University of Economics and Business, the University of Cologne and Radboud University.