Rethinking Change in Business Process Management: From Prescriptive to Explanatory Research

This paper suggests that a shift in BPM research from the dominant prescriptive approach to an explanatory approach is required to develop a more comprehensive understanding of business process change. While prescriptive approaches focus on interventions tailored at optimizing business processes, they often assume that change can be planned and controlled, overlooking its complexity. To address this gap, we emphasize the need for explanatory approaches that uncover the underlying mechanisms of change. Drawing on Van de Ven and Poole’s (1995) ‘motors of change’ framework, we analyze Business Process Management (BPM) studies through a structured literature review. We categorize BPM research into four theoretical approaches: lifecycle, teleology, evolution, and dialectics. The paper shows how different theories shape BPM scholars’ interpretations of business process change, influencing what they capture and overlook. By integrating explanatory theorizing, BPM research can develop a more nuanced understanding of business process change, ultimately enhancing prescriptive interventions.