Scholarly record
DATA-DRIVEN ANALYSIS OF WORKFORCE FLOW FOR ADVANCING GREEN AND CIRCULAR ORGANIZATIONAL PRACTICES
Abstract
Organizations increasingly recognize the importance of workflow management in achieving resource efficiency and environmental goals. This study presents a data-driven approach to monitoring and analysing employee workflow as an integral part of green and circular organizational systems. By incorporating digital activity data such as software usage patterns, communication frequency, meeting durations, and the intensity of multitasking, organizations can identify inefficiencies, digital waste, and work practices that generate unnecessary energy consumption. The developed framework interprets workflow as a micro-level circularity mechanism, where the efficient circulation of time, attention, and digital resources reduces the overall environmental footprint of an organization's operations. Continuous monitoring of digital behaviour makes it possible to detect patterns of excessive cognitive load, redundant communication, or fragmented work, all of which frequently contribute to unnecessary time and energy consumption in the digital environment. Empirical analysis shows that optimized workflow models are closely linked to improved resource utilization, reduced emissions and increased employee well-being, thus creating synergies between human resource and technological process efficiency within the framework of a circular economy. The results indicate that digital monitoring systems can serve as an effective tool for sustainable management, promoting balanced workloads, energy-efficient work habits and data-driven decision-making. The study contributes to the emerging research field of -green digitalization- by interpreting workflow monitoring as a strategic tool for achieving both economic and environmental goals. It offers an analytical framework for organizations that want to integrate data analytics into their sustainability management systems, promoting the coordinated development of technological innovation and ecological responsibility.
Publication Impact Profile
Publication details
References14
Chakraborty, A., De, D., & Dey, P. K. (2025). Circular economy in small and medium-sized enterprises�Current trends, practical challenges and future research agenda. Systems, 13(3), 200. DOI: 10.3390/systems13030200
Bjarntoft, S.; Hallman, D.M.; Zetterberg, C.; Larsson, J.; Edvinsson, J.; Jahncke, H. A Participatory Approach to Identify Key Areas for Sustainable Work Environment and Health in Employees with Flexible Work Arrangements. Sustainability 2021, 13, 13593. DOI: 10.3390/su132413593
Wang, L., & Xie, T. (2023). Double-edged sword effect of flexible work arrangements on employee innovation performance: From the demands�resources�individual effects perspective. Sustainability, 15(13), Article 10159. DOI: 10.3390/su151310159
Narwaria, T., Dwivedi, R. K., Singhal, A., Sharma, G., & Gupta, V. (2025). Understanding the relationship between employee well-being and turnover intentions in a circular workplace: A review of the evidence and practices. In A. L. Issac & H. Baber (Eds.), Circular economy and human resources: Global perspectives (pp. 81�97). Springer Nature Singapore. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-95-1537-0_6
Al-Sabi, S., Al-Ababneh, M. M., & Al Qsssem, A. H. (2024). Green human resource management practices and environmental performance: The mediating role of job satisfaction and pro-environmental behavior. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1). DOI: 10.1080/23311975.2024.2328316
Malmodin, J., & Lassen, C. (2024). ICT sector electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions � Issues, trends and future. Telecommunications Policy, 48(5), 102703. DOI: 10.1016/j.telpol.2023.102701
Quisbert-Trujillo, E.; Ben Rejeb, H. (2025). Digital Drivers and Challenges in Sustainable Enterprise Strategies: An Analysis of Information Capabilities, Motivations, and Environmental Practices�Insights from France. Sustainability 2025, 17, 761. DOI: 10.3390/su17020761
Freitag, C., Bernhardt, L., Tamm, K., Wuest, T., & Thiede, S. (2021). Sociotechnical systems as a foundation for the transition to a circular economy: A systematic literature review. Procedia CIRP, 98, 353�358.
Wu, Y. (2025). Identifying and prioritizing essential skills for the circular economy workforce. Journal of Environmental Management, 393, 127237 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127237
Li, C., et al. (2023). The mediating role of waste reduction and energy use. Science of the Total Environment, 873, 162774.
World Economic Forum. (2023). Collaborative structures for accelerating the circular economy. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org [Accessed on15.11.2025.]
Kumar, R., & Raman, R. (2022). Transitioning to a circular economy: The human behavior change and organizational adaptation required. Organization & Environment, 35(4), 551�554.
Dur�es, R. S. S., & Enes, R. de F. de F. (2025). Exploring the circular economy: An analysis of leadership, corporate awareness and organizational culture. International Journal of Professional Business Review, 10(1), e05197. DOI: 10.26668/businessreview/2025.v10i1.5197
Geissdoerfer, M., Pieroni, M. P. P., Pigosso, D. C. A., & Soufani, K. (2020). Circular business models: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 277, 123741. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123741
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.

