PROCESS-ORIENTED PUBLIC MANAGEMENT FOR THE REDUCTION OF SOCIAL INEQUALITIES AND SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This article analyzes how process-oriented public management can contribute to reducing social inequalities and strengthening socio-environmental sustainability. Through a systematic literature review, 37 studies published between 2020 and 2024 in the Scopus, Dialnet, and SciELO databases were examined. Three thematic areas were identified: conceptual foundations, public processes impacting equity, and mechanisms for evaluating effectiveness. Findings show that process management improves operational efficiency, reinforces institutional transparency, and enables a more equitable allocation of resources—particularly in critical sectors such as water, health, energy, and sanitation. Additionally, its implementation is associated with administrative modernization, strategic control, and enhanced responsiveness to social and environmental challenges. However, structural barriers persist, including limited technical training, political resistance, and low levels of digitalization. It is concluded that when integrated with ethical leadership, technological transformation, and a resilient organizational culture, this approach can serve as a key tool for advancing inclusive, sustainable, and territorially just development models.