Resolving the “three-fit” problems in enterprise information systems: a design science approach with ontological solutions

Purpose Addressing integrity, flexibility and interoperability challenges in enterprise information systems (EISs) is often hindered by the “three-fit” barrier, which encompasses vertical, horizontal and transversal fit problems. To overcome these obstacles, we propose solutions aimed at defining the business view of EIS. This study addresses these issues by proposing solutions tailored to the business view of EIS. Specifically, it introduces the core ontology of sensitive business processes (COSBP), a conceptual framework designed to formalize and define the multidimensional dimensions of sensitive business processes (SBPs). By providing a unified structure of central concepts and semantic relationships, COSBP enhances both knowledge management (KM) and business process management (BPM) in organizational contexts. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts the design science research methodology covering the phases of a design-oriented research project that develops new artifacts, such as the COSBP ontology, based on SBP modeling requirements. Following a formal multi-level, multi-component approach, COSBP is structured into sub-ontologies across different abstraction levels. Built upon the Descriptive Ontology for Linguistic and Cognitive Engineering (DOLCE) foundational ontology, COSBP integrates and extends core concepts from core domain ontologies in business processes. The framework specifies six key modeling dimensions of SBPs – functional, organizational, behavioral, informational, intentional and knowledge – each represented as a distinct class of ontological modules (OMs). Findings COSBP offers a semantically rich and precise framework for modeling SBPs, addressing complexity and ambiguity in conceptual modeling. It supports the creation of expressive and effective SBP models while enabling consensus-driven representation at a generic level. Additionally, COSBP serves as a foundation for extending modeling notations and developing tools that align with these notations. Its application in enterprise environments improves the integration, adaptability and interoperability of EISs, ultimately enhancing organizational processes and decision-making. Originality/value The development of the COSBP ontology holds considerable potential for application in various industries beyond its original focus on business process management and KM. The ontology’s capability to semantically model sensitive, knowledge-intensive and dynamic processes can be extended to other real-life scenarios in other complex domains and sectors – for example, finance and banking, government and public services, insurance, manufacturing and supply chain management, retail, E-commerce, logistics and transportation crisis management, government and public services, higher education and so on. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with the COSBP ontology, we aim to enable more intelligent decision-making, process monitoring and improved management of SBPs in knowledge-driven domains.