Sustainable Implementation of Robotic Process Automation Based on a Multi-Objective Mathematical Model

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This work is more like a course report than a scientific research paper. The scientific research contribution is very limited, and I have not found any innovative points.

Extensive editing of English language required

Author Response

The scientific research presented in this work offers several significant contributions to the field of sustainable Robotic Process Automation (RPA) implementation and introduces innovative elements to the realm of science. Some of the primary contributions and innovative aspects include:

Multi-Objective Approach and Mathematical Modeling: The utilization of a multi-objective mathematical model is groundbreaking, as it allows for the simultaneous assessment of various metrics of efficiency and sustainability. This approach provides a more comprehensive and balanced view of the impacts of RPA implementation, going beyond one-dimensional analysis. It can serve as a valuable method for other studies seeking to evaluate the impact of emerging technologies on different organizational aspects.

Inclusion of User Requirements: The incorporation of user requirements into the multi-objective model is a significant contribution, as it underscores the importance of human aspects and user needs in the RPA implementation process. This consideration not only enhances the accuracy of assessment but also highlights the critical role users play in the successful adoption of technologies.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility: The emphasis on sustainability and considerations of environmental, social, and economic factors in RPA implementation is a relevant contribution. Few studies address the intersection of technology and sustainability as comprehensively and deeply, which may inspire further research to explore how technological innovations can align with social and environmental responsibility.

Addressing Current Challenges: The study addresses current challenges related to resource efficiency, cost minimization, and equitable workload distribution. By proposing tangible solutions to these challenges, the work provides practical guidance for organizations seeking to implement RPA sustainably and efficiently, becoming a valuable reference for decision-makers.

Application in Diverse Organizational Contexts: The application of the model in a specific case study demonstrates its adaptability to different organizational contexts, highlighting its practical utility and capacity to serve as a framework across various business situations.

Integration of Diverse Aspects: The most innovative feature of this work is its ability to encompass a wide range of key aspects for sustainable RPA implementation within a single model. The approach covers not only technical and financial aspects but also environmental, social, ethical, and human impact considerations. This rarity in current literature contributes to a more holistic understanding of RPA implementation.

In summary, the scientific inquiry undertaken in this work contributes to the effective comprehension and application of sustainable RPA implementation, while also introducing innovative approaches that consider user needs, sustainability, and social responsibility. These contributions have the potential to positively influence how organizations adopt and utilize robotic process automation technology.

I have thoroughly investigated and studied RPA technology, and one of the remarkable aspects of this work is its ability to unite the concepts of sustainability and RPA technology. In the literature, few works encompass both themes, and models for RPA implementation are also scarce. The use of a multi-objective model applied to this context is also a rare find. A significant revision has been conducted across all the points mentioned, including an improvement in the language used.

All aspects have been enhanced, including the descriptive and contextualized content with theoretical and practical emphasis. The references provided are substantial, particularly concerning the intersection of RPA technology and sustainability. The research question, hypotheses, and methods employed are clearly presented, alongside well-structured arguments, findings, and conclusions.

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear respected authors,

 

1. The Abstract section needs to be extended. The aims of the study, methodology, main findings, and conclusion should be mentioned in this section.
2. The Keywords have been selected well; however, it is recommended to add one or two more.
3. In the first paragraph of the Introduction section, sustainability should be defined first, if needed. According to the reviewer's point of view, sustainability is a concept that has been defined for decades. Hence, it is not a project or study that aims to do something. There is a small difference in between, and I hope the respected authors get my concern and modify it appropriately.
4. It would be brilliant if the respected authors connected sustainability to Robotic Process automation and then dealt with the latter one.
5. It is recommended to hesitate when using "we" in a scientific article. (Line 36, for instance.)
6. It is suggested to add a section entitled problem definition or similar and bring the hypotheses into that section after scrutinizing the problem in this study.
7. It is recommended to keep the referencing style of the journal in the text. For instance, in line 98, it should be referenced as [9–11]  instead of [9, 10, 11].
8. The title of subsection 2.3 should be eliminated or changed, as the whole content of Section 2 is related to a literature review.
9. Figure 1 needs to be improved. Some phrases have not been centered in the box; some boxes are on top of each other, etc. Font sizes should be corrected too.
10. Numbers [44] and [54] may be eliminated from Table 4, and the third and last columns are suggested to be deleted. In this way, your contribution shined, considering the related literature.
11. It seems Table 5 is redundant and can be eliminated from the text.
12. The quality of Figures 2, 3, and 4 is very low. They should be replaced by a better one.
13. It is suggested that the title of Section 4 be changed to Mathematical Formulations.
14. Equation numbers should be on the right side of the formula and at the end of the row.
15. Please explain how the last row of Table 8 has been obtained.
16. The quality of all figures is too low.
17. The last column of Table 9 can be eliminated as it contains a repetitive value that can be explained in a sentence.

Author Response

The scientific research presented in this study offers several significant contributions to the realm of sustainable Robotic Process Automation (RPA) implementation and introduces innovative elements to the field of science. Some of the key contributions and innovative aspects encompass:

Multi-Objective Approach and Mathematical Modeling: The utilization of a multi-objective mathematical model is pioneering as it enables the simultaneous assessment of multiple efficiency and sustainability metrics. This approach provides a more comprehensive and balanced view of the impacts of RPA implementation, extending beyond unidimensional analysis. This can serve as a valuable approach for other studies aiming to evaluate the influence of emerging technologies on various organizational facets.

Incorporation of User Requirements: The integration of user requirements into the multi-objective model is a substantial contribution as it underscores the significance of human aspects and user needs within the RPA implementation process. This consideration not only enhances assessment precision but also emphasizes the critical role that users play in the successful adoption of technologies.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility: The emphasis on sustainability and considerations spanning environmental, social, and economic dimensions in RPA implementation is a pertinent contribution. Few studies approach the intersection between technology and sustainability with such depth and comprehensiveness. This could potentially inspire further research to explore how technological innovations can harmonize with social and environmental responsibility.

Addressing Current Challenges: The study addresses contemporary challenges tied to resource efficiency, cost reduction, and equitable workload distribution. By proposing tangible solutions to these challenges, the work provides pragmatic guidance to organizations aiming for sustainable and efficient RPA implementation, positioning itself as a valuable reference for decision-makers.

Application in Diverse Organizational Contexts: The application of the model in a specific case study underscores its adaptability across varied organizational contexts, underscoring its practical utility and its ability to serve as a reference framework across diverse business scenarios.

Integration of Diverse Aspects: The most innovative aspect of this study lies in its capacity to encompass a wide spectrum of pivotal elements for the sustainable implementation of RPA within a unified model. The approach encompasses not only technical and financial aspects but also environmental, social, ethical, and human impact considerations. Such comprehensive coverage is rare in current literature and contributes to a more holistic comprehension of RPA implementation.

In essence, the scientific inquiry conducted in this study contributes to an effective comprehension and application of sustainable RPA implementation, while also introducing innovative methodologies that factor in user needs, sustainability, and social responsibility. These contributions have the potential to generate positive impacts on how organizations embrace and harness robotic process automation technology.

This work has undergone thorough revision, with all the mentioned topics having undergone improvement. New graphics were designed to enhance visibility and analysis. The only suggestion not implemented was item 17, as I believe that the elimination of the column from Table 9 isn't advisable. This is due to two reasons: for the sake of uniformity with the other scenario's table, and because, in the presentation of the three objectives in the table, even if they hold the same value, it is more perceptible for the reader to see all three objectives in the table rather than just one sentence. Apart from this, I wish to express my gratitude for your valuable insights, as I concur with all of them, and I did my utmost to present a high-quality paper. Thank you for your assistance; I've additionally engaged a language professional proficient in English to further enhance the article. Every other aspect has been improved. Thank you.

Reviewer 3 Report

This study presented an interesting and well-organized work on the robotic process automation. The authors utilized several methods to identify articles that contain useful context, to organize them and to collect the equivalent data. Moreover, a case study was presented involving questionnaire, case hypotheses and the proposition of a multi-objective optimization model, along with the results.

I believe this article can be published after some minor issues are taken care of.

 

Lines 361-362, Line 799 and so on: Would be more appropriate if the authors change "...I will explain..." to "This section explains..." or something similar.

Figure 2 needs to be replaced with a figure of better resolution.

Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 are not readable, please replace accordingly.

Lines 892, 893 and so on: Please use the appropriate symbol for multiplication, thus "×", and not the asterisk.

I recommend the authors to include an index summarizing all abbreviations used in the text.

 

Author Response

The scientific research presented in this work provides a range of substantial contributions to the sphere of sustainable Robotic Process Automation (RPA) implementation, introducing innovative elements to the forefront of science. Some of the key contributions and groundbreaking facets are as follows:

Multi-Objective Approach and Mathematical Modeling: The integration of a multi-objective mathematical model is pioneering, facilitating the concurrent evaluation of multiple efficiency and sustainability metrics. This method offers a comprehensive and well-balanced perspective on the impacts of RPA implementation, transcending unidimensional analyses. It holds the potential to be a valuable approach for other studies seeking to assess the implications of emerging technologies on diverse organizational aspects.

Inclusion of User Requirements: The incorporation of user requirements within the multi-objective model constitutes a significant contribution, emphasizing the importance of human elements and user needs within the RPA implementation process. This consideration not only enhances the precision of assessments but also underscores the pivotal role users play in the successful integration of technologies.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility: The emphasis on sustainability and considerations spanning environmental, social, and economic dimensions in RPA implementation is a pertinent contribution. Few studies explore the intersection of technology and sustainability with such comprehensive depth, potentially inspiring further exploration into how technological innovations can align with social and environmental responsibility.

Addressing Current Challenges: This study addresses contemporary challenges related to resource efficiency, cost minimization, and equitable workload distribution. By proposing concrete solutions to these challenges, the research furnishes pragmatic guidance for organizations aiming to implement RPA sustainably and efficiently, positioning itself as a valuable point of reference for decision-makers.

Application in Various Organizational Contexts: The application of the model within a specific case study highlights its adaptability across diverse organizational contexts, underscoring its practical utility and its potential as a reference framework in diverse business scenarios.

Integration of Multifaceted Aspects: The most innovative characteristic of this work lies in its capability to encompass a broad array of pivotal facets for the sustainable implementation of RPA within a singular model. The approach encapsulates not just technical and financial aspects but also encompasses environmental, social, ethical, and human impact considerations. This holistic coverage is a rarity in current literature and contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of RPA implementation.

In summary, the scientific inquiry undertaken in this work contributes to the effective comprehension and application of sustainable RPA implementation, while concurrently introducing innovative methodologies that consider user needs, sustainability, and social responsibility. These contributions bear the potential to yield a positive impact on how organizations adopt and leverage robotic process automation technology.

This work has undergone comprehensive revision, encompassing all the mentioned topics and effecting enhancements accordingly. Fresh graphics have been designed to optimize their clarity and analytical potential. The sole suggestion not executed pertains to the inclusion of an index; our reasoning being that the most frequently occurring abbreviation is "RPA," and beyond that, there are minimal instances (this segment has also been improved and expanded upon). With gratitude, I acknowledge your invaluable input, as I align with every perspective shared, and I've diligently worked to present a high-quality study. I extend my sincere thanks for your assistance. Moreover, I've also enlisted the expertise of a language professional proficient in English to further elevate the article. All other aspects have been fortified. Thank you.

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear respected authors,

1.      It is recommended to hesitate when using "we" in a scientific article. (Line 51, for instance.)

2.      Still the quality of figures are low and needs to be improved.

3.      Table 4 should be drawn appropriately.

 

4.      The last column of Table 7 should be eliminated as it contains a repetitive value that can be explained in a sentence.

Author Response

In the context of the peer review process of a scientific article, it is paramount to consider the observations and recommendations made by the reviewers with the aim of enhancing the quality of the work. In this context, we present our justifications and actions regarding the reviewer's comments, with the objective of elucidating the modifications made and the underlying reasons for these changes.

In the first point raised by the reviewer, the recommendation to avoid the use of the pronoun "we" in a scientific article was acknowledged and implemented. In line 51, the use of this pronoun was identified, and the necessary correction was made. We fully agree with the reviewer's suggestion, as language in scientific articles should be more impersonal and objective, avoiding the inclusion of personal opinions or references to the research team.

In the second point, the reviewer pointed out that the quality of the presented figures was below the desired standard and required improvement. Considering the reference to "Table 4," we inferred that it specifically pertained to that table. We indeed found that the numbers were presented in a condensed manner, making them difficult to read. Consequently, we revised "Table 4," redesigning it appropriately and ensuring that the quality of the numbers was significantly enhanced. We appreciate the reviewer for this valuable observation, which contributed to the refinement of our work.

In the third point, the reviewer reiterated the need for proper presentation of "Table 4." As mentioned earlier, this table was reviewed and redesigned in accordance with best practices for presenting scientific data. Thus, we ensure that "Table 4" now complies with the quality standards expected in scientific articles.

Finally, in the fourth point, the reviewer suggested removing the last column of "Table 7," arguing that it contained repetitive information that could be explained in a subsequent sentence. We accepted this recommendation and proceeded to remove the relevant column, providing an explanation in a sentence immediately following the table. This action simplified the presentation of data in the table, making it clearer and more concise.

In summary, we would like to express our gratitude to the reviewer for their critical analysis and constructive recommendations that significantly contributed to the improvement of our article. We are committed to ensuring the quality and accuracy of our work, and these suggestions were crucial in achieving that objective. We remain available to clarify any further questions and once again appreciate the valuable contribution of the reviewer to the enhancement of our research.

Thank you.