For an electrode process at a given potential the current is controlled by the kinetics of a number of steps which include the transport of reactants to and from the interface and the interfacial reaction itself. The latter, which is called the electrode reaction, must always include at least one elementary step in which charge is transferred from one phase to the other, but may also involve purely chemical steps within the interfacial region.
Source:
PAC, 1980, 52, 233. 'Electrode Reaction Orders, Transfer Coefficients and Rate Constants. Amplification of Definitions and Recommendations for Publication of Parameters' on page 235 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198052010233)