survey of bpr experiences in iran: reasons for success and failure
TRANSCRIPT
Case study
Survey of BPR experiences in Iran:reasons for success and failure
Mohammad Jafar Tarokh
Industrial Engineering Department, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, and
Esmail Sharifi and Eslam NazemiIslamic Azad University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
AbstractPurpose – This paper aims at studying the success and failure of BPR projects executed throughout Iran. For this purpose, effective indices and alsofactors of success and failure are to be investigated.Design/methodology/approach – Based on statistical analysis of efficiency indexes mean value and project effectiveness, as well as the test outputsfor the projects’ total success, it was proved that except for the two organizations, the rest lack necessary efficiency and except for two organizations,the others lack necessary effectiveness.Findings – The total success test outputs has verified the results of the two above-mentioned tests, so by 95 percent of assurance, it has to becommented that BPR projects executed in Iran have failed to reach predefined acceptable success.Practical implications – The lack of data from organizations is a big problem in BPR projects in Iran.Originality/value – The article recommends that every BPR project before execution needs deployment of success factors such as: preparation forchange, planning, recognition and design, evaluation, culture and change, information technology, and outcome in governmental organizations.
Keywords Business failures, Business process re-engineering, Organizational effectiveness, Iran
Paper type Case study
1. Introduction
The present is full of changes, transformation, and unrest, an
era in which, all the riches suddenly come into being and are
gone, because transformation has also been change, and there
is no escalating these changes.
Gary Hamel calls managers to shatter old business patterns
and strategies for new ones. He believes what undergoes
change, must not be viewed available. It should be free from
the appeal of the old patterns, and be viewed differently to
create such a pattern different from what has been so far, and
traditional competitors into struggle (Dudash, n.d.; Hague
et al., 2003). One of the most recognized strategies that put
this thought closer to operation is business process re-
engineering (BPR).
Another point is that its implementation and
settlement is more complex than the other management
approaches. On one side, re-engineering involves high
potentials of productivity increase by reducing process
time and cost, quality improvement and customer
satisfaction, and on the other hand, requires a basic
and fundamental change in the organization. For this
reason, about 70 percent of the re-engineering processes
fail in practice (Kala Naft Co., n.d.). Considering this
fact, re-engineering is considered as a high-risk process.
The scope of process effectiveness has been shown in
Figure 1 (Hie Kim and Gang, 2002; Iran Management
and Productivity Study Center, 2002).
Re-engineering organizations is a new phenomenon which
at least will continue existing until the majority of
organizations have changed from old task models of Adam
Smith, and Fredrick Taylor into new models (Davenport and
Short, 1990; Gulledge and Sommer, 2002). Organizations
that have successfully accomplished their re-engineering plan,
while achieving basic outputs in the short term, will enjoy
such a flexibility that enables them to change continuously.
In this paper, activities such as data collecting and
recording, data analysis of acquired information from
consultants, executives, employers was done. Finalization
and conclusion for the purpose of publishing experimental
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0885-8624.htm
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
23/5 (2008) 350–362
q Emerald Group Publishing Limited [ISSN 0885-8624]
[DOI 10.1108/08858620810881629]
Received: February 2006Revised: May 2006Accepted: September 2006
350
knowledge and best practices (successful or unsuccessful) of
business process re-engineering projects in the country has
been performed.
2. Reasons for success and failure of BPR projects
Applying BPR projects is very complicated and the survey of
several factors of success /failure is needed to assure successful
application, so that it avoids falling into executive pitfalls. For
the success of a BPR project, several factors must be
provided. One of the most basic factors is the compliance of
the vision of the organization and removing doubts on BPR
efforts (Weske et al., 2004). Top managers of organizations
must be in charge of BPR execution, so that more effort is
made for its success. Another important factor for the success
of BPR is the depth of efforts in proportion to basic changes
required by the organization. These efforts in terms of types
of activities defined for the BPR projects are determined and
executed (Pears and Robinson, 1997).
In spite of this, some effective factors for the success of BPR
projects can be summarized as follow (Iran Management and
Productivity Study Center, 2001; Safari, 2001):. Close relationship between project activities and main
business objectives, and the organization’s strategy.. Locating BPR projects in the strategic direction of the
organization.. Project management and right team work.. Setting goals for radical redesign to stimulate stereotype
thoughts.. Pilot execution to test new designs and the effects of their
execution.. Allocation of suitable and competent executives to the re-
engineering teams.. Use of appropriate tools and procedures.. Ability for implementing the required information,
information technology infrastructures, and their
adaptation with process re-engineering.
Also to achieve success in these projects, the following aspects
have to be considered (Dorsa, 2001; Iran Management and
Productivity Study Center, 1995a, 2002):
. The rate of success for BPR projects depends on their size,
and scope of coverage. Projects with wider scopes are
rather large with prolonged duration, so they have less
chance to succeed for executive problems.. The current advancements in IT infrastructures and
e-commerce will result in more dynamism of BPR projects
and promotion of their position.. Like organizational change, and implementation of IT
projects, the success of BPR projects highly depends on
organizational elements and setting grounds for
accompanying those elements.
Different aspects cause the success and failure of BPR
projects. These projects may seem successful because of
reaching operational process advantages (time and cost
reduction, or quality promotion); however, because there is
no possibility of transferring advantages and profitability to
the bottom of the organization or not developing the total
organization performance, it may seem unsuccessful:. One obstacle for successful execution of the project is the
resistance of elements that executives believe to have the
most profit.. Unsuitable change management.
In this regard, Al-Mashari and Zaire (1999), have focused on
factors which output in BPR efforts. They have categorized
these factors in sub groups that show different dimensions
relevant to application of BPR. These dimensions are:
1 Change management and culture of change.
2 Competencies and support of management.
3 Organizational structure.
4 Project management and planning.
5 IT infrastructures.
The effective factors of success or failure of BPR projects in
organizations have been illustrated in Figure 2 (Bain &
Company, 2005; Kala Naft Co., n.d.).
3. Goals, method, hypotheses of research, datacollection and statistical sample
3. 1 Research goals
This research has been conducted by aiming at studying the
success and failure of BPR projects executed throughout the
country. For this purpose, effective indices of success and
failure have been defined and used. These indices have been
determined on the basis of studies made in the literature of
BPR. The indices have been considered as follows (Al-
Mashari and Zaire, 1999; Bain & Company, 2005):. preparation for change;. planning;. recognition and design;. evaluation;. culture and change;. information technology; and. outcome.
Figure 1 Scope of re-engineering impacts
Survey of BPR experiences in Iran
Mohammad Jafar Tarokh, Esmail Sharifi and Eslam Nazemi
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
Volume 23 · Number 5 · 2008 · 350–362
351
3.2 Research method
In this research we use multi case study by using literature
review and interview with executives, managers, employers,
and end-users and also distribute questionnaires.
For this purpose the statistical sample is determined and
use cluster sampling. The statistical clusters were randomly
selected. Then among the cluster, the statistical sample is also
randomly selected. Therefore among all project, 13 available
BPR projects selected as a research cluster. After that about
40 people form these organizations complete the
questionnaires and do interviews. The results of these
activities lead to measurement of seven indices.
The stages of conducting the research can be viewed in
Figure 3.
3.3 Research assumption
The research hypotheses have been stated in two conditions,
the overall project conditions, and indexes of efficiency and
effectiveness conditions.
Figure 2 Effective factors in success/failure of BPR projects
Survey of BPR experiences in Iran
Mohammad Jafar Tarokh, Esmail Sharifi and Eslam Nazemi
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
Volume 23 · Number 5 · 2008 · 350–362
352
The overall project hypotheses claim that the executed BPR
projects by 95 percent of confidence shows successful
outputs.
Also indices of efficiency and effectiveness hypotheses state
that BPR projects from efficiency and effectiveness point of
view are at 95 percent of confidence above the average.
The overall project hypotheses for each of the 13
organizations and the indices of efficiency and effectiveness
hypotheses for the seven indices factors in all organizations
have been calculated separately.
3.3.1 Overall condition of the project hypotheses
The total hypotheses: studying BPR projects executed in Iran
show successful results.
The particle hypotheses: BPR project was successfully
executed in each of the 13 organizations.
3.3.2 Indexes of success hypotheses
The total hypotheses: studying the BPR projects executed in
the country, from the viewpoint of covering the indices of
success shows a higher than average level.
The particle hypotheses: studying the BPR projects
executed in the country, independently compared to any of
the seven factors shows a higher than average level.
3.4 Statistical sample
The statistical sample was collect from the following projects
and organizations:
1 Redesigning the structure and executing processes of
the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MLSA) (Iran
Management and Productivity Study Center, 1995a).
2 Redesigning the structure and executive processes of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran (MFA) (Iran
Management and Productivity Study Center, 1995b).
3 Redesigning processes and macro structure of the staff
of Mostazafan and Janbazan Foundation (MJF) (Iran
Management and Productivity Study Center, 2000).
4 Study and survey of the organization and formation of
the Ministry of Roads and Transportation to present a
suitable organizational pattern (MRT) (Iran
Management and Productivity Study Center, 2001).
5 Redesigning the order of research and training in the
Ministry of Jihad-Agricultural (RTMJA) (Iran
Management and Productivity Study Center, 2002).
6 Continuous improvement of processes in Iran Khodro
Co (IKC).
7 Study and survey of process structure in Civil Aviation
Organization of Iran, and Airports Company of Iran
(CAO).
8 Process reengineering in the Ministry of Health and
Medical Education, Research Deputy (MHMER)
(Safari, 2001).
9 Reengineering structure of organization processes in
Ministry of Cooperation (MC) (Ministry of
Cooperation, 2002).
10 Reorganizing the Association of Industry Managers
(AIM) (Iran Management and Productivity Study
Center, 1995b).
11 Process reengineering in the Ministry of Science,
Research and Technology (MSRT).
12 Information producing and recovery process
reengineering in the Iranian Information and
Documentation Center (IIDC).
13 Reengineering Butane Co. (BC).
The selected projects were either contents similar to BPR
projects or introduced as a BPR project. In most projects, the
scopes defined were up to designing stage, and did not
include execution phase (for example projects performed by
Management & Productivity Research Center, and Ministry
of Health and Medical Education, Research Deputy which
has been deleted form sample). Of course, the
implementation phase and redesigned processes were on the
employers’ obligation. In this direction, 37 interviews with
project stakeholders, including executives, managers,
employers, and end-users has been studied.
In addition to the interviews, to collect information and
views of the stakeholders, over 40 questionnaires (statistical
sample) were distributed among them. The spectrum used in
the questionnaire was multiple (five choices) with average 3.
3.5 Method of data collection
To collect required information for the survey of success/
failure of projects, two methods, structured and unstructured,
have been used. Our main reference for data collection was:
1 Reference list of document plans.
2 Relevant information on the plans in general, such as:. General specification of plans including start and
delivery time, duration of the contract, employers,
executives, and managers.. Executive specifications including objectives, scope of
execution, methodology, and outputs of executing
plans which have been accomplished through
completion of project in identification by using
documentation or performing interviews.
3 Regarding success or failure of plans, viewpoints of
executives, managers, employers, and end-users were
Figure 3 Research stages
Survey of BPR experiences in Iran
Mohammad Jafar Tarokh, Esmail Sharifi and Eslam Nazemi
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
Volume 23 · Number 5 · 2008 · 350–362
353
collected through interviews and completion of
questionnaires.
3.6 Method of data analysis
In many cases, due to inaccessibility to the universe, it is
required to generalize the sample output to the total universe.
This is done by conducting statistical hypotheses test.
3.6.1 Establishment of the H0, versus the H1
The following hypotheses are proposed:
H0. Studying the BPR projects executed in the country
does not show successful results in their execution (i.e.
the score for BPR project success equals or is lower
than the average) H0: m #3.
H1. Studying the BPR projects executed in the country,
shows successful results in their execution (i.e. the
score for BPR project success is above the average) H1:
m . 3.
3.6.2 Determining the value of a
The value of a is set to 0.05, which means the significant level
of recognition or the meaningful of the test.
3.6.3 Statistical calculations
Considering the insufficient number of samples, a one way
none parametric analysis binomial test has been used. Finally
for calculating, and determining The Z0 value, Binomial
distribution has been estimated as normal distribution. So,
the non-parametric statistic value is as follows:
Z0 ¼ P 2 P0½ �= P0 12 P0ð Þð Þ=n½ �0:5
(P ¼ 0:5 and P0 is the percentile observed for H0 test, and n is
the sample size.)
3.6.4 Critical value of Z
The value of Z0 is compared to the value of Za=25 1:96 from
the normal standard table. If the value of Z0 is greater than
1.96, then the H0 is rejected, otherwise we cannot reject H0
(remember that we assume significant level is equal to 0.05).
4. Survey of the outputs
Study outputs on BPR projects in organizations have been
presented in three sections: “survey of questionnaires
outputs”, “effective factors in BPR projects” and “survey of
BPR characteristics”. The survey of BPR characteristics, the
projects have been surveyed in terms of completion of
different stages, and rate of efficiency and effectiveness for
these projects, and have been compared with each other in
model (Figure 4).
The effective factors in projects studied, which have been
extracted from interviews and documents have been
separately collected and presented for each organization,
also the priority for each one has been determined (Table I).
Finally, the impact of these factors on success or failure of the
project has been presented in the form of a conceptual model
(Figure 5).
4.1 Survey of BPR based on questionnaires’ results
In this section, the situation of BPR projects execution
throughout Iran from the viewpoints of people involved has
been dealt with. The surveys have been made through
questionnaires data analysis. These questionnaires were
circled among peoples involved in projects respectively,
executives, managers and employers. Most of the
questionnaires completed and returned were related to
executives (it is worth mentioning, projects of those
organizations that did not answer the questionnaires, have
not been consider in calculations).
The questions were designed and investigate seven aspects,
preparation of organizations for change, project planning and
scheduling, recognition of present situation and designing
desirable process situation, evaluation of project execution,
organizational culture and change, information technology,
and project outcomes.
The results were collected and analyzed. In Table I, score 1
means very poor, and score 5 means very good organizational
performance. The results of questionnaires’ analysis have
been presented in Table I.
The formula for calculation of values in this Table is as
follow:
f j ¼P13
i¼1 aij=13;;j ¼ 1; :::7
pi ¼P7
j¼1 aij=7;;i ¼ 1; :::13
where:. f i ¼ The average of each factor.. pj ¼ The average of organization performance.. aij ¼ score of the axis j for the organization i.
Evidently, the numbers in Table II have been derived from
Table I. Which are separated by effectiveness and efficiency
indexes. As an example, a sample calculation has been
presented below:. Efficiency of the RTMJA: E ¼ (2.39 þ 2.5 þ 2.94 þ
2.56)/(4 *5) ¼ 0.52 or 52%. Effectiveness of the RTMJA: Ef ¼ (2.92 þ 3.33 þ 3.30/
(3 *5) ¼ 0.64 or 64%
As you can see the average of these two indices in 13 Iranian
organizations are respectively 53 and 52 percent.
4.2 Survey of efficiency and effectiveness of the projects
Generally by studying the total factors surveyed in the
questionnaires, these factors can be divided into two groups of
effective factors on efficiency, and effective factors on project
performance effectiveness (Figure 6) which will influence the
final results.
The effective factor on efficiency focuses on the right
performance of execution stages of BPR projects. The
effective factor of projects’ effectiveness focuses on factors
which affect project outputs. In this way by surveying the
averages in questionnaires, the efficiency of projects’
effectiveness can be presented as Table II (these amounts
have merely been drawn from the questionnaires’
Survey of BPR experiences in Iran
Mohammad Jafar Tarokh, Esmail Sharifi and Eslam Nazemi
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
Volume 23 · Number 5 · 2008 · 350–362
354
information, and reflect the views of executives, consultants,
and employers).
To be more exact in surveying efficiency and effectiveness of
the subject projects, the results in Table III have involved
hypotheses tests for efficiency and effectiveness. According to
Table IV, it is observed that only two organizations, Iranian
information and Documentation Center, and Ministry of
Science, Research and Technology (MSRT), possessed the
desired effectiveness. According to Table V, Ministry of
Science, Research and Technology, and The Iranian
Information and Documentation Center (IIDC) possessed
desired efficiency. Also as included in Table VI, the total
survey of The Iranian Information and Documentation
Center merely showed the desired condition.
According to the results of the BPR project success test
results in Table VI, it is observed that basically, BPR project
execution hasn’t been acceptably successful.
4.3 Statistical survey of indices
In surveying any of the seven indices, some hypothesis has
been put forward. The test results have merely come below
for the preparation index of the organization. Other results
are the same as this. Results of the survey and testing
hypothesis along with raw data and statistical data have been
presented in Table II. According to the test output, none of
the seven factors scored above the average, so the total
assumption rejects H1 and accepts H0 which leads to
unsuccessfulness of BPR projects in Iran. For example test
Figure 4 Characteristics of BPR projects execution in Iran
Survey of BPR experiences in Iran
Mohammad Jafar Tarokh, Esmail Sharifi and Eslam Nazemi
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
Volume 23 · Number 5 · 2008 · 350–362
355
Table
ISi
tuat
ion
ofB
PRpr
ojec
tsin
diff
eren
tef
fect
ive
fact
ors
Factors
Row
(i)
Organ
ization
Preparationfor
chan
ge
Planning
Recognitionan
d
planning
Evaluation
Culture
and
chan
ge
Inform
ation
technology
Outcome
Organ
izationperform
ance
(pi)
Organ
ization
rank
1RT
MJA
2.39
2.50
2.94
2.56
2.92
3.33
3.30
2.85
3
2M
HM
ER2.
332.
502.
551.
502.
502.
001.
502.
1311
3M
JF2.
832.
833.
413.
333.
693.
173.
703.
282
4C
AO
2.56
2.72
2.89
2.22
3.17
2.11
3.03
2.67
7
5M
LSA
1.75
2.50
2.36
1.75
3.06
1.67
2.85
2.28
10
6M
FA1.
752.
502.
361.
753.
061.
672.
852.
2810
7M
RT1.
752.
502.
361.
753.
061.
672.
852.
2810
8IID
C3.
833.
173.
273.
672.
753.
333.
103.
301
9M
SRT
4.00
3.33
3.91
2.17
1.75
1.67
2.00
2.69
6
10
MC
3.08
3.18
2.55
3.13
1.55
1.35
1.95
2.40
9
11
IKC
3.17
3.25
3.15
3.24
2.05
1.45
2.23
2.65
8
12
AIM
2.05
2.14
2.67
1.47
4.00
3.25
3.41
2.71
5
13
BC
2.02
2.35
3.19
1.36
3.29
3.15
3.61
2.80
4
fi2.
422.
672.
832.
283
2.33
2.95
Fieldsurvey
ranking
54
37
16
2
Survey of BPR experiences in Iran
Mohammad Jafar Tarokh, Esmail Sharifi and Eslam Nazemi
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
Volume 23 · Number 5 · 2008 · 350–362
356
assumption for “preparation of the organization for change”
is stated below:. Establishment of H0 & H1 hypothesis:. H0: Surveying the executed BPR projects in proportion to
the organization’s factor of preparation for change equals
or is lower than average (opposite to what was claimed).
. H1: Surveying the executed BPR projects throughout the
country, in proportion to the organization’s factor of
preparation for change shows above average
(accomplished claim).. H0: m # 3.. H1: m . 3.. Amount of a is 0.05. The amount of a in the whole
research equals 0.05, so the critical test value in this
confidence level is equals 1.96 (according to the standard
normal table).
Table II Efficiency and effectiveness of the projects
Row Organizations Efficiency (%) Effectiveness (%)
1 RTMJA 52 64
2 MHMER 44 4
3 MJF 62 7
4 CAO 51 55
5 MILSA 42 50
6 MFA 42 51
7 MRT 41 51
8 IIDC 69 61
9 MSAT 67 36
10 MC 60 32
11 IKC 64 38
12 AIM 42 71
13 BC 45 71
Total 53 52
Figure 5 Conceptual model for location of the projects surveyed in BPR categorization
Figure 6 Categorization of effective factors on BPR projects
Survey of BPR experiences in Iran
Mohammad Jafar Tarokh, Esmail Sharifi and Eslam Nazemi
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
Volume 23 · Number 5 · 2008 · 350–362
357
. Statistical test value. Regarding to the low amount of the
sample size (n ¼ 40), the none-parametric two way test
with normal distribution estimate has been used.
Z0 ¼ P 2 P0½ �= P0 12 P0ð Þð Þ=n½ �0:5 (P ¼ 0:5, P0 is the
observation percentile for H0 theory. P0 ¼ 18=40 ¼ 45%).
Therfore: Z0 ¼ 0:52 0:45½ �= 0:45 12 0:45ð Þð Þ=40½ �0:5. Statistical conclusions. With regard to the amount 0.64, it
is obvious that the statistical value is in H0 area, so it is
concluded that the H0 hypothesis can not be reject, and
there is no reason to accept H1.
4.4 Characteristic survey of BPR projects executed in
Iran
In this part, some general and common information between
different projects executed in Iran has been presented. In
terms of creating relative understanding and recognition of
format and nature of each project, this information is
important. Although it does not analyze success or failure of
BPR projects, By comparing the characteristics of each
project with BPR project factors which has been presented in
the literature of this subject, it can be realized to what extent
these projects have approached a complete BPR project.
This information has been presented on the survey of
documents study for each project, interviews performed and
questionnaires distributed, as a general perception from the
collection of surveys. This information has been summarized
in Figure 4.
Considering the coping of project’s characteristics with
existing factors for a BPR project, is as well as rate of goal
achievement, or in other words, rate of project success (see
Figure 7). Generally, a comparison between projects, in
approaching the ideal BPR project can be presented.
Obviously, a meticulous judgment in this regard, calls for a
broader field survey, testing and statistical assumptions.
The structure of the Figure 7 is based on two dimensions:
Coping with execution stages of BPR projects, and acquiring
developed project objectives. On this basis, the projects are
categorized in four conditions: Unsuccessful, efficient but
ineffective, effective but inadaptable, and finally efficient and
effective.
1 Unsuccessful. Projects that have not covered BPR project
stages, and have not achieved their prospective goals
either.
2 Efficient but ineffective. These projects have progressed
according to schedules adjusted for BPR projects, but for
some reasons have failed in achieving their prospective
goals.
3 Effective but inadaptable. By covering different stages from
BPR project phases, these projects have achieved goals
other than BPR prospective goals.
4 Efficient and effective. By adapting determined BPR project
schedules, these projects have reached their prospective
goals.
The analysis for the projects surveyed in this study according
to the pattern above has been presented as Figure 5.
Based on Figure 5, it can be observed that projects of
government organizations such as the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, etc. . . . have the
same condition in the figure, which mostly have their projects,
not been executed. This condition can be due to legal
obstacles such as waiting for the designed structure approval
by the Management and Planning Organization, and legal
obstacles in the way of planning suitable processes, and
Table III BPR project success indexes test results
Indexes Hypothesis Number of observations (n) Frequency (PO) Test level (P) Statistical values Test result
Preparation for change H0: m # 3 18 0.45 0.50 0.64 H1 reject
H1. m . 3 22 0.55
Total: 40 1.00
Planning H0: m # 3 15 0.40 0.50 1.24 H1 reject
H1: m . 3 22 0.60
Total: 37 1.00
Recognition and designing H0: m # 3 23 0.60 0.50 21.29 H1 reject
H1: m . 3 17 0.40
Total: 40 1.00
Evaluation H0: m # 3 25 0.64 0.50 21.82 H1 reject
H1: m . 3 14 0.36
Total: 39 1.00
Culture and change H0: m # 3 11 0.30 0.50 2.65 H0 reject
H1: m . 3 26 0.70
Total: 37 1.00
Information technology H0: m # 3 17 0.44 0.50 0.75 H1 reject
H1: m . 3 22 0.56
Total: 39 1.00
Outcomes H0: m # 3 24 0.63 0.50 21.66 H1 reject
H1: m . 3 14 0.37
Total: 38 1.00
Survey of BPR experiences in Iran
Mohammad Jafar Tarokh, Esmail Sharifi and Eslam Nazemi
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
Volume 23 · Number 5 · 2008 · 350–362
358
existing management obstacles, and the vastness of these
organizations. On the contrary, organizations such as Butane
and the Association of Industry Managers with more
executive independence have reached more BPR project
goals and executions.
The position of the surveyed projects in categorization of
BPR projects is based on the conceptual model (see Figure 5).
It is clearly evident that the conceptual model results are
consistence with the statistical test results. For, merely, The
Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT), and
The Iranian Information and Documentation Center (IIDC)
have effective and efficient conditions. This result was also
concluded in section 3.3.
5. Managerial implications
Today, organizationmanagers in Iran against with competition,
customer and change forces and have a serious challenges from
inside and outside of organization. In the inside of organization
there are some factors such as resistance against change, no
flexibility,didnotaccess toabsorb thenewexpertise information
technology for organization and employee, and produce
products and services with low quality and high cost are
serious challenges for management of organizations.
On the other hand exist of competitors and high knowledge
customers based on using new information technology creates
earnestly threats for managers from outside of organizations.
Table IV BPR project effectiveness test results
Organization Hypothesis Number of observations (n) Frequency (PO) Test level (P) Statistical values
RTMJA H0: m # 3 5 0.55 0.50 20.353
H1: m . 3 4 0.45
9 1.00
MHMER H0: m # 3 3 0.43 0.50 0.347
H1: m . 3 4 0.57
7 1.00
MJF H0: m # 3 4 0.67 0.50 21.03
H1: m . 3 2 0.33
6 1.00
CAO H0: m # 3 3 0.38 0.50 0.693
H1: m . 3 5 0.62
8 1.00
MLSA H0: m # 3 2 0.40 0.50 0.456
H1: m . 3 3 0.60
5 1.00
MFA H0: m # 3 2 0.40 0.50 0.456
H1: m . 3 3 0.60
5 1.00
MRT H0: m # 3 2 0.40 0.50 0.456
H1: m . 3 3 0.60
5 1.00
IIDC H0: m # 3 4 0.80 0.50 22.12
H1: m . 3 1 0.20
5 1.00
MSRT H0: m # 3 3 1.00 0.50 286.589
H1: m . 3 0 0.00
3 1.00
MC H0: m # 3 3 0.43 0.50 0.347
H1: m . 3 4 0.57
7 1.00
IKC H0: m # 3 4 0.44 0.50 0.340
H1: m . 3 5 0.56
9 1.00
AIM H0: m # 3 3 0.38 0.50 0.61
H1: m . 3 5 0.62
8 1.00
BC H0: m # 3 5 0.45 0.50 0.316
H1: m . 3 6 0.55
11 1.00
Survey of BPR experiences in Iran
Mohammad Jafar Tarokh, Esmail Sharifi and Eslam Nazemi
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
Volume 23 · Number 5 · 2008 · 350–362
359
The main challenge for management is to design the
organization structure base on functionality and upon to Adam
Smith concept.This concept tells that organizations should give
services to knowledge customers with new rules (competitive
and change). So the managers should forget the previous
traditional patterns and have a different approach to new
business processes.
Therefore managers must have the process approach and
design organizations with new approach. The processes must
have value added for customers. By this way it is expected that
these organizations can produce product and services with
high quality, low cost, high speed and have sufficient
flexibility.
6. Conclusion
Our organizations at the moment are facing many problems.
The main part of them is rooted in uncoordinated business
affairs. Processes function like veins whose task is running
affairs inside the body of the organization. However in the
executive system, for not reviewing mode of doing the jobs,
variety and complexity of organizations, these processes have
severely become inefficient. For this reason, to direct at
efficiency increase, customer-centricity, and global
competition, as the first step, organizations need to
reengineer their business processes.
According to the results achieved from this survey, it is
observed that not exactly identifying the problem by
Table V BPR project efficiency test results
Organization Assumption Number of observations (n) Frequency (PO) Test level (P) Statistical value
RTMJA H0: m # 3 5 0.42 0.50 0.515
H1: m . 3 7 0.17
12 0.58
MHMER H0: m # 3 4 0.67 0.50 21.03
H1: m . 3 2 0.33
6 1.00
MJF H0: m # 3 4 0.50 0.50 0.0
H1: m . 3 4 0.50
8 1.00
CAO H0: m # 3 8 0.67 0.50 21.252
H1: m . 3 4 0.33
12 1.00
MLSA H0: m # 3 3 0.38 0.50 0.693
H1: m . 3 5 0.62
9 1.00
MFA H0: m # 3 3 0.38 0.50 .693
H1: m . 3 5 0.62
8 1.00
MRT H0: m # 3 3 0.43 0.50 .347
H1: m . 3 4 0.57
7 1.00
IIDC H0: m # 3 0 0.00 0.50 99.984
H1: m . 3 4 1.00
4 1.00
MSRT H0: m # 3 1 0.15 0.50 97.1
H1: m . 3 3 0.85
4 1.00
MC H0: m # 3 5 0.45 0.50 0.316
H1: m . 3 6 0.55
11 1.00
IKC H0: m # 3 4 0.44 0.50 0.340
H1: m . 3 5 0.56
9 1.00
AIM H0: m # 3 3 0.43 0.50 0.347
H1: m . 3 4 0.57
7 1.00
BC H0: m # 3 3 0.38 0.50 0.61
H1: m . 3 5 0.62
8 1.00
Survey of BPR experiences in Iran
Mohammad Jafar Tarokh, Esmail Sharifi and Eslam Nazemi
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
Volume 23 · Number 5 · 2008 · 350–362
360
employers, consultants, and lack of experience of the
consulting companies and their experts, not paying
sufficient attention to the stakeholders in redesigned
processes, not prioritizing redesigned processed, no
competition in Iran’s special condition, and lack of
necessary training, all make serious obstacles for process
based organizations.
So it is suggested that, prior to executing BPR projects, it is
necessary every organization have an exact plan for accepting
change, initially for managers, and later for the staff, and then
BPR projects be executed.
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Table VI BPR project success test results, separated by projects
Organization Assumption Number of observation (n) Frequency (PO) Test level (P) Statistical Value
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Figure 7 Conceptual model for categorization of BPR projects
Survey of BPR experiences in Iran
Mohammad Jafar Tarokh, Esmail Sharifi and Eslam Nazemi
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
Volume 23 · Number 5 · 2008 · 350–362
361
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Corresponding author
Mohammad Jafar Tarokh can be contacted at: mjtarokh@
kntu.ac.ir
Survey of BPR experiences in Iran
Mohammad Jafar Tarokh, Esmail Sharifi and Eslam Nazemi
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
Volume 23 · Number 5 · 2008 · 350–362
362
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