Impact of Industry 4.0 on corporate environmental sustainability: Comparing practitioners’ perceptions from China, Brazil and Germany

Beier, Grischa; Matthess, Marcel; Guan, Ting; Pereira, Grudzien David Iubel de Oliveira; Xue, Bing; Edson, Pinheiro de Lima; Ling, Chen

doi:10.1016/j.spc.2022.02.017

Cited by 27 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 44 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, as the trend and the inevitable choice of firms in the digital economy era, no literature accurately analyzes the relationship between digital transformation and CER. The potential relationship between them can only be inferred from other literature (Beier et al, 2022; Zhang, Lyu, et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Corporate environmental responsibility in polluting firms: Does digital transformation matter?

Lin

Zhang

2023

Corp Soc Responsibility Env

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The motivations for firms to undertake corporate environmental responsibility (CER) have been a hot topic in academia. However, with the rise of the digital economy, it is still been determined whether digital transformation will become a driving force for firms to assume CER. Based on panel data of Chinese listed firms in polluting industries, this article empirically tests whether and how digital transformation affects CER. The results show that digital transformation significantly motivates firms to assume more CER, especially for state‐owned and large‐scale firms and those located in the western region and ordinary‐level cities. The influence mechanism behind the relationship reveals that digital transformation improves financing ability and further encourages firms to assume CER. However, the effect is only short‐term and has no significant influence on the long‐term financing ability. Further research shows that regional differences in environmental governance pressure can strengthen the effect of digital transformation on CER. Our empirical findings provide policy implications for firms' digital transformation and sustainable development.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Corporate environmental responsibility in polluting firms: Does digital transformation matter?

Lin

Zhang

2023

Corp Soc Responsibility Env

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The use of new digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, internet of things (IoT), or blockchain technology is increasingly seen as a critical enabler, not only for traditional operations (Yang & Yee, 2022) and supply chain management (Dubey et al, 2020) but also for sustainable and circular product management (Kristoffersen et al, 2020; Rusch et al, 2023). These digital technologies can be used, for instance, to monitor products and parts in multiple life cycles at the industrial level (Lieder & Rashid, 2016), and their use can also increase the availability and quality of data needed for sustainability‐related decision‐making at both the process and product levels (Beier et al, 2022) or to support new sustainable business models at the organizational level (e.g., product service systems) (CEID et al, 2021; Neligan, 2018; Neligan et al, 2022). More specifically, IoT technology can increase the efficiency and accuracy of existing internal and external data collection routines on products and processes and allow for the establishment of new information flows (Garrido‐Hidalgo et al, 2019; Ingemarsdotter et al, 2020).…”

Section: Theoretical Background and Hypotheses Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of interorganizational collaboration and digital technologies in the implementation of circular economy practices—Empirical evidence from manufacturing firms

Schöggl,

Stumpf,

Baumgartner

2023

Bus Strat Env

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Interorganizational collaboration and the use of new digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, internet of things (IoT), or blockchain technology, are regarded as key enablers in implementing sustainability and circular economy‐oriented practices. While this is reflected in a few conceptual and case studies, statistical analyses on the topic are rare. No study so far has focused on collaboration, and digital technologies have only been studied in isolation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of interorganizational collaboration practices on a firm's circular economy practices and on outcomes (sustainability performance and economic performance), as well as the potentially facilitative role of new digital technologies on both. The research is based on a deductive approach, using a random sample of 112 Austrian manufacturing companies. The study employs partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM), features a multiple‐respondent design, and uses the dynamic capabilities view as a theoretical foundation. The study finds that interorganizational collaboration practices have a strong positive effect on the implementation of sustainability and CE practices, while the use of new digital technologies and general dynamic capabilities do not. The use of digital technologies positively affects only interorganizational collaboration, while general dynamic capabilities serve as an antecedent for both the use of digital technologies and interorganizational collaboration. Regarding the outcomes of CE implementation, the study finds a positive impact on firm‐level sustainability and economic performance. From a theoretical point of view, the study provides a new perspective on the prerequisites for successful CE implementation, highlights the importance of collaboration, and contextualizes the role of new digital technologies and dynamic capabilities. From a practical point of view, based on the positive outcomes found, the study supports arguments in favor of company engagement in CE activity. It also serves to motivate purposive digitization and systems thinking in order to create efficient CE collaboration networks.

show abstract

“…The study presented in [44] aimed at understanding how the technologies of I4.0 help create a sustainable environment in manufacturing and other industries. The study investigated aspects concerning benefits, identification of tools, processes, major development, and application of sustainable manufacturing.…”

Section: Industry 40 For Environmental Sustainabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Leveraging the GQM+ Strategy approach and Industry 4.0 technologies for environmental sustainability in manufacturing

Nota¹,

Lazo²

2022

J Smart Environ Green Comput

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Aim: In the last years, sustainability has been identified as an enormous problem, with many facets gaining increasing attention. In this broad scenario, the availability of models for environmental sustainability constitutes a conceptual tool to guide industries towards reducing the environmental impact deriving from production. This work aims to contribute to the research on environmental sustainability in manufacturing by proposing a model that leverages the Goal Question Metrics approach and technologies of Industry 4.0. Methods: The Goal Question Metrics approach and technologies of Industry 4.0 are leveraged by proposing a model that contributes to environmental sustainability in manufacturing. Results: A model is proposed that can be used as a conceptual tool to support improvement programs in environmental sustainability. Conclusion: The application of the Goal Question Metrics+ Strategies to a case study of an automotive industry shows how the approach, combined with the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies, contributes to the efficient use of natural resources and also reduces the emissions in the atmosphere.

show abstract

Impact of Industry 4.0 on corporate environmental sustainability: Comparing practitioners’ perceptions from China, Brazil and Germany

Cited by 27 publications

References 44 publications

Corporate environmental responsibility in polluting firms: Does digital transformation matter?

Corporate environmental responsibility in polluting firms: Does digital transformation matter?

The role of interorganizational collaboration and digital technologies in the implementation of circular economy practices—Empirical evidence from manufacturing firms

Leveraging the GQM+ Strategy approach and Industry 4.0 technologies for environmental sustainability in manufacturing

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About