Towards a workflow‐based integration architecture for business networking

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show how workflow management can be applied in the context of business networking.Design/methodology/approachThe paper looks at workflow management systems (WfMSs) as an enterprise integration tool and, as such, it shows that WfMS require an appropriate integration infrastructure. The paper then describes how a WfMS that supports business networking can be built.FindingsIt is found that business networking requires a decentralized, peer‐to‐peer (P2P) integration infrastructure. On the other hand, it is found that it is possible to develop a generic and reusable workflow engine. Both components are then integrated in order to come up with a solution that supports business networking.Research limitations/implicationsIssues concerning information and document management are not addressed. Neither mechanisms of storage and retrieval of exchanged documents, nor the format/structure of those documents are specified.Practical implicationsThe paper assumes that enterprises will be willing to build up a P2P network where they will conduct their business‐to‐business (B2B) exchanges. Then, the proposed solution would allow their business processes to be linked without requiring tight coupling between their information systems.Originality/valueThe paper is useful to IT strategists and researchers dealing with WfMS, B2B integration architectures and applications of P2P technology.