A request is received to initiate an operation (e.g., a query, etc.) on a view on a business object type. Such a request contains data characterizing the view which in turn characterizes a plurality of hierarchically arranged elements. Such elements characterized are associated with elements characterized by one or more business objects types. Thereafter, the operation is performed on the elements of the two or more business objects types. Responsive results of the operation responsive are mapped to the elements of the virtual business object type. After such mapping occurs, a message is generated that contains the results of the request in a structure compatible with the view.