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Sustainability and the Digital Transition: A Literature Review

Author

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  • Albérico Travassos Rosário

    (The Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies (GOVCOPP), Universidade Europeia, 1200-649 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Joana Carmo Dias

    (Centro de Investigação em Organizações, Mercados e Gestão Industrial (COMEGI), Universidade Lusíada, 1349-001 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

The digital transition processes have demonstrated an enormous capacity to develop and implement sustainable solutions, which allow solving several problems such as poverty, high rates of species extinction and lack of equal opportunity. However, little attention is paid to the connection between the digital transition and sustainability. Thus, a systematic bibliometric literature review was developed to fill this knowledge gap and demonstrate the potential contributions of the digital transition to environmental, economic, and social sustainability aspects. In environmental sustainability, the digital transition involves the application of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), and mobile technologies that are used to develop and implement sustainability solutions in areas such as sustainable urban development, sustainable production, and pollution control. In economic sustainability, emerging digital technologies can drive transformation into a more sustainable circular economy, the digital sharing economy, and establish sustainable manufacturing and infrastructure design. In the digital transition to social sustainability, the studies analyzed demonstrate the need for multidimensional policy perspectives to address the current digital divide. For effective management of the digital transition that achieves sustainability goals, the study discusses alternative approaches that include innovation through experimentation and dynamic and sustainable advantages achievable through temporary benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Albérico Travassos Rosário & Joana Carmo Dias, 2022. "Sustainability and the Digital Transition: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:4072-:d:782751
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    5. ROSÁRIO Albérico & CASACA Joaquim A., 2023. "Relationship Marketing And Customer Retention - A Systematic Literature Review," Studies in Business and Economics, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 18(3), pages 44-66, December.
    6. Cristina Nicolau & Eliza Nichifor & Daniel Munteanu & Oana Bărbulescu, 2022. "Decoding Business Potential for Digital Sustainable Entrepreneurship: What Romanian Entrepreneurs Think and Do for the Future," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-21, October.
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    10. Sarker Sadrul Islam & Bartok Istvan, 2024. "A Systematic Review of Green and Digital Transitional Factors in the Fashion Industry," Business Systems Research, Sciendo, vol. 15(1), pages 1-21.
    11. Shaik, Aqueeb Sohail & Nazrul, Asif & Alshibani, Safiya Mukhtar & Agarwal, Vaishali & Papa, Armando, 2024. "Environmental and economical sustainability and stakeholder satisfaction in SMEs. Critical technological success factors of big data analytics," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
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    14. Albérico Travassos Rosário & Joana Carmo Dias, 2023. "The New Digital Economy and Sustainability: Challenges and Opportunities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-23, July.
    15. Ruchi Mishra & Rajesh Kr Singh & Nripendra P. Rana, 2024. "Digital orientation, digital eco‐innovation and circular economy in the context of sustainable development goals," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 2752-2770, May.
    16. Valentin Kuleto & Milena P. Ilić & Rocsana Bucea-Manea-Țoniş & David-Florin Ciocodeică & Horia Mihălcescu & Veronica Mindrescu, 2022. "The Attitudes of K–12 Schools’ Teachers in Serbia towards the Potential of Artificial Intelligence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-12, July.
    17. Dongshu Jiang & ZhiXing Ni & Yuxiu Chen & Xue Chen & Chaohong Na, 2022. "Influence of Financial Shared Services on the Corporate Debt Cost under Digitalization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.

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