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Harnessing digital finance for sustainability: An integrative review and research agenda

Author

Listed:
  • Bansal, Sanchita
  • Kumar, Satish
  • Ali, Searat
  • Singh, Shifali
  • Nangia, Priya
  • Bamel, Umesh

Abstract

The digital technologies are transforming the financial markets and may prove to be a game-changer in terms of attaining SDG objectives over time. As a result, UN agencies have begun to prioritize the utilization of the digital revolution to advance SDGs. There is a growing body of literature on the use of digital money to achieve sustainability objectives. As businesses commit to protecting the environment, natural systems, and society, consumer eco-awareness has elevated the importance of the issue in the field of sustainable digital finance. The rationale behind this study is to unify the fragmented literature on digital money and to present a clear conceptual framework for sustainable digital finance in order to advance sustainability goals. Specifically, the study aims to investigate the evolution of sustainable digital finance through analyzing publication and citation trends, developing an author-country-keyword framework, and exploring the significant themes and subjects emerging from the field of sustainable digital finance. Additionally, the study examines ongoing shifts in the digital finance sector and the digital sustainable revolution, which can help us harness technology for social good (Grand Challenge: social work) and move closer to achieving sustainable development goals. We employ a two-tiered analytic strategy, comprising of bibliometric analysis and an integrated literature evaluation of 168 publications from the Web of Science database. In addition to descriptive and thematic analysis, the findings provide us with seven relevant themes (financial involvement and participation, sustainable financial development, green finance, digital venture capital, fintech, financial performance, and digital strategy) and four prominent aggregate dimensions (digital financial inclusion, digital sustainable revolution, digital financial transformation, and harness technology for social good), which will be included in the conceptual framework for future research endeavors. The paper concludes with the policy implications of the findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Bansal, Sanchita & Kumar, Satish & Ali, Searat & Singh, Shifali & Nangia, Priya & Bamel, Umesh, 2025. "Harnessing digital finance for sustainability: An integrative review and research agenda," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:riibaf:v:74:y:2025:i:c:s0275531924004756
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ribaf.2024.102682
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    Keywords

    digital finance; sustainable development goals; integrative literature review; economic growth; technological innovation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • F65 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Finance
    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology

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