Process-Oriented Organizations

Abstract

The main purpose of the chapter is to represent practical approach on the empirically-evaluated business process orientation (BPO) based on the research of the Slovenian power supply business. Within the empirical investigation, the level of BPO maturity was measured in the 19 organizations. The survey was focused on the top, middle, and lower managers. As a measuring instrument, a questionnaire for the extended concept of process orientation was used. The results of the BPO measurement shows that, despite this long-standing engagement with processes, quality management system and the IT portfolio management (PoM) of operations, process orientation, and appurtenant IT PoM maturity is not very high. Results suggested the opportunities for improvement, particularly for better use and to take advantage of IT. One important reason for performing the research in the power supply business is the importance of its activities for the socio-economic and environmental impact of the whole society and therefore better understanding of the recognized “soft factors.”