Guest Editors' Preface

This special issue of "Decision Making in Manufacturing and Services" is devoted to the field of Business Process Management (BPM) and contains ten selected papers presented at the 5th Polish BPM Symposium. This event is part of a series of meetings bringing together the Polish BPM community, including researchers, business professionals, and educators involved in BPM. The field of BPM continues to develop actively and attracts significant interest, as demonstrated by the popularity of events such as the International Conference on Business Process Management, the 22nd edition of which was held at AGH University of Krakow in September 2024. This special issue of DMMS, as a direct outcome of the symposium, presents works by Polish authors and showcases the implementation of the process approach in Polish companies. It is a diverse collection of studies and case analyses that contribute to the ongoing discourse on Business Process Management and its applications across various industries. These papers offer valuable insights into both theoretical advancements and practical implementations, addressing key technological, organizational, and educational aspects of BPM. By publishing these contributions in English with open access, this volume helps to disseminate the achievements of the Polish BPM Symposia and contributes to the global BPM research and practice. Together, these contributions provide a comprehensive overview of contemporary BPM challenges and solutions, bridging the gap between research and practice. The studies included in this volume not only expand the theoretical foundation of BPM but also offer actionable insights for organizations aiming to optimize their processes and drive innovation in an increasingly complex business environment. As a Poland-based initiative, this issue is a direct outcome of the 5th Polish BPM Symposium, marking another step in making BPM more popular as a subject of research and more suitable for practical implementation. Furthermore, it contributes to the consolidation and strengthening of the Polish BPM community by bringing together researchers and practitioners dedicated to advancing BPM methodologies and their real-world applications.