Business Process Re-engineering-Re-Aligning Processes for Market Leadership in Changing Business Environment

Abstract

Business environment of a firm is often characterized by a change and instability due to launches of new products and technologies by rival companies, changes in government policies, and on account of factors related to globalization and shifting consumer preferences. As a result of interaction between these complex factors, business outlook and the existing business models of established companies as well as other upcoming companies are affected. Companies are thus forced to devise new strategies to survive, grow, and maintain their market share by launching new products with service back-ups to satisfy customers in the age of fierce competition. This paper analyses the forces of change present in the business environment with the emphasis on the role of technologies, especially IT and internet-based systems, which have helped companies in implementing business process re-engineering (BPR) exercises to align organization processes towards customer requirements and satisfaction. Comparisons of BPR with process analysis, TQM, and quality management have been made to discuss the similarities and differences, and how BPR is different from them in concepts and applications. Further, adaptability mechanisms of medium and large businesses have been analyzed to show how such companies have adapted themselves to changes in business environment successfully to grab opportunities thrown open by the changing consumer demand and industry requirements. Additionally, two case studies comprising Honeywell, USA and Olympus Corporation, Japan are also presented to discuss and highlight how BPR initiatives have been devised and deployed by these companies to improve performances in terms of market share, product acceptance, revenue, and customer satisfaction across their global operations.