Sustainability in Business Process Management: Research Landscape and Theoretical Implications

Abstract

Sustainability in Business Process Management (BPM) is a growing priority for organisations seeking to balance operational efficiency with environmental and social responsibility. Although research highlights the benefits of integrating sustainability into BPM—such as regulatory compliance, cost reduction and corporate reputation enhancement—the literature remains fragmented, lacking a structured understanding of key research strands. This study addresses this gap through a bibliometric literature review using co-occurrence analysis to map the research landscape. Four thematic clusters are identified: Sustainability in Business Processes, Green Business Process Management, Social Dimensions of Sustainable Development and Resource and Environmental Management in BPM. The findings offer a theoretical contribution by structuring sustainability-related BPM research into an integrative framework that connects process optimisation, corporate social responsibility and environmental management. Practically, the study offers guidance for organisations to embed sustainability into BPM strategies by adopting circular economy principles, leveraging digital innovations for sustainability tracking and fostering a culture of responsible process management. Future research is encouraged to explore empirical case studies, interdisciplinary perspectives and the role of emerging digital technologies to further develop the field of sustainability in BPM.