Enterprise Digitalization and Intelligent Workflow Automation for Improving Supply Chain Workforce Productivity in Saudi Arabia's Energy Sector

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@article{1725092,
      author = {Hashim Hussain},
      title = {Enterprise Digitalization and Intelligent Workflow Automation for Improving Supply Chain Workforce Productivity in Saudi Arabia's Energy Sector},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {10},
      number = {5},
      pages = {2293-2305},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1725092.pdf},
      abstract = {Enterprise digitalisation has become integral to procurement, materials planning and maintenance coordination, yet its contribution to employee productivity in energy supply chains remains poorly specified. This review examines how intelligent workflow automation changes the work of buyers, expeditors, planners, warehouse specialists and asset support personnel in Saudi Arabia. A structured, critically bounded synthesis of thirty peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025 compares process automation, digital integration, human decision rights and performance measurement. Rather than equating faster transactions with productivity, the analysis distinguishes task throughput, first-time-right quality, decision latency and resilience. It identifies three mechanisms of potential benefit: removing clerical handovers, improving cross-functional information reliability and directing professional attention towards consequential exceptions. However, fragmented master data, unstable business rules and poorly designed oversight can displace rather than eliminate work. The paper develops a risk-calibrated workflow framework that links data stewardship, automation boundaries and worker competence to measurable operational outcomes. Its contribution is an energy-specific explanation of when automation augments supply chain labour, alongside a testable implementation and research agenda for Saudi organisations.},
      keywords = {enterprise digitalisation, intelligent workflow automation, supply chain workforce productivity, energy sector, procurement, Saudi Arabia, process governance},
      month = {November},
  }