Multi-Grounded Development of Enterprise Modeling Methods:The Case of SIMM

Abstract:

• • Multi-Grounded Theory (MGT) extends Grounded Theory by further grounding processes, most notably theoretical grounding.

  • As an example for applying MGT we use the enterprise modeling method SIMM, which is empirically grounded, and show that this method can profit from grounding it also in an external theory.

  • We outline a procedure called communicative and material functions analysis that can be used for this purpose and apply it to Business Action Theory.

  • With the help of the extended method we analyze a business situation in order to follow up the commitments that are made in the course of a business process with the ultimate aim of detecting flaws in that process.

Introduction:

• • Grounded Theory (GT; Glaser, Strauss 1967; Glaser 1992; Glaser 1998; Strauss, Corbin 1998) was introduced to provide a systematic procedure for deriving categories and theoretical constructs from empirical data.

  • GT is, strictly speaking, not a theory but rather a method for theory development.

  • Its characteristics are the relatively short iteration cycles and a process of continual improvement.

  • Starting with a small set of empirical data we develop an initial understanding of the problem field, which then can be used to gather further empirical data in a more controlled fashion, leading to an improved understanding and so on until we reach theoretical saturation.

  • GT started out in sociology but has since been applied in a variety of fields including informatics.

  • In the latter it has also been used to develop modeling methods, typically based on action research.

  • An example of such a method is SIMM (Situation-adaptable work and Information systems Modeling Method; Goldkuhl 1996).

  • SIMM has been empirically grounded in action research projects some of which are documented in (Lind, Goldkuhl 1997; Melin, Goldkuhl 1999; Axelsson et al. 2000; Goldkuhl, Melin 2001; Axelsson, Segerkvist 2001; Lind et al. 2003; Melin, Axelsson 2004; Johansson, Axelsson 2004; Johansson, Axelsson 2005; Haraldsson, Lind 2005).

  • SIMM provides both a method for enterprise modeling and a meta-method for evaluating modeling methods.

  • Empirical grounding proceeds as follows: SIMM Enterprise Modeling is applied in an action research project.

  • The experiences gained from the use of the method are evaluated with the SIMM Meta Method and corresponding changes to SIMM Enterprise Modeling are made.

  • In a further round of action research these changes are consolidated and further improvements are made (see fig. 1).

• • GT has been criticized for being restricted to a purely inductive approach.

  • It is argued that we cannot ignore the knowledge that established theories might contribute.

  • Consequently, (Goldkuhl, Cronholm 2003) suggest that further grounding processes are required in addtion to the existing empirical grounding process, most of all a theoretical grounding process. They call this new approach Multi-Grounded Theory (MGT).

  • If we want to apply MGT in the context of enterprise modeling we must identify a suitable theory that can function as external theory for theoretical grounding.

  • For the purpose of this paper we have chosen Business Action Theory (BAT; Goldkuhl 1996; Goldkuhl 1998; Goldkuhl, Lind 2004) because some preliminary work has already been done in that area. E.g. (Goldkuhl 1996) has extended SIMM to cover communicative actions, which are essential in BAT.

  • Many other important concepts such as layers and phases have been disregarded, though.

  • It is the purpose of this paper to complete the theoretical grounding of SIMM in BAT.

  • This can be considered as a first step, as a grouding in other action theories might also be considered.

  • But as the choice of external theory is contingent there are strong arguments to synthesize the relevant theories as Goldkuhl (2005) pointed out.

  • The result, Socio-Instrumental Pragmatism (SIP; Goldkuhl 2002; Goldkuhl 2005), is a general ontology of social action.

  • So far it is not sufficiently developed to provide a basis for theoretical grounding. We therefore restrict our approach to BAT for the purpose of this paper.

  • The remaining sections are structured as follows: We first introduce BAT and the generic layered patterns for business modeling.

  • This framework is then refined by combining phases and layers.

  • We proceed by applying communicative and material functions analysis to it, followed by a classification of the resulting functions, and finally leading to the extension of SIMM in terms of BAT concepts.

  • We conclude by presenting an application of the extended method for the purpose of commitment analysis.

Business Transaction Theory:

SIMM Extented with Business Action Theory:

Conclusion:

• • According to MGT a modeling method can be informed by grounding it in some theory or theories.

  • We have chosen Business Action Theory to inform the existing enterprise modeling method of SIMM.

  • Grounding is performed via a procedure called communicative and material functions analysis.

  • The result is an extended method that reflects the properties of the theory.

  • We have shown the usefulness of this approach in the context of a case study involving the analysis of commitments in an interorganizational business process.

  • Future research might investigate the theoretical grounding of enterprise modeling in a more general theory or ontology.