Business process management maturity and performance: A multi group analysis of sectors and organization sizes

Abstract

Purpose

The importance of contextual factors is increasingly recognized in the field of business process management (BPM). The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relation between BPM maturity and process performance and the uncharted differences of two contextual factors (size and sector) in this relation.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical investigation is presented based on a sample of 165 organizations. Using partial least square-multi group analysis (PLS-MGA) differences between size and sector are investigated.

Findings

Overall, information technology, resources and knowledge and process measurement are the most pivotal BPM maturity dimensions that contribute to a better organizational process performance. The results showed no differences between private and public organizations in the relation between BPM maturity dimensions and process performance. In contrast, product organizations benefit more than service organizations from continuous improvement of their processes. Moreover, utilizing IT technology is more beneficial for small organizations rather than large organizations.

Originality/value

There is a clear lack of empirical studies investigating the role of context. This research extends the limited body of literature that investigated contextual factors in the field of BPM. It is the first study to add size and sector in the posited multi-dimensional model of BPM maturity dimensions and process performance. The results provide guidance for scholars and practitioners that work on BPM practices in different contexts.

Citation

Ongena, G. and Ravesteyn, P. (2020), "Business process management maturity and performance: A multi group analysis of sectors and organization sizes", Business Process Management Journal, Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 132-149. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-08-2018-0224