Conceptualizing Process Innovation with Analytics: A Framework and Research Agenda

Organizations are increasingly investing in Process Innovation with Analytics, i.e., the usage of analytics to innovate operational processes. Process innovation with analytics is a challenging and complex endeavor encompassing 1) redesign of processes, 2) development of digital infrastructure, and 3) analytics development. As a result, organizations need guidance on how to approach this complex challenge. While research on IT-enabled process innovation and analytics each offer valuable insights, process innovation with analytics necessitates contextualization of these knowledge bases due to its distinct characteristics. This paper aims to inspire further research into process innovation with analytics by 1) reconceptualizing analytics in the context of process innovation, and 2) proposing a research agenda, consisting of three research directions and five research challenges. The reconceptualization and research agenda are based on the authors’ experience from an Action Design Research study at a large global manufacturer and retailer focused on process innovation with analytics. Bridging analytics, process innovation, and infrastructure perspectives, the paper offers a foundation for future scholarly endeavors and calls for further research into 1) digital infrastructures for process innovation with analytics, 2) the relationship between process change and analytics development, and 3) governance of process innovation with analytics.