A Theoretical Model for Business Process Standardization

Process standardization is for many companies a matter of strategic importance. Process standardization enables companies to provide consistent quality to customers and to realize returns of scale. Research in this area has investigated how process standardization impacts process outcomes, such as cycle time, quality, and costs. However, there are only limited insights into antecedents that lead to process standardization. Furthermore, it is not clear which contextual elements play a role when standardizing business processes. In this paper, we address this research gap by developing a theoretical model for business process standardization. The model is relevant for academics and practitioners alike, as it helps to explain and predict business process standardization by various antecedents and contextual factors.