Most industrial supply chains today are globally scattered, and nearly all organizations rely on their Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) for integration and coordination of their activities. In this context, innovation in a global supply chain must be driven by advanced information technology. This paper proposes a new research program on global supply chain intelligence, and argues that a conceptual framework for Business Process Innovation (BPI) is required in order to approach innovations in a global supply chain. A research proposal based on five interrelated topics is derived from the framework. The research program is intended to establish and develop the conceptual framework for business process innovation further and to apply this framework in a global supply chain context.

Organizations today are required not only to operate effective business processes but also need to accommodate to changing business conditions at an increasing rate. Consequently, the ability to develop and implement new processes driven by the Enterprise Information Systems is a central competence in most industries, and furthermore it is a critical practice for a global enterprise.

The next practice in Global Supply Chain Management (GSCM) is Business Process Innovation (BPI). BPI is the transformation of a global supply chain driven by a new advanced Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) technology. This technology holds the potential to "close the control loop", but until now few organizations have managed to unleash the full potential of global supply chain intelligence. Thus, there is an emerging need for managing the transformation and for new approaches that will lead to robust global supply chains.

This paper proposes a new research program on global supply chain intelligence, and argues that a conceptual framework for Business Process Innovation (BPI) is required in order to approach innovations in a global supply chain. Few words are more ubiquitous in business or society today than "innovation". This reflects that businesses are striving for ways to survive and thrive in an increasingly complex and connected world (IBM, 2006).

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