Process Science: The Interdisciplinary Study of Continuous Change

9 Pages Posted: 7 Sep 2021

See all articles by Jan vom Brocke

Jan vom Brocke

University of Liechtenstein

Wil van der Aalst

RWTH Aachen University - Process and Data Science (PADS)

Thomas Grisold

University of Liechtenstein

Waldemar Kremser

Radboud University Nijmegen - Institute for Management Research

Jan Mendling

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Brian Pentland

Michigan State University - Department of Accounting & Information Systems

Jan Recker

University of Hamburg; Queensland University of Technology

Maximilian Roeglinger

FIM Research Center, University of Bayreuth; Project Group Business & Information Systems Engineering of the Fraunhofer FIT

Michael Rosemann

Queensland University of Technology

Barbara Weber

University of St. Gallen

Date Written: September 3, 2021

Abstract

The only constant in our world is change. Why is there not a field of science that explicitly studies continuous change? We propose the establishment of process science, a field that studies processes: coherent series of changes, both man-made and naturally occurring, that unfold over time and occur at various levels. Process science is concerned with understanding and influencing change. It entails discovering and understanding processes as well as designing interventions to shape them into desired directions. Process science is based on four key principles; it (1) puts processes at the center of attention, (2) investigates processes scientifically, (3) embraces perspectives of multiple disciplines, and (4) aims to create impact by actively shaping the unfolding of processes. The ubiquitous availability of digital trace data, combined with advanced data analytics capabilities, offer new and unprecedented opportunities to study processes through multiple data sources, which makes process science very timely.

Keywords: Process, Science, Change, Temporality, Sustainability, Interdisciplinarity, Multi-level

Suggested Citation

vom Brocke, Jan and van der Aalst, Wil MP and Grisold, Thomas and Kremser, Waldemar and Mendling, Jan and Pentland, Brian and Recker, Jan and Recker, Jan and Roeglinger, Maximilian and Rosemann, Michael and Weber, Barbara, Process Science: The Interdisciplinary Study of Continuous Change (September 3, 2021). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3916817 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3916817

Jan Vom Brocke (Contact Author)

University of Liechtenstein ( email )

Fuerst Franz Josef-Strasse
Vaduz, 9490
Liechtenstein

Wil MP Van der Aalst

RWTH Aachen University - Process and Data Science (PADS) ( email )

Ahornstr. 55
Gebäude E2
Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen 52074
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.vdaalst.com

Thomas Grisold

University of Liechtenstein ( email )

Fuerst Franz Josef-Strasse
Vaduz, 9490
Liechtenstein

Waldemar Kremser

Radboud University Nijmegen - Institute for Management Research ( email )

Nijmegen
Netherlands

Jan Mendling

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin ( email )

Humboldt Universität
Unter den Linden 6
Berlin, 10099
Germany

Brian Pentland

Michigan State University - Department of Accounting & Information Systems ( email )

270 North Business Complex
East Lansing, MI 48824-1034
United States

Jan Recker

Queensland University of Technology ( email )

2 George Street
Brisbane, Queensland 4000
Australia

University of Hamburg ( email )

Allende-Platz 1
Hamburg, 20146
Germany

Maximilian Roeglinger

FIM Research Center, University of Bayreuth ( email )

Wittelsbacherring 10
Bayreuth, Bavaria 95444
Germany

Project Group Business & Information Systems Engineering of the Fraunhofer FIT ( email )

Wittelsbacherring 10
Bayreuth, 95445
Germany

Michael Rosemann

Queensland University of Technology ( email )

2 George Street
Brisbane, Queensland 4000
Australia

Barbara Weber

University of St. Gallen

Rosenbergstrasse 30
ICS-HSG
St.Gallen, 9000
Switzerland

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