laborflow

Laborflow is a term used in economics and operations management to describe how labor resources move and are allocated within an economy or organization. It encompasses geographic and occupational movement of workers as well as the flow of tasks through a production or service process.

In economics, laborflow interacts with labor supply and demand, wages, unemployment, and migration. Policy, education, and technology influence the ease with which workers can retrain, relocate, or switch occupations, thereby shaping labor market dynamics.

In operations management, laborflow refers to how work is assigned, sequenced, and paced to maximize productivity. It involves workflow design, line balancing, capacity planning, and scheduling, with the aim of reducing idle time and avoiding bottlenecks. Analytical methods include time-motion studies, process mining, queueing theory, and value stream mapping.

Measurement and data often focus on labor utilization, turnover, cycle time, unit labor cost, and throughput. Modern practice uses workforce analytics to monitor skills, availability, and task allocation, enabling more responsive staffing.

See also: labor mobility, workforce planning, and human resource analytics.