Understanding Business Processes

Taking a systems perspective, this book enables the student to make sense of business behaviour by demonstrating how interrelated business processes determine the success of an organisation. What do business organisations do?The results of business behaviour can be seen and experienced in the form of the goods that are produced. However, what goes on within organisations is often hidden from the outside world. Taking a systems and process perspective, this book demonstrates that any business is a number of interrelated processes whose success is determined by the extent to which these activities add value whilst minimising cost. The book focuses on:* activities through which the organisation interacts with its customers, including marketing and sales* how organisations process materials including purchasing and manufacturing* forms of business organisation, with a critical account of new paradigms including Business Process Re-engineering.The book features articles by leading business gurus including Michael Porter, Philip Kotler and John Kay.