Agentic AI In Business Processes: A Conceptually Grounded Analysis Of Open-Source Implementations

Agentic AI is increasingly discussed as a prospective participant in business processes, yet it remains unclear how current implementations relate to this vision. The present paper develops a conceptually grounded analytical lens that integrates ontological spheres, lifecycle positioning, and functional roles to examine how agentic behaviour manifests in practice. Applying the lens to contemporary open-source implementations, we identify recurring patterns that indicate a predominantly execution-oriented and narrowly scoped manifestation of agentic behaviour, while broader lifecycle integration and higher-order autonomy remain limited. Our insights provide an empirically grounded view of the current state of agentic participation in business processes and clarify the extent to which conceptual aspirations are realised in practice. We contribute a structured basis for assessing emerging implementations and outline implications for advancing research on higher-order autonomy, enterprise-level embedding, and responsible governance.