ESSENCE AND CLASSIFICATION OF BUSINESS PROCESSES OF AN ENTERPRISE: THEORETICAL ASPECT

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive theoretical justification of the essence and classification of business processes within an enterprise. Business processes are interpreted as a fundamental category of management science, serving as a structured sequence of interconnected actions aimed at transforming resources into outputs that generate consumer value. The research highlights the multidimensionality of the concept of “process,” tracing its origins from philosophical and dialectical interpretations by Hegel and Heidegger to contemporary managerial perspectives and international quality standards such as ISO 9000:2015. Special attention is given to the category of “business,” which is examined through institutional, organizational, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions. At the intersection of these categories arises the definition of “business process,” which integrates structural order, systemic interrelation, and orientation towards achieving enterprise goals. The article synthesizes various scholarly approaches, demonstrating the absence of a unified definition of business processes and the diversity of classification principles. The main classifications are considered according to functional purpose (core, supporting, managerial, developmental), effectiveness, hierarchy, time horizon, regulation level, automation, and industry specificity. Such a systematization makes it possible to distinguish business processes that directly create consumer value from those that provide resources, ensure coordination, or foster long-term growth and innovation. Moreover, the article emphasizes sectoral peculiarities, particularly in agriculture, where seasonality, environmental conditions, and high dependence on external factors determine unique characteristics of processes. The study concludes that business processes represent a cyclic and multi-level phenomenon, encompassing interrelated stages from identification and modeling to monitoring and continuous improvement. Their structure correlates with the scientific model of “input–transformation–output–consumer–feedback,” which ensures efficiency, adaptability, and strategic alignment. Business processes thus become a key integrative mechanism that harmonizes strategic and operational management, enhances resource utilization, supports the achievement of enterprise goals, and strengthens competitiveness in a dynamic market environment.