Robotic process automation

Peter Hofmann (), Caroline Samp () and Nils Urbach ()
Additional contact information
Peter Hofmann: Project Group Business & Information Systems Engineering of Fraunhofer FIT
Caroline Samp: University of Bayreuth
Nils Urbach: University of Bayreuth

Electronic Markets, 2020, vol. 30, issue 1, No 14, 99-106

Abstract: Abstract Within digital transformation, which is continuously progressing, robotic process automation (RPA) is drawing much corporate attention. While RPA is a popular topic in the corporate world, the academic research lacks a theoretical and synoptic analysis of RPA. Conducting a literature review and tool analysis, we propose – in a holistic and structured way – four traits that characterize RPA, providing orientation as well as a focus for further research. Software robots automate processes originally performed by human work. Thus, software robots follow a choreography of technological modules and control flow operators while operating within IT ecosystems and using established applications. Ease-of-use and adaptability allow companies to conceive and implement software robots through (agile) projects. Organizational and IT strategy, governance structures, and management systems therefore must address both the direct effects of software robots automating processes and their indirect impacts on firms.

Keywords: Robotic process automation; Business process automation; Software robots; IS ecosystems; Back-office; RPA (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: M15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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DOI: 10.1007/s12525-019-00365-8

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