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The Economic Aspect of Digital Sustainability: A Systematic Review

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  • Livio Cricelli

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy)

  • Serena Strazzullo

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

In recent years, sustainability and Industry 4.0 have become crucial aspects of the global economy. Numerous studies focus on the link between environmental aspects of sustainability and Industry 4.0. On the contrary, few studies address the issue of the integration of economic sustainability and digital technologies. This paper aims to fill this gap through a systematic analysis of the literature. In particular, 32 articles were selected and following a descriptive analysis to evaluate the evolution of the theme, a content analysis was performed. The findings of this study highlight and categorize the main sustainability metrics associated with digital technologies. Specifically, the digitalization process enhances the connection of products and factories, the value chain and users to achieve a production cycle as sustainable as possible. The new technologies developed allow companies to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, increase the market share, reduce energy waste, recover and reuse the material, etc. Finally, managerial and academic contributions were identified.

Suggested Citation

  • Livio Cricelli & Serena Strazzullo, 2021. "The Economic Aspect of Digital Sustainability: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:15:p:8241-:d:600314
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    6. Piccarozzi, Michela & Silvestri, Cecilia & Aquilani, Barbara & Silvestri, Luca, 2022. "Is this a new story of the ‘Two Giants’? A systematic literature review of the relationship between industry 4.0, sustainability and its pillars," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    7. Yu Zhang & Xuechun Zhang & Hao Zhang & Lusi A, 2022. "The Influence of External Knowledge Searches on Enterprises’ Innovation Performance: A Meta-Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-23, July.
    8. Phillip K. Agbesi & Rico Ruffino & Marko Hakovirta, 2023. "The development of sustainable electric vehicle business ecosystems," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 3(8), pages 1-59, August.
    9. Jeoung Yul Lee & Ilkhom Okmirzaevich Irisboev & Yeon-Sik Ryu, 2021. "Literature Review on Digitalization in Facilities Management and Facilities Management Performance Measurement: Contribution of Industry 4.0 in the Global Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-29, December.
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    12. Chiyin Chen & Yunting Feng & Bin Shen, 2022. "Managing Labor Sustainability in Digitalized Supply Chains: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, March.

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