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People: overlooked by re-engineering
1Business Performance Institute, Highland Park, IL, USA.
Administrative Radiology Journal : AR
|December 8, 1996
Summary
Business process re-engineering, initially proposed to cut costs, is now often used to justify layoffs and unrealistic performance expectations. This concept has evolved significantly since its inception.
Area of Science:
- Business Management
- Organizational Behavior
Background:
- Business process re-engineering (BPR) gained prominence with the publication of "Re-engineering the Corporation."
- The original concept focused on streamlining teams and leveraging technology to reduce costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the evolution and current application of business process re-engineering.
- To examine the shift in BPR's implementation from cost-cutting to workforce reduction.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of BPR publications and business practices.
- Analysis of the conceptual drift of BPR in corporate environments.
Main Results:
- BPR, initially a strategy for efficiency, is now frequently associated with downsizing.
- The term "re-engineering" has become a broad justification for layoffs and increased performance demands.
Conclusions:
- The practical application of BPR has diverged from its original intent.
- The current use of BPR raises concerns about employee welfare and sustainable business practices.