Digital green transformation: technology-specific insights into advancing environmental sustainability
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7433/2025.08Keywords:
digital technologies, environmental sustainability, manufacturing industry, digital green transformationAbstract
Despite the growing focus on digital technologies and environmental sustainability, their intersection is still underexplored. This study seeks to investigate the distinct roles of each DT—such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things —in advancing ES within businesses. Our analysis reveals that each technology offers unique pathways to ES, yet companies often lack a comprehensive understanding of these opportunities. Introducing the concept of digital green transformation, This research highlights the synergy between digital innovation and environmental responsibility, promoting technology-specific approaches to achieving sustainability. To demonstrate the practical implications of DGT, we conduct an in-depth case study on Italy's manufacturing industry, known for its environmental impact. The findings extend beyond theoretical discourse, providing actionable insights that can guide both academic research and industry practices towards a more sustainable future. By highlighting the necessity for a balanced and detailed approach to digital transformation, this study supports the strategic integration of DTs to achieve significant environmental outcomes.
References
Aldieri, L., Kotsemir, M., & Vinci, C. P. (2019). The role of environmental innovation through the technological proximity in the implementation of the sustainable development. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29, 493–502.
Appio, F. P., Frattini, F., Petruzzelli, A. M., & Neirotti, P. (2021). Digital transformation and innovation management: A synthesis of existing research and an agenda for future studies. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 38(1), 4–20.
Bansal, P., & Corley, K. (2012). Publishing in AMJ—Part 7: What's different about qualitative research?. Academy of management Journal, 55(3), 509-513.
Bhatia, M., Meenakshi, N., Kaur, P., & Dhir, A. (2024). Digital technologies and carbon neutrality goals: An in-depth investigation of drivers, barriers, and risk mitigation strategies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 451, 141946
Bhatia, M., Meenakshi, N., Kaur, P., & Dhir, A. (2024). Digital technologies and carbon neutrality goals: An in-depth investigation of drivers, barriers, and risk mitigation strategies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 451, 141946
Bohnsack, R., Bidmon, C. M., & Pinkse, J. (2022). Sustainability in the digital age: Intended and unintended consequences of digital technologies for sustainable development. Business Strategy and the Environment, 31(2), 599–602.
Camodeca, R., & Almici, A. (2021). Digital Transformation and Convergence toward the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainability Development
Goals: Evidence from Italian Listed Firms. Sustainability, 13(21), 11831.
Chesbrough, H. (2006). Open innovation: a new paradigm for understanding industrial innovation. Open innovation: Researching a new paradigm, 400, 0-19
Conejo, A., Birat, J., & Dutta, A. (2020). A review of the current environmental challenges of the manufacturing industry and its value chain. Journal of Environmental Management, 259, 109782.
Costantini, V., & Mazzanti, M. (2012). On the green and innovative side of trade competitiveness? The impact of environmental policies and innovation on EU exports. Research Policy, 41(1), 132-153.
Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Building theories from case study research. Academy of Management Review, 14(4), 532-550.
Engert, S., & Baumgartner, R. J. (2016). Corporate sustainability strategy – bridging the gap between formulation and implementation. Business Strategy and the Environment, 25(3), 191-206.
European Commission. (2019). Blueprint for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills-towards an EU Strategy Addressing the Skills Needs of the Manufacturing Sector: European Vision on Manufacturing-Related Skills of Today and Tomorrow—Study. Brussels, Belgium.
European Commission. (2022). 2022 Strategic foresight report. Twinning the green and digital transitions in the new geopolitical context. COM (2022) 289 final. Brussels.
European Manufacturing Association. (2023). European Manufacturing in Figures 2023. Retrieved from EUROFER.
Geissdoerfer, M., Savaget, P., Bocken, N. M. P., & Hultink, E. J. (2017). The Circular Economy – A new sustainability paradigm. Journal of Cleaner Production, 143, 757-768.
Geissdoerfer, M., Vladimirova, D., & Evans, S. (2018). Sustainable business model innovation: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 198, 401-416.
George, G., & Schillebeeckx, S. J. D. (2021). Digital sustainability and its implications for finance and climate change. Macroeconomic Review, 20(1), 103-109.
Ghobakhloo, M., Iranmanesh, M., Grybauskas, A., Vilkas, M., & Petraitė, M. (2021). Industry 4.0, innovation, and sustainable development: A systematic review and a roadmap to sustainable innovation. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(8), 4237–4257.
Guandalini, I. (2022). Sustainability through digital transformation: A systematic literature review for research guidance. Journal of Business Research, 148, 456-471.
Hanelt, A., Busse, S., & Kolbe, L. M. (2017). Driving business transformation toward sustainability: Exploring the impact of supporting IS on the performance contribution of eco-innovations. Information Systems Journal, 27(3), 396-423.
Heyman, F., Norbäck, P. J., & Persson, L. (2021). Digitalisation, Productivity and Jobs: A European Perspective. The European Union and the Technology Shift, 135-159.
Hülle, J., Kaspar, R. H., & Möller, K. (2011). Multiple Criteria Decision Making in Management Accounting and Control - State of the Art and Research Perspectives based on a Bibliometric Study. Journal of Multi-criteria Decision Analysis, 18(3-4), 125-147.
Javaid, M., Haleem, A., Singh, R. P., Suman, R., & Rab, S. (2021). Role of additive manufacturing applications towards environmental sustainability. Advanced Industrial and Engineering Polymer Research, 4(4), 312-322.
Jibril, H., Kesidou, E., & Roper, S. (2024). Do digital technologies enable firms that prioritize sustainability goals to innovate? Empirical evidence from established UK micro‐businesses. British Journal of Management.
Lu, H. T., Li, X., & Yuen, K. F. (2023). Digital transformation as an enabler of sustainability innovation and performance–Information processing and innovation ambidexterity perspectives. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 196, 122860.
Lu, Y. (2017). Industry 4.0: A survey on technologies, applications and open research issues. Journal of Industrial Information Integration, 6, 1-10.
Markowitz, D. M., Laha, R., Perone, B. P., Pea, R. D., & Bailenson, J. N. (2018). Immersive Virtual Reality Field Trips Facilitate
Learning About Climate Change. Frontiers, 9, 2364.
Masłoń-Oracz, A., Ojiambo, J., & Kevin, O. (2021). Digital economy as a driver of sustainable and inclusive growth in Africa—Case Study. In Research and Innovation Forum 2020: Disruptive Technologies in Times of Change (pp. 605-616).
McKinsey & Company. (2021). China's digital R&D imperative. Retrieved from McKinsey: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/chinas-digital-r-and-d-imperative
Minoli, D., & Occhiogrosso, B. (2019). Practical aspects for the integration of 5G networks and IoT applications in smart cities environments. Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing, 2019(1), 5710834
Mio, C., Panfilo, S., & Blundo, B. (2020). Sustainable development goals and the strategic role of business: a systematic literature review. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29, 3220–3245.
Oliveira, F., Kakabadse, N., & Khan, N. (2022). Board engagement with digital technologies: A resource dependence framework. Journal of Business Research, 139, 804-818.
Parida, V., Sjödin, D., & Reim, W. (2019). Reviewing literature on digitalization, business model innovation, and sustainable industry: Past achievements and future promises. Sustainability, 11(2), 391.
Patton, M. Q. (2002). Book review: Learning in the field: an introduction to qualitative research. American Journal of Evaluation, 23(1), 115-116.
Pflaum, A. A., & Gölzer, P. (2018). The IoT and digital transformation: toward the data-driven enterprise. IEEE pervasive computing, 17(1), 87-91.
Rejeb, A., Keogh, J. G., Wamba, S. F., & Treiblmaier, H. (2020). The potentials of augmented reality in supply chain management: A state-of-the-art review. Management review quarterly, 1-38.
Reuter, E. (2021). Hybrid business models in the sharing economy: The role of business model design for managing the environmental paradox. Business Strategy and the Environment, 31(2), 603–618.
Richards, L. (1999). Using NVivo in qualitative research. Sage.
Schaltegger, S., & Wagner, M. (2011). Sustainable entrepreneurship and sustainability innovation: categories and interactions. Business strategy and the environment, 20(4), 222-237
Seele, P., & Lock, I. (2017). The game-changing potential of digitalization for sustainability: possibilities, perils, and pathways. Sustainability Science, 12, 183-185.
Stroumpoulis, A., & Kopanaki, E. (2022). Theoretical perspectives on sustainable supply chain management and digital transformation: A literature review and a conceptual framework. Sustainability, 14(8), 4862
Tjahjono, B., Ball, P., Vitanov, V. I., Scorzafave, C., Nogueira, J., Calleja, J., ... & Yadav, A. (2010). Six Sigma: a literature review. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 1(3), 216-233.
Vial, G. (2021). Understanding digital transformation: A review and a research agenda. Managing digital transformation, 13-66.
Wang, Y., Ahmed, A., Azam, A., Bing, D., Shan, Z., Zhang, Z., ... & Rehman, M. (2021). Applications of additive manufacturing (AM) in sustainable energy generation and battle against COVID-19 pandemic: The knowledge evolution of 3D printing. Journal of manufacturing systems, 60, 709-733
Westerman, G., Bonnet, D., & McAfee, A. (2014). Leading digital: Turning technology into business transformation. Harvard Business Press.
