Risikomanagement mit prozessorientierten Informationssystemen

Abstract

This paper explores the integration of Internal Control Systems (ICS) with Business Process Management Systems (BPMS) to enhance corporate risk governance, identify previously undetected risks and opportunities, and improve organizational efficiency. As modern business environments grow increasingly complex, traditional manual approaches to risk identification based on managerial judgment or industry experience are proving insufficient. This limits a company’s ability to respond effectively to dynamic market conditions. The findings suggest that a digitally integrated ICS-BPMS framework can significantly enhance data quality, decision-making, and risk analysis, while offering transferable insights across industries. The document wraps up with practical suggestions and highlights potential avenues for future research within the area of digital control environments. The increasing complexity of modern business environments presents substantial challenges for organizations seeking to identify and manage risks and opportunities. Manual approaches to risk assessment often fall short due to their reliance on managerial expertise and sectorspecific intuition. To address these limitations, this paper examines how the integration of ICS with BPMS can systematically uncover hidden risks and opportunities while enhancing process efficiency. The objective is to demonstrate that automation and integration are not merely beneficial, but essential for sustainable corporate governance. This research adopts a qualitative approach based on systematic literature review. It entails current systems and technologies to uncover possibilities for integration and automation. The methodological focus lies in synthesizing theoretical insights and practical frameworks to develop a generalizable model that supports organizational decision-making, risk analysis, and performance optimization. This section introduces the fundamental concepts of Business Process Management (BPM). It covers the structure of process architecture, key modeling methodologies such as BPMN, and the significance of BPM in aligning business operations with strategic goals. BPM fosters transparency, standardizes processes, and promotes ongoing enhancement, positioning it as a vital instrument for contemporary organizational governance. The chapter elaborates on the purpose and structure of Internal Control Systems. It explains the functional objectives of ICS in safeguarding assets, ensuring compliance, and supporting reliable financial reporting. The segment additionally details the legal and regulatory obligations that oversee the implementation of ICS. Special emphasis is placed on the Three Lines of Defense model and international standards such as COSO, ISO 31000, and ISO 9001. This section explores the relevance of enterprise risk management and distinguishes it from compliance and internal control functions. It delves into the objectives of risk management systems and their integration into overall governance frameworks. The COSO Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework is throughly outlined as an extensive method for recognizing, evaluating, and addressing risks at every level of the organization. The fifth chapter examines how digital transformation influences internal controls and business operations. It examines current technological trends, including process automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. These innovations present significant opportunities for improving process performance and control reliability. A conceptual framework is proposed for integrating ICS and BPMS, with a focus on implementation strategies, system requirements, and potential efficiency gains. To validate the theoretical framework, this section presents a case study analyzing the real-world implementation of a BPMS integrated with ICS. It details the initial conditions, implementation procedures, and resulting outcomes. The study highlights both the challenges and benefits encountered during the integration process, offering insights into best practices for future applications. The concluding chapter encapsulates the key results of the research and offers practical suggestions for professionals in the field. It highlights the necessity of coordinating control systems with digital process frameworks to guarantee sustained operational efficiency. Additionally, it identifies avenues for future research, particularly in exploring industryspecific adaptations and the scalability of integration solutions.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	German (Austria)
Supervisor	Harald Dobernig (Supervisor)