Universität zu Köln

Recker, Jan C. ORCID: 0000-0002-2072-5792 (2013). Empirical investigation of the usefulness of Gateway constructs in process models. European journal of information systems : EJIS ; an official journal of the Operational Research Society, 22 (6). pp. 673-689. London: Taylor and Francis. ISSN 1476-9344

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Abstract

Process modeling grammars are used to create scripts of a business domain that a process-aware information system is intended to support. A key grammatical construct of such grammars is known as a Gateway. A Gateway construct is used to describe scenarios in which the workflow of a process diverges or converges according to relevant conditions. Gateway constructs have been subjected to much academic discussion about their meaning, role and usefulness, and have been linked to both process-modeling errors and process-model understandability. This paper examines perceptual discriminability effects of Gateway constructs on an individual's abilities to interpret process models. We compare two ways of expressing two convergence and divergence patterns — Parallel Split and Simple Merge — implemented in a process modeling grammar. On the basis of an experiment with 98 students, we provide empirical evidence that Gateway constructs aid the interpretation of process models due to a perceptual discriminability effect, especially when models are complex. We discuss the emerging implications for research and practice, in terms of revisions to grammar specifications, guideline development and design choices in process modeling.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Recker, Jan C. UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-2072-5792
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-87676
DOI:	10.1057/ejis.2012.50
Journal or Publication Title:	European journal of information systems : EJIS ; an official journal of the Operational Research Society
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis
ISSN:	1476-9344
Volume:	22
Number:	6
Subjects:	Data processing Computer science Management and auxiliary services
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Process modeling English Visual expressiveness English Process model comprehension English Gateway constructs English
Faculty:	Faculty of Management, Economy and Social Sciences
Divisions:	Weitere Institute, Arbeits- und Forschungsgruppen > Cologne Institute for Information Systems (CIIS)
Language:	English
Date:	November 2013
Place of Publication:	London
Refereed:	Yes
Page Range:	pp. 673-689
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/8767