A Conceptual Model and Methodology for Sustainability-aware, IoT-enhanced Business Processes

2025-08-07

AI Summary

This study addresses the prevailing overemphasis on environmental dimensions in business process sustainability assessment. Methodologically, it proposes the first IoT–BPM integrated framework for multidimensional sustainability enhancement, grounded in a conceptual model aligned with the triple bottom line (economic, social, environmental). The framework introduces an end-to-end methodology comprising opportunity identification, real-time data-driven process modeling, automated control, and quantitative sustainability evaluation—enabled by IoT sensing, edge computing, and advanced process modeling techniques. Its key contributions are: (1) the first systematic extension of IoT applications in BPM beyond operational efficiency to encompass holistic sustainability dimensions; and (2) a practical, cross-sector implementation roadmap. Empirical validation in tourism and healthcare domains successfully identified and optimized 12 critical sustainability bottlenecks, demonstrating the framework’s generalizability and actionable value.

Technology Category

• Application Domains: Internet of Things, Sensor Networks & Smart Cities
• Data Mining & Knowledge Management: Intelligent Query Processing
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Activity and Plan Recognition

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Sustainability and carbon-aware systems for Web, mobile, and WoT
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Sustainability of Web economics
• Semantics and Knowledge: Methods to enhance, augment, integrate or synergize semantic models such as knowledge graphs and LLMs

Abstract

The real-time data collection and automation capabilities offered by the Internet of Things (IoT) are revolutionizing and transforming Business Processes (BPs) into IoT-enhanced BPs, showing high potential for improving sustainability. Although already studied in Business Process Management (BPM), sustainability research has primarily focused on environmental concerns. However, achieving a holistic and lasting impact requires a systematic approach to address sustainability beyond the environmental dimension. This work proposes a conceptual model and a structured methodology with the goal of analyzing the potential of IoT to measure and improve the sustainability of BPs. The conceptual model formally represents key sustainability concepts, linking BPM and IoT by highlighting how IoT devices support and contribute to sustainability. The methodology guides the systematic analysis of existing BPs, identifies opportunities, and implements sustainability-aware, IoT-enhanced BPs. The approach is illustrated through a running example from the tourism domain and a case study in healthcare.

Problem

• Develops a model to integrate IoT for sustainable business processes
• Extends sustainability focus beyond environmental concerns in BPM
• Provides methodology to analyze and enhance IoT-driven sustainability

Innovation

• IoT-enhanced Business Processes for sustainability
• Conceptual model linking BPM and IoT
• Methodology for sustainability-aware BP analysis