Conceptualizing Processes in Robotic Process Automation: A Basic Meta-Model

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) uses software to mimic human actions in performing repetitive, time-consuming tasks, enabling organizations to strategically reallocate their workforce towards more value-driven activities. RPA can be used to build new intelligent systems that combine business with Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, despite its widespread adoption, RPA lacks standardization and a theoretical foundation, giving rise to misconception. For example, it has caused confusion between RPA and the established field of Business Process Automation (BPA), which has prevented organizations from properly using RPA in new intelligent systems. In this paper, we address the gap by proposing a basic meta-model for conceptualizing processes in RPA. Our research involves identifying key characteristics of processes suitable for RPA, deriving fundamental concepts of processes in RPA, and articulating the interrelations between them. Built upon such a conceptual foundation, we conduct a comparative analysis between RPA and BPA, clarifying the differences between the two. We further demonstrate the practical applicability of our proposed basic meta-model by identifying an instantiation of the meta-model manifested in three mainstream RPA software products, respectively. Our research contributes to laying the conceptual foundations of RPA and facilitating its standardization.