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

TL;DR

This paper introduces a conceptual model and methodology to analyze and enhance the sustainability of business processes using IoT, addressing environmental and broader sustainability concerns.

Contribution

It presents a formal model linking IoT and sustainability in business processes and a structured methodology for systematic analysis and implementation.

Findings

The model effectively links IoT capabilities with sustainability concepts.

The methodology guides systematic analysis and enhancement of BPs.

Case studies demonstrate practical applicability in tourism and healthcare.

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.