Towards a workflow‐based integration architecture for business networking

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to show how workflow management can be applied in the context of business networking. Design/methodology/approach The paper looks at workflow management systems (WfMSs) as an enterprise integration tool and, as such, it shows that WfMS require an appropriate integration infrastructure. The paper then describes how a WfMS that supports business networking can be built. Findings It is found that business networking requires a decentralized, peer‐to‐peer (P2P) integration infrastructure. On the other hand, it is found that it is possible to develop a generic and reusable workflow engine. Both components are then integrated in order to come up with a solution that supports business networking. Research limitations/implications Issues concerning information and document management are not addressed. Neither mechanisms of storage and retrieval of exchanged documents, nor the format/structure of those documents are specified. Practical implications The paper assumes that enterprises will be willing to build up a P2P network where they will conduct their business‐to‐business (B2B) exchanges. Then, the proposed solution would allow their business processes to be linked without requiring tight coupling between their information systems. Originality/value The paper is useful to IT strategists and researchers dealing with WfMS, B2B integration architectures and applications of P2P technology.