Technological Innovations Shaping Sustainable Competitiveness—A Systematic Review

Abstract

The concept of sustainable competitiveness is becoming increasingly relevant, as it combines the investigation of the factors that determine the competitive advantages of economic entities, as well as management strategies that ensure economic and environmental efficiency in the face of modern global requirements and challenges. The main hypothesis of the research is that technological innovations are key determinants of the sustainable competitiveness of economic entities, increase their resilience to various challenges and threats, and therefore contribute to sustainable competitiveness in the long run. Accordingly, the object of the research is a comprehensive science literature review at the intersection of the issues of competitiveness, technological innovations, and sustainable development using the Scopus database and PRISMA statement in order to substantiate the importance of technological innovation in ensuring sustainable competitiveness. The scientific research pinpoints three key questions shaping the scientific discussion: Are technological innovations key determinants of sustainable competitiveness? How do advanced technologies contribute across sectors? What strategies and measures stimulate sustainable competitiveness? By answering the research questions based on the methodology of nonempirical systematic scientific analysis, this review article provides scientific and practical insights for businesses and policymakers aiming to harness technological advancements to sustain their business in the long run.

1. Introduction

Modern trends of intellectualization, digitalization, and humanization of socio-economic processes, as well as growing social standards and environmental requirements of society, pose one of the primary tasks for economic entities at both the micro and macroeconomic levels—determining the drivers of their sustainable competitiveness. At the same time, an equally important aspect of sustainable competitiveness in the face of modern challenges of various origins is determining the factors of resilience of economic entities to various threats and ensuring competitiveness in the long run. In such complicated conditions, technological innovations should become a response to modern challenges of an ecological, epidemiological nature, military threats, etc., as they allow for flexible adaptation to extremely complex and changing conditions.

Historically, advanced technologies have always been the driving force behind progressive changes, competitiveness, and development at both the micro and macroeconomic levels. Nowadays, the integration of technological innovations with sustainability and competitiveness is increasing significantly and recognized as essential for addressing global challenges and achieving sustainable development goals. Advanced technologies are significant drivers worldwide in shaping industries using digital and environmental capabilities: clean energy and renewable energy industries, telehealth and digital health technologies, fintech industry and blockchain technologies, e-commerce and social commerce, etc. This is due to their influence on both sustainability and competitiveness. In this context, Herciu M. and Ogrean Cin. describe in their research sustainable competitiveness as the ability of a company to utilize all of its resources in a synergistic manner in order to enhance productivity, profitability, efficacy, and sustainability over the years [1]. Therefore, the integration of advanced technologies has proven to be a powerful enabler of this goal.

Transformative solutions—outcomes of technological innovation—one of the ways that enable organizations to achieve dual objectives: reducing environmental impact while enhancing profitability, efficiency, and market position [2,3]. This led the technological innovations to play a critical role in bridging this gap. However, the ways in which these innovations contribute to sustainable competitiveness still need to be explored, in particular, across different sectors and sizes of business structures, as well as the specifics of the regulatory and macroeconomic environment in different countries.

1.1. Literature Review and Theoretical Background

1.1.1. Theoretical Foundations of Technological Innovation and Sustainable Competitiveness

The analysis of the scientific literature at the intersection of innovation, technology, and sustainable development has made it possible to highlight the following main scientific approaches in this area:

• Resource-Based View (RBV) Framework: Barney highlights the strategic role of resources in achieving competitive advantage [4]. Technological assets empower firms with solutions that help in enhancing efficiency while addressing the aspects of sustainability.
• Dynamic Capabilities Theory: Theory of Dynamic Capabilities: It builds on the previously mentioned framework (RBV), in which, while the RBV is about the ability of a firm to use resources and capabilities for sustained competition, the theory of Dynamic extends on this by stressing the high value of agility while adapting to technological and environmental changes [5]. It emphasizes the need for firms to adapt and reconfigure their resources and competencies in response to rapidly changing environments.
• Triple Bottom Line (TBL): In this framework, Elkington expanded the traditional way of focusing only on the financial performance of a firm to include a wider perspective that supports a balance between three main elements: economic, environmental, and social goals [6]. Technological innovation provides help in giving a balance among those elements. This is through providing support in improving resource efficiency and promoting equitable growth.
• Model of Triple Helix: In their model, Etzkowitz and Leydesdorff highlighted the vital collaboration between three key spheres: academia, industry, and government. This intersection aims to help innovation ecosystems that scale technological advancements for sustainable competitiveness [7]. Carayannis and Campbell developed this model and formed a Quadruple Helix Model [8] by the involvement of civil society in the innovation ecosystem. While Peris-Ortiz, Ferreira, Farinha, Fernandes, and Nuno additionally included the natural environment as a new subsystem and substantiated mechanisms for close interaction between government, academia, industry, and civil society to promote sustainable competitiveness at the country (regional) and company (business) levels [9]. Within the Quintuple Helix Model, sustainable development became a core idea, pushing innovators to launch new solutions with support given by universities, authorities, and society to reduce natural environment degradation.

The above concepts emphasize that modern dynamic changes increase the requirements for the competitiveness of economic entities at the micro and macroeconomic levels and require innovative solutions for the effective use of all productive resources of society. This, in turn, requires the formation of an innovation ecosystem with the involvement of academic centers, business structures, government authorities, and civil society to develop innovative mechanisms for sustainable competitiveness based on the modern technologies for careful use of resources and a prudent attitude to the environment.

1.1.2. Empirical Evidence of the Impact of Technological Innovation on Sustainable Competitiveness

Scientific concepts find confirmation of the importance of technological innovations in practice, contributing to increasing the competitiveness of economic subjects based on increasing economic, environmental, and social efficiency:

• Economic Impact: Industry 4.0 technologies enhance productivity. Also, it supports the development and growth of circular economy practices. Hence, driving long-term economic sustainability [10,11].
• Environmental Sustainability: Innovations in renewable energy, smart grids, and green technologies mitigate environmental impacts and enhance resilience [12].
• Social Equity: World Economic Forum highlighted that advances in education, healthcare, and digital access promote inclusivity, although the digital divide persists [13].

Empirical evidence confirms that at the current stage, sustainable competitiveness at both the macro and microeconomic levels is to a great extent ensured by the continuous implementation of technological innovations, which in the long run bring positive economic, social, and environmental results.

1.1.3. Strategies and Challenges in Adopting Technological Innovation for Sustainable Competitiveness

Technological innovations offer significant opportunities for overall business and socio-economic development. However, barriers exist for firms eager to adopt these innovations, such as high costs, cultural resistance, and various regulatory gaps hindering adoption. Addressing these issues requires:

• Policy Support: OECD highlighted the importance that governments bring when it comes to encouraging and helping public–private partnerships; besides, their help in setting clear regulatory frameworks [14].
• Collaboration: For scaling innovations, Etzkowitz and Leydesdorff stated in their research that it is essential to have partnerships across three spheres: academia, industry, and government [7].
• Capacity Building: Organizations need to ensure their competency by having a good knowledge base and advanced technologies. Also, organizations need to promote a culture of innovation [15].

Overall, several gaps remain unaddressed. First, the role of technological innovations in driving sustainable competitiveness across different industries and sectors. Secondly, sectoral contributions of advanced technologies to sustainable competitiveness. Third, the strategies that stimulate and scale the adoption of technology across different sectors are still not well documented. Explaining each element of those objectives will provide a comprehensive understanding of how technological advancements shape sustainable competitiveness. Hence, offering practical insights for academia, industry, and policymakers.

2. Materials and Methods

The research objective is a nonempirical systematic scientific analysis of the technological innovations, the implementation of which contributes to sustainable competitive development, based on a comprehensive review of scientific literature using the Scopus database and PRISMA statement (See the PRISMA 2020 for Abstracts checklist in the Supplementary Materials) [16]. Additionally, analysis of selected articles focuses on technological innovations peculiarities in various sectors and industries, as well as on successful strategies for their implementation at the micro and macroeconomic levels, which lead to sustainable competitiveness. Analytical materials will be generalized from identified peer-reviewed articles taken from the Scopus database. Synthesizing results from the final articles will help in answering our main core research questions for this article:

• Are the technological innovations key determinants of sustainable competitiveness?
• How do advanced technologies contribute to sustainable competitiveness across sectors?
• What measures and strategies on micro and macroeconomic levels stimulate and accelerate sustainable competitiveness?

By answering the questions, this review article will provide a foundation for future research, and it will offer practical insights for policymakers and industry leaders. Also, it will help academics seeking to navigate the evolving landscape of sustainable competitiveness across different sectors and industries.

The Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework [16] has been adopted to systematically review and analyze how technological innovations shape sustainability competitiveness (see the PRISMA 2020 for Abstracts checklist in the Supplementary Materials) to ensure methodological rigor and transparency throughout this review process.

The literature search was conducted using the Scopus database by applying a set of keywords and then filters that align with our research questions. The search query in which it used to get the related articles is constructed as follows: TITLE-ABS-KEY (“technological innovation” OR “digital technology” OR “sustainable technology” OR “advanced technologies”) AND TITLE-ABS-KEY (“ sustainable competitiveness” OR “sustainable development” OR “sustainability”) AND TITLE-ABS-KEY (“competitiveness” OR “competitive advantage”) AND PUBYEAR > 2012 AND PUBYEAR < 2026 AND (LIMIT-TO (SUBJAREA, “BUSI”)) AND (LIMIT-TO (DOCTYPE, “ar”)) AND (LIMIT-TO (LANGUAGE, “English”)) AND (LIMIT-TO (PUBSTAGE, “final”)).

The search using the above query provided us with 122 articles (retrieved on 1 December 2024). The 122 articles were then subsequently screened and ranked for their relevance.

To ensure that the selected literature directly addresses the paper’s research questions, certain inclusion and exclusion criteria were established before:

• Inclusion Criteria Include the following:
  • Articles that examine, in particular, the role of technological innovation in shaping sustainable competitiveness or competitive advantage
  • Articles that present real-life case studies, frameworks, or empirical evidence linking technology with sustainable competitiveness.
  • Articles published between 2013 and the present (1 December 2024). The reason behind this is to look at recent advancements that consider critical to understanding current trends of sustainable competitiveness.
  • Articles in the final publication stage to ensure only completed and peer-reviewed works were included.
• Exclusion Criteria-Studies were excluded if they met any of the following conditions:
  • Non-article documents (e.g., reviews, book chapters, or conference proceedings).
  • Articles that do not offer any clear ideas on technology, sustainability, or competitiveness.
  • Non-English articles
  • Articles with no current application and just focused on historical analysis

Table 1 shows the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the research:

Table 1. The inclusion and the exclusion criteria for data screening.

Inclusion Criteria	Searches for all variations of technological innovation, ensuring inclusiveness: “technological innovation” OR “digital technology” OR “sustainable technology” OR “advanced technologies”
	Focuses on sustainability-related aspects: “sustainable competitiveness” OR “sustainable development” OR “ sustainability”
	Targets competitiveness dimensions: “competitiveness” OR “competitive advantage”
Exclusion Criteria	Limit Publication Year: PUBYEAR > 2012 AND PUBYEAR < 2026
	Limited to Business, Management and Accounting areas to ensure contextual relevance: LIMIT-TO (SUBJAREA, “BUSI”)
	Limit document type to journal articles, excluding reviews, conference papers, or other formats: LIMIT-TO (DOCTYPE, “ar”)
	Limit language to English to ensure ease of analysis: LIMIT-TO (LANGUAGE, “English”)
	Limit on publication stage, excluding preprints or drafts, focusing on finalized publications: LIMIT-TO (PUBSTAGE, “final”)

The flow diagram (see Figure 1), which follows the PRISMA guidelines, summarizes the inclusion and exclusion steps at each stage of the selection process. The process includes:

Figure 1. The process of SLR steps. (Authors’ analysis).

• Step 1: Identification. An initial search on Scopus gave us 122 articles. (Retrieved on 1 December 2024). This is for the field of Business, Management and Accounting.
• Step 2: Screening. This stage required reviewing all the titles and abstracts for the 122 articles, and then they were ranked based on relevance, with ranks from 1 to 5. The criterion used for evaluating the relevancy of the retrieved articles began with a review of the title and abstract to determine the significance of their content to the topic of research based on the selection in this article. Furthermore, the relevancy check used a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being out of scope and 5 being the highest rate of relevancy, and the publications for full reading were selected from scores of 4 to 5. Moreover, a score of 3 was considered low, and a score of 2 was considered very low. Table 2 presents the criteria behind this scale and how we selected the articles.
  Table 2. (1–5) Ranking during the screening step for article relevance.

  Ranking	Criteria
  5 (High)	Articles directly addressed technological innovations as a key driver of sustainable competitiveness across multiple sectors. It may provide empirical evidence, case studies, or theoretical frameworks that align with our research objectives.
  4 (Medium)	The articles discuss technological innovations and competitiveness in a way that partially aligns with our paper’s focus but may lack strong empirical validation or sector-wide comparisons.
  3 (Low)	Articles that examine either sustainability or competitiveness but fail to connect the two concepts were ranked as 3. These articles may provide contextual or theoretical background instead of direct insights.
  2 (Very low)	Articles are assigned 2 when they mention technological innovations but do not focus on sustainability or competitiveness as a central theme. It may primarily discuss unrelated economic, regulatory, or policy aspects.
  1 (Out of the Scope)	This rank is for articles not meaningfully related to technological innovations, sustainability, or competitiveness. We excluded these articles.

• Step 3: Eligibility. Only articles that received rank 4 and 5 were selected for full in-depth analysis. Those ranked as 3 and 2 will be used as supportive articles in the discussion section.
• Step 4: Inclusion. The final selection included 4 and 5-ranked articles (overall 68 articles). Figure 2 shows the distributions of the articles.
  

  Figure 2. Shows the authors distribution of the ranking articles according to their relevance.
• Step 5: Data Extraction. Data from each selected article were extracted using a standardized form. The reason behind that is to ensure consistency across all the included articles. Key details included: article citation, technological innovations discussed, sector, key findings on how each technology supports sustainable competitive advantage, and limitations and gaps in the articles that were noted by authors.
• Step 6: Thematic Synthesis. A thematic synthesis was conducted over the selected 68 articles. This analysis seeks to categorize key insights based on sectors and strategies to stimulate sustainable competitiveness. This process highlighted innovations frequently associated with sustainable competitive advantage. Also, it underlines sector-specific insights, in which it presents the differences in implementation across industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and energy. In addition to presenting a summary of practical strategies for firms looking to enhance competitiveness through sustainable technological innovation.

The relevancy checks of 122 publications used a scoring method categorizing papers as Highly Relevant, Moderately Relevant, Low Relevance, or Very Low, out of the scope. Highly relevant papers for full reading were highlighted in red and formed the basis for scientific analysis.

3. Results

This section divides the findings of this article into 3 subsections to make them more cohesive. In this light, we first looked at the Scopus analysis based on the search engine query results. Second, we present the results for the exported articles to the VOSviewer program version 1.6.20 to get cluster analysis and images for co-occurrence for the keywords of the authors. Finally, we examined the data-extraction table as a result of the inquiry by reviewing the content of the selected articles based on selection criteria and responding to the research questions outlined in the SLR methodology. Additionally, in the next section, we attempted to build on the findings and responses to the research questions through discussion in order to analyze the overall findings, research gaps, difficulties, and opportunities.

3.1. Analysis of the Scopus Results

The analysis of publishing from the Scopus portal to trace the history of publication reveals the lowest slope of publication between 2013 and 2017 and a larger slope of publication in the following 3 years until 2020. However, a decrease in publishing followed from 2020 to 2021. Then, the rate grew to its peak between 2021 and 2024, indicating the peak of publications. Figure 3 presents the publications by year.

Figure 3. Historical analysis of publications. Source: Scopus “Analyze Results” portal (covering the period from 2013 to 1 December 2024).

Concurrently, for the same period, the pie chart (Figure 4) from Scopus database analytics shows the distribution of articles by subject area. The result was obtained on 1 December 2024 and shows that Business, Management, and Accounting (45.4%) is the most dominant subject area. This distribution places a strong emphasis on businesses and managerial research within the collection, further demonstrating the significant relevance of this issue in the context of studying the factors determining sustainable competitiveness and the importance of technological leadership strategies in ensuring competitive advantages and sustainable competitiveness on the micro and macroeconomic levels. The other 54.6% of articles are distributed among the other disciplines.

Figure 4. Scopus category of publications; Source: Scopus (1 December 2024).

3.2. Biblometric Analysis Results (VOSviewer)

The exported data from Scopus was inserted into the VOSviewer program to show clusters and present the keywords and the linking between them (Figure 5). Also, to get the co-occurrence of keywords, we used the fractional counting approach and a minimum of 5 occurrences per keyword. From the program, we were able to get Table 3, which presents the keywords, the occurrence, and the total link strength. The VOSviewer clustering analysis of the extracted keywords reveals four thematic clusters related to sustainable competitiveness. Cluster 1 focuses on circular economy, digitalization, Industry 4.0, and innovation, highlighting the role of emerging technologies in transforming industries. Cluster 2 groups digital technologies, digital transformation, and sustainable development, emphasizing the connection between technological advancements and sustainability goals. Cluster 3 links competitive advantage, sustainability, and technological innovation, showcasing the direct impact of innovation on maintaining a competitive edge. Lastly, Cluster 4, which stands alone with competitiveness, suggests its overarching influence across all other themes. These clusters collectively illustrate the key dimensions shaping sustainable competitiveness in modern industries.

Figure 5. Bibliometric analysis with keywords of 122 articles in Scopus database, accessed in 1 December 2024).

Table 3. List of top occurrences of technological innovations shaping sustainable competitiveness filtered by VOS viewer program.

Keywords	Occurrence	Total Link Strength
sustainability	23	17
innovation	12	10
digital technologies	6	8
sustainable development	17	8
competitiveness	6	7
circular economy	5	6
competitive advantage	10	6
industry 4.0	5	5
digital transformation	6	2
digitalization	5	2
technological innovation	6	1

3.3. Data Extraction Table

In this section, we present the findings of the selected 68 publications in detail. The data (information) is organized into a data extraction table to systematically analyze the relationship between technological innovations and sustainable competitiveness. Before that, another important data is presented in Table 1 (Table 1. Relevance Assessment of Articles on Technological Innovations for Sustainable Competitiveness). This table was done after careful reading of the full 68 articles in order to evaluate articles based on their contributions to business sustainability, competitiveness, and their intersection (sustainability-competitiveness synergy). The selected 68 articles were categorized into High, Moderate, or Low relevance for the following dimensions:

• Business Sustainability: Focus on environmental, economic, or social sustainability. It is about how businesses integrate sustainable practices, technologies, and strategies into their operations for long-term impact.
• Competitiveness: Contributions to competitive advantage, firm performance, or innovation. This includes improving firm performance, innovation, market share, and financial growth. However, it does not necessarily require that sustainability be a part of competitiveness. It is only regarding the company’s practices or strategies that drive its competitive advantage.
• Sustainability-Competitiveness Synergy: Interactions between sustainability practices and competitiveness outcomes. This category examines the intersection between business sustainability practices and competitive advantage. It is about identifying how adopting sustainable strategies (e.g., environmentally-friendly practices, eco-innovation, etc.) directly contributes to or enhances a company’s competitiveness.

This rating system that we did for the final selected articles is to help us in setting a clear identification of the strengths and limitations in addressing the research-targeted questions from those articles. The following three rates are:

• High rate: High means that an article explored in deep detail the topic from that rated dimension. Therefore, this rate can be given for a certain article for a certain category like business sustainability or completeness or sustainability-competitiveness synergy. For example, the study by Ha et al. 2023 [3] received a high rate in terms of “sustainability-competitiveness synergy” since it contributes to sustainable competitiveness, such as integrating Industry 4.0 technologies with circular economy practices. Normally, studies with high ranks for all of the categories propose actionable strategies and explore sustainability-competitiveness synergy.
• Moderate—when an article partially explores the dimension, offering useful but limited or less integrated insights. For instance, the article from Antonioli et al. 2022 [17] emphasizes sustainable strategies in innovation and technology adoption but does not extensively explore the sustainability-competitiveness link, giving it a moderate rate from this dimension.
• Low—an article can be rated as low in a certain dimension when it offers broad or superficial discussions with minimal relevance or depth in addressing the dimension. This is not really the case in our table, as we already filtered the articles from 122 to 68. Only one article received this from the dimension of sustainability-competitiveness Synergy. Including this type of article in our data extraction table helps identify gaps in actionable insights and methodological approaches, which can provide a guide for future studies.

It is clear from Table 4 that there is a growing interest in business sustainability and competitiveness. In addition to that, our analysis of the selected articles reveals that there is also growing attention from scholars to sustainable competitiveness aspects across different industries and sectors. Articles that we rate as a “high” rate in the “sustainability-competitiveness synergy” column have covered the elements of sustainable competitiveness. Meanwhile, some of them have not exactly mentioned the term “sustainable competitiveness”. Around 35% of the articles we reviewed from the Scopus database received a high rating from the dimension of sustainable competitiveness. 24 articles out of 68 address their synergy (business sustainability and competitiveness). These articles, which received a high rating, will help answer the research questions and provide actionable insights and strategies for achieving sustainable competitiveness, as they effectively integrate the two domains of business sustainability and competitiveness.

Table 4. Relevance Assessment of Articles on Technological Innovations for Sustainable Competitiveness.

Articles	Business Sustainability	Competitiveness	Sustainability-Competitiveness Synergy
[3]	High	High	High
[17]	High	Moderate	Moderate
[18]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[19]	High	High	Moderate
[20]	High	Moderate	High
[21]	High	High	High
[22]	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
[23]	High	High	High
[24]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[25]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[26]	High	High	High
[27]	High	High	Moderate
[28]	Moderate	Moderate	Low
[29]	High	High	High
[30]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[31]	High	High	High
[32]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[33]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[34]	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
[35]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[36]	High	High	High
[37]	High	High	High
[38]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[39]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[40]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[41]	High	Moderate	Moderate
[42]	High	High	High
[43]	High	High	High
[44]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[45]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[46]	High	High	High
[47]	High	High	Moderate
[48]	High	High	Moderate
[49]	High	Moderate	High
[50]	High	Moderate	Moderate
[51]	High	High	High
[52]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[53]	High	Moderate	Moderate
[54]	High	Moderate	Moderate
[55]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[56]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[57]	High	High	High
[58]	High	High	Moderate
[59]	High	High	High
[60]	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
[61]	High	High	High
[62]	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
[63]	High	Moderate	Moderate
[64]	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
[65]	High	High	High
[66]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[67]	High	Moderate	Moderate
[68]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[69]	High	High	Moderate
[70]	Moderate	High	Moderate
[71]	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
[72]	High	Moderate	Moderate
[73]	High	Moderate	Moderate
[74]	High	High	High
[75]	High	High	High
[76]	High	High	High
[77]	High	High	High
[78]	High	High	High
[79]	High	Moderate	Moderate
[80]	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
[81]	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
[82]	High	High	High
[83]	High	High	Moderate

The remaining articles in Table 4, meanwhile, in which they were rated as moderate in terms of the synergy between competencies and sustainability, are still valuable. Including those articles in our analysis and discussion provides important perspectives on sustainability-driven innovations or even competitive strategies. As an example of those articles, Bui et al. 2024 shed light on the importance of integrating digital technologies for effective responses to crises [71]. Also, Yu et al. 2024 highlighted the importance of digital technology for competitive advantages [53]. Therefore, we can conclude that although these articles do not directly address the synergy, they still offer insights that can inform frameworks for sustainable competitiveness.

Table 5 below is the primary data extraction table. This table and Table 4 above both provide important findings and may both respond to all research questions for this study, indicating that there are studies that focus on the relationship between “business sustainability” and “competitiveness” but not in a strong sense of convergence. Table 5 summarizes the selected 68 articles and includes the following components:

Table 5. Data extraction.

Articles	Sector/ Industry Focus	Technological Innovations Discussed	Key Findings on Sustainable Competitiveness	Measures and Strategies	Limitations/Gaps
[3]	Enterprises in Vietnam (Cross-Industry Focus)	Industry 4.0 Technologies (Advanced Manufacturing, IoT), Circular Economy Practices	Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy (CE) practices positively impact firm performance across economic, environmental, operational, and social dimensions, promoting sustainability and competitiveness.	Encourage the adoption of CE practices, invest in advanced technologies, and support training programs for I4 technologies to mitigate operational and logistical challenges.	Limited to Vietnamese firms; does not address long-term scalability or specific barriers to I4 and CE adoption in other developing economies.
[17]	Italian manufacturing firms (especially SMEs)	Circular economy related innovations	Short-term economic gains from circular economy innovations are difficult to obtain, especially for SMEs; may result in negative returns in the short run.	Focus on long term sustainable approaches to innovation and technology adoption.	Examines short term economic impact, not longer-term benefits.
[18]	SMEs in Less Developed and Emerging Economies (LDEE)	Digitization of operations and processes; technology adoption	Digitization is slow in LDEE. Technology is essential for new business creation, competitive advantage, and survival in the post-COVID-19 economy.	Entrepreneurs need to awaken to the current digital era and adopt technology to create competitive businesses.	Focuses on the need for technology adoption but does not deeply address the barriers.
[19]	Entrepreneurship Industry and MSMEs in Indonesia	New Product Development (NPD), Technological Integration	Technological innovation (including NPD) is crucial for achieving sustainable competitiveness. Productivity and economic growth are not enough, but collaboration with NPD and institutional integration are key factors.	Institutional integration and collaboration, optimization of human and social capital, and enhancing NPD.	Limited research on the scalability of NPD and institutional integration across different economic sectors and regions.
[20]	Spanish Agricultural and Livestock Sectors	Precision Agriculture, Smart Livestock Management, Renewable Energy, Biotechnology	Integration of Sustainable Technological Innovation (STI) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) enhances resource optimization, environmental stewardship, and regional sustainability. Significant disparities exist across regions due to economic and infrastructural differences.	Develop region-specific policies, enhance investment in R&D+i, foster public-private partnerships, and promote CSR-aligned innovation practices.	Regional disparities in CSR and STI adoption; limited official data availability; challenges in integrating CSR with innovation metrics.
[21]	Different Companies in developing countries (Iraq)	Sustainable Technologies, Innovative Technologies (Production, Operations, Marketing, Organizational Strategies)	Sustainability performance and innovation performance positively influence company value, both independently and synergistically, fostering competitive advantage.	Invest in sustainable and innovative technologies, integrate sustainability and innovation in production and strategy, and focus on long-term viability amid technological advancements.	Study is limited to companies listed on the Iraqi stock exchange.
[22]	Digital economy of Ukraine during military conflicts	Digital technologies, innovative technologies	The level of digital economy development in Ukraine did not decrease despite military conflicts. Retaining and developing human capital and introducing innovations is key during conflicts.	Retaining and developing human capital; introduction of innovations at all stages of employment and support for digital activity.	Limitations due to the lack of some 2022 statistics due to unfavourable conditions for obtaining reliable data.
[23]	Air Transport Industry	New Materials, Additive Manufacturing, Digital Twins, AI, Internet of Things (IoT)	The circular economy can enhance sustainability and competitiveness in air transport by reducing resource use, promoting recycling, and fostering innovation in manufacturing and airport operations.	Implement circular economy strategies in aircraft manufacturing and airport operations, such as recycling materials, adopting renewable energy, and using AI to optimize operations.	Lack of international regulations for circular economy in aviation; challenges in scaling up practices and stakeholder collaboration.
[24]	Business Automation Across Sectors	Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Circular Economy Integration	Automation significantly impacts operational efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. However, differing perceptions between business leaders and employees indicate alignment challenges in technology adoption.	Develop inclusive strategies addressing employees’ concerns, integrate RPA and AI with sustainability goals, and promote skills development.	Divergent perceptions between business owners and employees on automation’s role in motivation and job security; lack of cross-industry studies.
[25]	Manufacturing Sector in Brazil	Digital Technologies, Automation, Information Technology (IT)	Industry 4.0 enhances global competitiveness and production quality but faces challenges like high costs, cultural resistance, and training difficulties. Sustainability is not a strategic priority, with social impacts largely overlooked.	Promote digital training programs, foster organizational culture change, and integrate sustainability as a core component of Industry 4.0 strategies.	Focuses on the Brazilian manufacturing sector so generalizability is limited.
[26]	Agro-industrial sector	Logistics 4.0, digital technologies, new business models	Logistics 4.0 contributes to business sustainability and competitive advantages through digital technologies and new business models in the agro-industrial sector.	Adoption of digital technologies and innovative business models.	Bibliometric and content analysis from 2015 to 2021 and may not reflect current trends.
[27]	Agriculture Sector in Albania	Digital Agriculture, ICT (Information and Communication Technologies), IoT, Smart Farming, Digital Platforms	Digitalization enhances productivity, reduces transaction costs, and strengthens competitiveness and sustainability in the agricultural value chain. Farmers face significant barriers, including lack of knowledge and limited access to advanced technology.	Promote ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) adoption through training, improve rural infrastructure, support value chain digitalization, and develop vocational programs focused on digital agriculture.	Limited adoption of advanced technologies among smallholders, knowledge gaps, and uneven access to digital tools across regions.
[28]	Broad (SMEs, textile, entrepreneurship)	Sustainable innovation, technological innovation	Research is needed on knowledge management and competitiveness in developing countries to compare with developed countries in the field of innovation and sustainability.	Knowledge management and competitive strategies.	Focuses on the need for more research rather than providing specific findings.
[29]	Innovative manufacturing firms in Malaysia	Responsible innovation (RI)	Responsible Innovation (RI) is a distinctive competency that improves sustainability performance and provides a sustainable competitive advantage.	Focus on RI as a strategic initiative.	Study is limited to manufacturing firms in Malaysia, limiting broader generalizability.
[30]	Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Trujillo, Peru (Footwear, Metalworking, Textiles)	ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies), Quality Improvements	Quality, human capital, finances, strategic planning, marketing, and alliances positively impact competitiveness. ICT integration has mixed results.	- Strategic planning - Promote alliances - Investment in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) - Enhancing human capital.	Limited longitudinal studies on the sustained impact of strategies; lack of comparative studies across other Latin American regions or industries.
[31]	Firms transitioning to circular economy	Digital technologies, business analytics	Business analytics is crucial for leveraging digital technologies to implement a more efficient and effective digital-enabled circular economy.	Development of business analytics capabilities and adoption of digital technologies.	Based on a thematic analysis of expert interviews, may not fully capture the nuances.
[32]	Firms listed in the Indian Stock Market	Technological innovation (TI)	TI has a positive association with disability employment (EDI) and combining EDI with TI improves the financial performance of firms. Service sector is a critical contributor.	Increase disability employment and utilize technological innovation.	Limited to Indian stock market; may not apply to all contexts.
[33]	Croatian export companies	New digital technologies	Absorptive capacity for new technologies significantly impacts financial performance, especially in foreign markets.	Investment in the ability to absorb and apply new technologies.	Focuses on Croatian export companies only, so may have limited generalizability.
[34]	Civil Service Organizations (Central and Eastern Europe)	Digital marketing, social media tools, mobile applications, digital hubs, and CRMs	Modern technologies improve communication efficiency, transparency, and social image. A combination of traditional and innovative tools enhances social trust and stakeholder engagement.	Integrating social media strategies, leveraging digital marketing tools, developing human capital in digital communication, and fostering innovative HR practices.	Focuses on Central and Eastern European countries.
[35]	Brazilian Industrial Sectors (e.g., Chemicals, Food, Software Development)	Innovation expenditures, workforce qualifications (e.g., postgraduate and undergraduate education), net revenue innovations	Innovation expenditures and human capital qualifications are critical drivers of competitiveness; sector-specific dynamics are significant.	Investing in advanced education, promoting innovation-friendly policies, and targeted sectoral strategies to enhance competitiveness.	Limited temporal scope (2011–2017); lack of deeper exploration of demographic, economic, and regional variations in the data.
[36]	Manufacturing Sector in India (Industry 5.0 Context)	AI, IoT, Blockchain, Advanced Robotics, Digital Twins, AR/VR	Integration of Industry 5.0 technologies with cleaner production practices is essential for achieving sustainable competitive advantage. AI and IoT emerge as the most influential strategies.	Adopt AI and IoT for optimization, incorporate Blockchain for transparency, and adopt the GRID (Green, Resilient, Inclusive Development) framework for sustainable production.	Study focused on Indian manufacturing; applicability to other developing economies and sectors requires further investigation. Limited exploration of long-term impacts.
[37]	Manufacturing firms in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.	Attributes-Based Costing (ABC II)	ABC II technology significantly contributes to achieving sustainable development goals. It promotes environmental protection, reduces pollution, and increases market competitiveness.	Adoption of advanced cost management techniques, emphasizing environmentally friendly production and adherence to product specifications. Awareness programs for management on sustainability goals are recommended.	The study is specific to cement and iron manufacturing firms in the Sulaimani city.
[38]	High-Tech Firms in China	Knowledge Absorptive Capacity (Acquisition, Assimilation, Transformation, Exploitation), Innovation Culture	Absorptive capacity significantly impacts innovation performance; innovative culture mediates this relationship by fostering knowledge use and creativity.	Invest in improving absorptive capacity dimensions, promote innovative cultural practices, and encourage employee participation in innovation.	Limited exploration of specific high-tech sectors; focus needed on regional dynamics and the evolution of innovation culture over time.
[39]	Discrete Manufacturing SMEs in India	Industry 4.0 Technologies (Real-time Machine Data, Digital Transformation, Design Interventions)	Adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies can enhance manufacturing competitiveness through operational improvements and real-time data analytics. SMEs need to prioritize digitalization for sustainability and relevance in the global market.	Develop policies to support Industry 4.0 adoption, prioritize skill development programs, and incorporate real-time machine data analysis into manufacturing strategies.	Limited to Indian SMEs and may not reflect a broader picture. Also, the maturity assessment is still evolving.
[40]	Chinese industrial enterprises	Digital capability	Building digital capability is crucial for sustainable competitive advantages. Major concerns are R&D, production, supply chain, financial, business, and customer service.	Identify suitable digital capabilities and efficiently implement the building process, with focus on key areas of concern.	Limited by the data sample based in Chinese industrial enterprises.
[41]	Retail end of FMCG (Fast- Moving Consumer Goods) industry	Advanced technology	Dominant sustainability factors in the Nigerian FMCG retail sector are advanced technology, cost, reliability, on-time delivery, and environmental competencies.	Focus on sustainability factors like technology, cost, and environmental aspects for supplier selection.	Study is limited to the retail sector of the Nigerian FMCG industry.
[42]	Small and Medium Culinary Enterprises in Indonesia	Open Innovation, Digital Technology Integration	Open innovation and competitive advantage significantly enhance the sustainability of culinary SMEs. Open innovation helps SMEs adapt to industry trends and consumer preferences, while competitive advantage fosters differentiation through unique products and services.	Encourage SMEs to adopt open innovation practices by leveraging digital technologies, analyzing consumer trends, and creating distinctive offerings to strengthen their competitive edge.	Specific to culinary SMEs in 10 large cities in Indonesia.
[43]	Broad (Companies that innovate)	Artificial Intelligence (AI)	Integrating AI with sustainable frugal innovation can increase business competitiveness during disruptions in a more sustainable way.	Focus on understanding the critical success factors for integrating AI with sustainable frugal innovation.	The study is theoretical and case study based, not an empirical study.
[44]	Manufacturing Industry	Digital Transformation (DT)	Manufacturers should initiate DT to enhance competitiveness, regardless of technology level. DT enhances the ability to respond to emergencies, impacts carbon emissions.	Initiate DT and respond to external emergencies by choosing the correct level of DT.	Study divides DT into low and high technology market scenarios and this may not encompass all scenarios. The impact of DT on carbon emissions is also uncertain.
[45]	Construction Sector SMEs in Emerging Markets	Artificial Intelligence (AI), Knowledge Integration	Openness to innovation influences perceived knowledge, which affects performance expectations and AI adoption. Knowledge integration moderates the relationship between adoption and actual usage of AI.	Promote openness to innovation among construction SMEs, enhance knowledge integration frameworks, and align AI-based technology with performance expectations.	Research limited to SMEs in construction; further investigation needed into cross-sectoral AI adoption and long-term impacts on sustainability.
[46]	Green Technologies (Global Focus on China and the U.S.)	Data Processing Systems, Traffic Control Systems, Building Designs, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications	Both nations focus strategically on ARD green technology. The U.S. leads in innovation and capabilities, while China excels in application scale and rapid growth, narrowing the gap.	Encourage collaborative R&D, integrate green technologies in policies, and promote industry-university partnerships to boost innovation and application.	Limited exploration of industry-specific applications; lack of detailed socio-economic impact analysis, especially for emerging markets.
[47]	Industrial Sector in Thailand	Digital Technology, Leadership Models, Quality Control Systems, Total Quality Management (TQM)	Management strategies like planning, customer focus, leadership, workforce, and digital technology drive sustainable excellence. Leadership and customer focus are the most significant factors.	Foster leadership with a vision for sustainable growth, implement TQM for quality control, and enhance workforce digital skills.	Limited generalizability to industries outside Thailand; reliance on specific metrics and lack of qualitative insights into implementation challenges.
[48]	Upscale Hotel Industry	Artificial Intelligence (AI), Advanced Technologies	Workforce employability is increasingly tied to competence in AI applications and advanced technologies, critical for addressing labor shortages and enhancing operational efficiency.	Develop AI-focused training programs, implement frameworks for workforce employability evaluation, and optimize management practices based on updated competency indicators.	Focuses on upscale hotels and may not apply to all types of hotels.
[49]	Hospitality and Tourism (Hotels in Emerging Economies)	Eco-Friendly Technologies, Sustainable Policies, Environmental Regulation Adherence	Technological advancements, organizational commitments, and adherence to environmental standards enhance sustainability practices and competitive advantage in hotels.	Emphasize the TOE (Technology-Organization-Environment) framework by integrating advanced technologies, sustainable policies, and strict adherence to environmental regulations.	Limited in geographic scope to Africa and Asia.
[50]	SMEs	Digital performance, advanced technology	Strategic convergence of social, economic, environmental, and digital performances enables SMEs to survive long-term; introducing a Smart Quadruple Bottom Line (SQBL) framework.	Adopt the SQBL framework, enhance business efficiency using data driven decision making.	Conceptual and lacks empirical testing; future research needs to inquire on this conceptualization.
[51]	Biotechnology (Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture, Food Production)	Biotechnological Innovation Systems, R&D Networks, Public–Private Collaboration	Biotechnology innovation enhances competitiveness through increased R&D efficiency and knowledge transfer. Policies and collaborations are key drivers of sustainable innovation.	Strengthen innovation policies, foster government-industry-academic collaborations, and promote investment in biotech-specific R&D networks.	Limited integration of biotech innovation across sectors; challenges in scaling R&D due to regulatory and funding constraints.
[52]	European Union countries	Digitalization, innovation	Competitiveness is measured through innovation capacity and digitalization level. Governments should promote wealth, employment, research, and infrastructure investments.	Governments should promote wealth, employment, research, and infrastructure investments.	Limited to European countries.
[53]	Cross-country (Global economies)	Digital technology (measured by Inclusive Internet Index), innovation (Global Innovation Index), financial technology (Fintech)	Digital technology, innovation, and financial technology are all linked to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) achievement, and different countries can choose appropriate paths to facilitate their own SDG achievements.	Focus on digital technology, innovation, and financial technology depending on competitive advantages.	Limited to a few indices and countries from 2020 and 2021.
[54]	Intelligent manufacturing enterprises	Green Technology Innovation (GTI)	GTI capability is critical for the sustainable development of the intelligent manufacturing (IM) industry; model is established using Z-numbers to include qualitative and quantitative metrics.	Improve evaluation of GTI based on new methods and Z-numbers.	Model may be complex to implement and is based on specific methods.
[55]	Chinese listed companies	Digital Technology Adoption (DTA)	DTA improves innovation performance, mediated by knowledge base breadth and depth; the indirect effect of knowledge base breadth is moderated by technological capability.	Adoption of digital technologies and development of a strong knowledge base.	Study limited to Chinese listed companies; may not apply to all types of companies.
[56]	Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) leveraging Blockchain Technology	Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), K-means Clustering, Topic Matching Index (TMI)	Industry-University Cooperation (IUC) enhances SMEs’ ability to identify opportunities for technological innovation and achieve sustainable competitiveness.	Use LDA for technology topic extraction, K-means for patent clustering, TMI for selecting universities, and cooperation networks for identifying research teams.	Limited validation across other technology domains beyond blockchain; does not address long-term impacts of IUC on SMEs’ innovation capacity.
[57]	Agribusiness	Logistics 4.0	Logistics 4.0 enhances the sustainability of firms in the agro-industrial sector through digital technologies and innovative business models and creates competitive advantages for these firms.	Implement Logistics 4.0 strategies to promote sustainability and competitiveness.	Bibliometric and content analysis from 2015 to 2021.
[58]	Firms located in a science and technology park (STP)	External knowledge sources, absorptive capacity	Firms’ sustainability performance is affected by external knowledge sources and absorptive capacity; heterogeneity is explained by embedding in STP networks and absorbing knowledge.	Focus on embedding in networks and knowledge absorption.	Limited to firms in science and technology parks in Spain.
[59]	Biopharmaceutical Industry, University Collaboration	Technology Transfer, Bayesian Network Models	Collaboration between universities and industries enhances technology transfer, innovation, and sustainability. Key processes include knowledge management, innovation strategy, and needs detection.	Foster university-industry partnerships, implement structured knowledge transfer models, and utilize Bayesian networks for decision-making.	Limited generalizability to industries beyond biopharmaceuticals; reliance on case study data for model validation.
[60]	Nano-Textiles and Smart Textiles	Emerging technologies (e.g., engineered nanoparticles, electronic components)	Early-stage innovation in nano- and smart textiles can entail significant EHS/S risks due to epistemic uncertainty about exposure and harm mechanisms. Proactive risk assessment enhances competitiveness by enabling safe product design.	Adopt life cycle assessment approaches, integrate sustainable design heuristics, and enforce legislative standards for risk management during innovation processes.	Limited capacity and resources for businesses, particularly SMEs, to assess and manage EHS/S risks; inadequate legal frameworks to address emerging technology risks.
[61]	Manufacturing firms in Thailand	Technological innovation, Supply chain integration (SCI)	Companies with higher level of SCI have more benefit for implementation of environmental management activities; EMPs promote technological innovation.	Focus on SCI and the implementation of environmental management activities.	Specific to the Thailand manufacturing sector.
[62]	Companies in Portugal	Open Innovation	Portuguese firms need to cut back on activities not leading to the right outcomes; the right partnerships and innovation accelerators are critical.	Cut back on activities not leading to outcomes, focus on partnerships and innovation accelerators.	Based on Portuguese data from the Community Innovation Survey, it has some limitations.
[63]	Firms in Malaysia	Environmental technological innovation (ET innovation)	ET innovation is linked to sustainable development; firms need to be more market-oriented in developing their eco-products and green technologies.	Invest in R&D and become more market-oriented in eco-product development.	Specific to ET innovation in Malaysia, and generalization to other regions is limited.
[64]	Broad (Global Economy)	Technological development	Technological development is a major driver of disruptive change, which should be perceived as an opportunity rather than a threat.	Perceive innovative technology as a potential opportunity, rather than a threat.	Qualitative approach based on the author’s opinion and limited macroeconomic data.
[65]	Internationalized Brazilian chemical industry	Sustainable technological innovation	Management practices of sustainable innovation may represent motivations for international partnerships and innovations that can lead to domestic and international market opportunities.	Seek international partnerships and innovation opportunities.	Specifically limited to the Brazilian Chemical Industry.
[66]	Chinese manufacturing companies	Technological innovation practices (TIPs) (product and process)	TIP positively influences attractive and normal product quality. Firm size moderates the relationship between TIP and attractive quality.	Utilize innovation practices (product and process) to improve product quality.	Study limited to Chinese manufacturing companies and specific data from China.
[67]	Manufacturing firms with sustainable supply chains	Sustainable technology selection	Technology selection for sustainable supply chains is complex, involving economic, environmental, and societal factors.	Focus on sustainability criteria, implement multi-criteria decision making for technology selection.	Limited by the specific MCDM model and focus on the selection process of sustainable technologies.
[68]	Marketing and Communication Across Industries	Social Networks (Facebook), Mobile Technologies	Facebook enhances organizational competitiveness through dynamic communication, customer interaction, and viral marketing, transcending geographical boundaries. Social factors like learning and interaction contribute to a sustainable competitive advantage.	Organizations should prioritize meaningful content creation, integrate social and mobile technologies, and monitor user behavior to transform fans into customers.	Study limited to Portugal with small sample size; focuses on short-term behaviors rather than long-term trends. Limited application to broader geographic and cultural contexts.
[69]	Brazilian Biodiesel Supply Chain	Innovations in biodiesel production processes, supply chain logistics, and monitoring systems	Structural dimensions like supply chain environment, institutional frameworks, and market conditions directly influence sustainable competitiveness. Emphasis on balancing economic viability, environmental impact mitigation, and social inclusion.	Use of intermodal transportation, development of monitoring systems, and stakeholder collaboration for efficient operations. Policies promoting sustainability and regulatory frameworks.	Limited empirical validation of the proposed conceptual model. Lack of case studies to assess practical implementation of the identified structural dimensions in real-world scenarios.
[70]	Quality Management in Enterprises	Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) on-track innovation, Technological Perception, Organizational Quality Specific Immune Syste	CQI technological discontinuities positively influence CQI on-track innovation; organizational quality immune system mediates these effects; technological perception moderates both direct and indirect relationships.	Develop robust CQI frameworks addressing technological discontinuities, align CQI efforts with technological perception, and strengthen organizational quality immune mechanisms.	Limited exploration of practical implementation; does not address industry-specific variations or long-term impacts of CQI innovations.
[71]	Tourism and Hospitality Industry (Vietnam)	Digital transformation, status certainty tools, mimetic pressure, creativity mechanisms	Internal factors (creativity, traditionality) and external factors (mimetic pressure, digital technology speed) positively influence business responses and firm performance during crises.	Integrate internal creativity and traditional practices with external factors like digital transformation and mimetic pressure for effective responses to crises.	Limited focus on long-term impacts of strategies; study specific to COVID-19 era and Vietnamese tourism, limiting broader applicability.
[72]	Agro-based Industries in Emerging Economies (e.g., Pakistan)	Sustainable supply chain technologies, Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchical Process (FAHP)	Seven key barriers identified: lack of sustainable outsourcing, production, innovation, marketing, knowledge sharing, and technology adoption. Sustainable outsourcing ranked as the most critical.	Implement multi-criteria decision-making frameworks, foster sustainable buyer-supplier relationships, and address barriers to SSCI adoption systematically.	Study focused on agro-based industries in Pakistan, limiting generalizability; reliance on subjective expert inputs which may introduce bias.
[73]	Service Firms in Taiwan	Proactive Environmental Strategy (PES), Information Use (Internal and External)	PES positively influences environmentally sustainable practices; external information significantly strengthens the PES-practices link. Internal information has a weaker and inconsistent effect.	Balance internal and external information use, foster partnerships with external actors, and integrate external data sources for enhanced decision-making.	Study limited to Taiwanese service firms; lacks generalizability to other regions and industries. Further exploration of other contingent factors needed.
[74]	Urban Development in Singapore	Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), Green Building Technologies, Water Recycling (NEWater), Desalination	Singapore excels in sustainable urban design through innovations in transportation, energy efficiency, green buildings, and water management. Ranked as Asia’s greenest city and a global leader in sustainable urban mobility.	Policies for car limitation, use of ITS for-traffic management, mandatory green building practices, integration of water reclamation and desalination systems.	Limited scalability of certain policies like car ownership restrictions to other global cities; reliance on high investments in advanced technologies.
[75]	National Digital Economy (Focus on Public Services and Private Enterprises in Ukraine)	E-Governance, Digital Technologies (e.g., ICT, AI), Cybersecurity, E-Commerce	Digitalization boosts competitiveness through global value chain integration, resilience during crises (pandemic and war), and innovative digital service delivery. Military conditions have redirected digitalization focus towards defense capabilities.	Development of e-governance platforms, adoption of ICT and cybersecurity frameworks, expansion of broadband internet, and leveraging digitalization for economic recovery.	The study does not address the scalability of digitalization efforts under prolonged conflict conditions. Limited examination of cross-sectoral digital integration and regional disparities in adoption.
[76]	Cross-Industry Digitalization and Entrepreneurship in National Economies (34 Countries)	Digitalization (Connectivity, Internet Use, Digital Integration), Entrepreneurship, ICT	Digitalization positively impacts sustainable competitiveness through improved connectivity, Internet usage, and digital integration. Entrepreneurial activity is a mediator in enhancing sustainability	Promote digital infrastructure, Internet access, and digital integration in business processes. Encourage entrepreneurial activity through supportive policies and education.	Limited timeframe (2015–2018) and geographic scope (34 countries); does not explore long-term sustainability or diverse regional impacts of digitalization.
[77]	Cross-Industry (Knowledge-Based Societies)	Mechanisms of Technological Innovation in Economic, Social, and Environmental Spheres	Technological innovation creates synergistic benefits across economic, social, and environmental pillars, reinforcing sustainable development. Policies that integrate social and environmental progress requirements support low-cost sustainable economic growth.	Develop integrated policies combining technological innovation with environmental and social goals; ensure low-cost mechanisms for policy implementation to spur innovation.	Lacks empirical validation of proposed mechanisms; limited application framework for specific industries or regional contexts.
[78]	Indian Textile Industry	AI, Robotics, Blockchain, Greener Logistics	Industry 4.0 technologies within the circular economy framework improve resource optimization, emissions monitoring, and sustainability. Positive outcomes include government incentives and greener logistics.	Implement Industry 4.0-driven CE practices, utilize hybrid decision-making frameworks, and enhance government support for green initiatives.	Limited focus on market demand and profitability of green products; further research needed to optimize economic outcomes of CE strategies.
[79]	Sustainable Packaging Across Different Industries	Biopolymers, Bioplastics, Advanced Processing Techniques, Waste Valorization, Circular Economy Integration	Sustainable packaging enhances competitive advantage through pollution prevention, product stewardship, and sustainable development. Social aspects and stakeholder integration are underexplored in current sustainable packaging research.	Promote stakeholder integration in packaging strategies, invest in sustainable materials, and improve waste management frameworks. Develop policies to support technology commercialization.	Insufficient focus on social aspects in sustainable packaging research. Limited examination of packaging innovation commercialization and its practical challenges.
[80]	Hospitality and Tourism (Scattered Hotels)	Customized Technological Solutions, Ecosystem Integration, Personalized Experiences	Scattered hotels leverage technological innovation to revitalize old towns and villages, enhance local economies, and preserve cultural and ecological integrity while boosting destination competitiveness.	Implement tailored technological solutions for scattered hotels, foster cooperation among stakeholders, and promote personalized tourist experiences to enhance destination value.	Challenges include limited financing, lack of cooperation, uncertain demand, and barriers to innovation adoption among small entrepreneurs and stakeholders.
[81]	Enterprise Innovation Across Sectors	Technological Innovation, Product Innovation, System Innovation, Ecological Innovation	Environmental regulation impacts enterprise innovation through complex interactions involving creation, adoption, and application of new technologies, products, and systems. The outcomes depend on enterprise characteristics, regulatory methods, and strategic behaviors.	Align environmental regulations with enterprise characteristics, promote innovation through tailored policies, and foster enterprise ecosystems for strategic collaboration.	Lack of quantification of innovation caused by regulation; limited insights into the integration of eliminated enterprises and the role of social security in this context.
[82]	Logistics and Procurement Sector	Strategic Procurement 4.0 (e.g., IoT, Big Data, Cloud-based ERP) in the Circular Economy	Enhanced competitiveness through strategic alignment with circular economy practices and adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies	Adoption of procurement planning, strategy, and performance review tailored to circular economy; real-time data integration.	Limited empirical evidence across different contexts; focus on large companies, with smaller enterprises underexplored; lack of longitudinal studies for long-term performance impact.
[83]	Digital Finance and Payment Systems	Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), Digital Payment Platforms (e.g., DCEP, Alipay, WeChat Pay), Advanced Simulation Techniques	Cooperation between CBDCs and private payment platforms can lead to optimal market outcomes. Government support is critical for CBDC adoption, and user connectivity is a major determinant of profitability and competitiveness.	Strengthen government backing for CBDCs during initial stages, promote cross-platform compatibility, and leverage existing user networks for market penetration.	Limited exploration of cross-border implications and global CBDC integration. Lack of real-world empirical validation for the Stackelberg model’s predictions.

• Citation of the Article: The source of the article.
• Sector/Industry Focus: In order to shed light on the specific industries or sectors examined.
• Technological Innovations Discussed: Summary of the technological advancements that were covered in the studies, such as Industry 4.0, digital transformations, or circular economy practices.
• Key Findings on Sustainable Competitiveness: Summarizes the studies’ contributions to understanding how technological innovations impact sustainable competitiveness.
• Measures and Strategies: Outlines actionable recommendations for enhancing sustainable competitiveness, including policy suggestions, frameworks, and industry-specific interventions.
• Limitations/Gaps: Identifies unresolved challenges or research gaps.

To support Table 4 and Table 5, there is an additional Table A1 in Appendix A—An additional table that provides auxiliary information to the reviewed studies. This table includes:

• Cite of the article: Lists of the 68 publications included in the review.
• Research Method: The methodological approaches used in the studies (e.g., case studies, qualitative analyses, etc.)
• Keywords: Highlights significant terms that were used by the authors in their research.
• Citation Metrics: Provides data on the academic impact and recognition of the studies.

4. Discussion

In this article, we conduct a systematic literature review exploring how technological innovations are shaping sustainable competitiveness for different sectors and industries. Our objective was to answer 3 main questions. We ran a screening for the abstracts and titles of 122 articles we got from the Scopus database. 68 articles were selected to be final papers for this review. Those were rated according to their relevance to sustainable competitiveness. While doing that, we also decided to give a rate for each dimension of this term to add more value to this review. In this section, we are going to answer the three questions and provide all the details from the selected articles.

• RQ1: Are the technological innovations key determinant of sustainable competitiveness?

After doing this systematic review and after careful analysis of 68 articles from the Scopus database, we can say that technological innovations are one of the key elements that shape sustainable competitiveness across various industries. Many of the researchers in their articles stress the role of advanced technologies in achieving sustainability goals while sustaining or enhancing competitive advantage [35,36,52,76,84].

Key insights from the reviewed articles include:

• Enhancing Operational Efficiency:

Articles such as [24,36,43] shed light on the importance of using artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in enhancing process optimization. Gómez and others also covered in their research the true value of both AI and IoT in manufacturing. They mentioned how it helps the industry in data-driven decision-making, besides helping improve resource management. Hence, it leads to reduced waste and sustains their competitiveness in the market [24]. The Resource-Based View (RBV) holds that these technologies are important assets that businesses may use to obtain and preserve a competitive edge. Through the use of AI and IoT, businesses create distinctive skills in data management and process optimization that are hard for rivals to match, giving them long-term benefits. Furthermore, the importance of the Internet of Things (IoT) in improving cleaner industrial techniques was covered in research by Girdwichai et al. Improving cleaner production means an increase in resource efficiency in production, which allows organizations to be more efficient [61], resulting in sustainable business development. According to the Dynamic Capabilities Theory, these innovations help businesses improve their long-term competitiveness by allowing them to modify their current processes and adjust to shifting environmental conditions. Businesses contribute significantly to both environmental and economic sustainability by integrating and automating their processes. This means that companies can achieve more with less, which is key to sustainable practices.

• Driving Market Differentiation:

Technological innovation allows companies to develop differentiated products and services that set them apart from their competitors. This was covered by different researchers, such as in those articles [19,85]. Others mentioned that this is a key element of achieving a sustainable competitive advantage [66,86,87]. Businesses that use technological innovation as a valued resource, such as smart textiles or nano-textiles, may create distinctive product offers that are challenging for rivals to imitate, claims the Resource-Based View (RBV). Businesses can strengthen their market positioning by creating unique offerings; they can attract new customers who value innovation highlighted by different articles such as [30,42,62]. Köhler A. and Som C. covered in their research new emerging technologies such as smart textiles and nano-textiles, which play significant roles in enhancing material performance and aligning production with sustainability goals [60]. Technologies like this offer the potential to create products with unique properties. For example, products with improved durability or environmental friendliness allow companies to grow a market segment that is interested in sustainable and high-performance products [60].

• Achieving Environmental Goals–Green innovations a source of competitiveness:

Renewable systems are a green technological innovation that might play a significant role in enhancing a company’s competitiveness [86]. Firms that have green innovation in their focus can create differentiated products and services, which might work as a significant role in increasing their sustainable competitiveness. Articles like the study by Malagón et al. [23] emphasize that the adoption of green technologies, including renewable energy systems and energy-efficient solutions, is crucial for reducing environmental impacts. This is not the only thing, but it helps establish a good image for businesses while giving them a competitive advantage, mentioned in the article [88]. A study by Thompson B. and Rust S. [89] highlighted that the use of blockchain can reduce food fraud, which is a problem that affects both environmental sustainability and trust in supply chains [90]. According to the Dynamic Capabilities Theory, the deployment of blockchain is an example of how businesses are constantly reshaping their capacities to satisfy consumer expectations for more sustainability and transparency. The implementation of blockchain also creates a competitive advantage for businesses that use it.

• Addressing Social and Economic Aspects:

Dabbous A., Barakat K., and Kraus S., in their article, shed light on the importance of connectivity and digital integration [76]. Those factors help in promoting entrepreneurial activity and sustainable competitiveness across different industries. According to the Resource-Based View (RBV), these elements are important assets that businesses may use to gain a competitive edge. Further, the Dynamic Capabilities Theory emphasizes that firms must continuously renew and reconfigure their capabilities to maintain a competitive edge, particularly in a rapidly changing technological and environmental landscape. Technological innovations like digitalization serve as dynamic capabilities, allowing firms to adapt to evolving market demands and shifts in environmental and social imperatives. By leveraging these capabilities, companies can rapidly respond to new opportunities and reconfigure their operations to meet sustainability challenges, thus ensuring long-term competitive positioning. Additionally, in different articles, such as [75,91], technological innovations address social and economic aspects. This includes job creation, skill development, and increased access to some essential services [50,76]. As an example of this, digitalization is a significant driver of growth and technological development in the global economy. It leads to the creation of new business markets. However, they also highlight disparities in digital infrastructure and how they need inclusive strategies to ensure equity.

• Catalyzing Strategic Transformation:

Our findings after careful reading of articles show that, firms are increasingly using frameworks like the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) to integrate sustainability into their main business strategies [50]. This means it involves considering not only economic performance but also social and environmental impacts [24]. In this study [92], which is not from the 68 but from the 122 articles, it highlighted that firms are seeking to integrate sustainable business models to increase competitive advantage. Hence, it is related to sustainable competitiveness in some ways.

2.

RQ2: How do advanced technologies contribute to sustainable competitiveness across sectors?

The operational efficiency for different sectors can be enhanced by integrating advanced technologies into the work, it can lead to reduced waste, and improved resource management, leading in the end to improved economic and environmental sustainability. Table 6 down below provides a conclusion to the questions in detail for the sectors explored in the studies selected for this review.

Table 6. Sustainable Competitiveness Across Sectors/Industries.

Sector/Industry	Technological Innovations	Key Contributions
Textile & Fashion [2,60,93]	Cloud computing, IT, automation, robotics, machine learning [2], enzymes for bio-based processing [93], nano-textiles, smart textiles [60]	Reduced product lead time and cost, increased supply chain efficiency [2], more sustainable and less resource intensive production, hence, increasing sustainable competitiveness [93]. Addresses health & safety and sustainability (EHS/S) risks [60], enhance competitiveness [2], improved performance of materials [93]
Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) [18,45,50,56,62,94,95]	Digitalization, AI [45], marketing automation, digital platforms [18], open innovation [62], supply chain integration [61]	Enhanced competitiveness [18,45], mitigated crises [94], improved sustainability [45,50], access to global markets [18], streamlined operations [18], better customer relations, innovation and knowledge transfer [56], addresses environmental concerns [50], more efficient practices [95], improved brand value [56]
Agriculture & Agribusiness [20,26,27,57,96]	Precision agriculture, smart livestock management [20], Logistics 4.0, digital technologies, new business models [24,55], digital farming technologies [27], ICT, precision agriculture technologies [96], AI [43]	Optimized resource utilization, minimized environmental impact [20], enhanced sustainability and competitiveness [26,57], increased productivity [27], efficient and sustainable farming [57], improved decision making [57], improved supply chain [96], sustainable development [27,57]
Manufacturing [29,32,36,37,40,44,55,61,66,67,97]	AI, IoT, blockchain, digital twins [36], digital transformation technologies [44], AI [43], advanced production techniques [37], product and process innovation [66], knowledge management systems [97], clean technologies [67]	Enhanced cleaner production practices [36], sustainable competitive advantage [36], improved product quality [66], better cost management [37], optimized resource use [36], enhanced responsiveness to market needs, greater innovation performance [38,55], supply chain efficiency [67], greater knowledge sharing [61]
Energy [98,99]	Digital technologies for managing energy grids [98], Advanced technologies for fuel and energy production [99]	Managing supply fluctuations, ensuring a reliable energy supply [98], Promoting sustainable growth and global competitiveness of the energy sector [99], Increased efficiency [99].
Transportation (Air) [23]	New materials, fuels, building methods	Supports circular economy principles, promotes sustainability, and increases competitiveness [23].
Public Sector/Civil Service [34]	Digital communication tools, digital marketing techniques, business intelligence [34]	Improved communication strategies, enhanced value to stakeholders, more sustainable communication [34].
Tourism & Hospitality [49,71]	Eco-friendly technologies, digital transformation [49], digital technology speed, AI [71]	Enhanced sustainable competitive advantage [49], improved business responses during crisis [71].
Banking & Finance [100]	FinTech, blockchain, big data, digital ecosystem [100]	Transformation of traditional services, improved competitiveness and efficiency, staying relevant in the digital era [100].
Construction [45]	AI-based technology	Enhanced competitiveness, improved sustainability, increased efficiency [45].
Education [101]	Digital technology	Improve competitiveness, address governance challenges [101]
Biotechnology [51]	Genetic and biotechnological innovations	Sustainable development, wealth generation [51]

3.

RQ3: What measures and strategies stimulate and accelerate sustainable competitiveness?

The following Table 7 includes the identified and highlighted measures and strategies from most of the articles.

Table 7. Measures and Strategies Stimulate and Accelerate Sustainable Competitiveness.

Measures Stimulating Sustainable Competitiveness	Strategic Priorities in Accelerating Sustainable Competitiveness
Technological Innovation & Digitalization [19,20,23,24,25,32,35,36,52,63,66,76,77,85,101,102]	Digitalization strategies with an emphasis on advanced technologies (e.g., Industry 4.0, IoT, blockchain, etc.) enhance productivity and competitiveness [3,36]. Digitalization affects entrepreneurial activity and sustainable competitiveness in a positive way. Also, it is considered a key driver for both—a company’s economic and sustainable development [52]. Technological innovation leads to new product development and is crucial for achieving sustainable competitive advantage [19]. Strategic procurement 4.0 with digital technologies increases competitiveness. Other researchers focused on green innovations and highlighted that green technology innovation improves product quality and enterprise competitiveness [82]. Others confirmed that the integration of digital technologies in business processes optimizes efficiency and contributes to sustainability [24].
Circular Economy Practices [3,17,23,78,82]	Strategies of implementing a circular economy that helps us live more sustainably by minimizing our impact on the planet [3]. By cutting down on waste and using our resources wisely, businesses can thrive and be more sustainable [23]. Strategic procurement 4.0 within a circular economy can give businesses a serious competitive edge, as highlighted in article [82]. However, Smaller businesses might experience some initial financial setbacks while they are figuring out how to make these new circular economy approaches work [82].
Cleaner Production & Green Practices [36,85,97,102,103]	Green production strategy, especially environmentally friendly production, is one of the main factors of sustainability [102]. Integrating cleaner production with technological innovation can lead to a sustainable competitive advantage [36]. Greening economic activity and adopting green marketing strategies are also important for green competitiveness [103]. Another article stresses that enterprises can uses technological innovation and green production as a way to be more sustainable and competent [97]. Green innovation enhances firm performance [88].
Open Innovation & Collaboration [42,56,58,102,104]	An open innovation strategy that allows SMEs to innovate by adopting external knowledge and improving sustainability [102]. Collaboration with partners and suppliers fosters implementation of socio-environmental practices and improves economic performance [104]. Industry-university cooperation is an effective model for SMEs to seek technological development and achieve sustainable competitiveness [56]. Science and technology parks can provide access to knowledge sources and networks enhancing sustainability performance of firms [58]
Sustainable Supply Chain Technologies [61,67,69,88,105]	Sustainable supply chain management is crucial for sustainable development [65]. Supply chain integration benefits environmental management and technological innovation [61]. Digital finance can improve firms’ performance in supply chains through green innovation and bargaining power [88]. Supply chain learning is a key conduit to translate entrepreneurial orientation into better environmental and business performance [105]. Mapping structural dimensions within supply chains like monitoring systems and technological innovation is crucial for sustainability and competitiveness [69].
Strategic Management & Planning [21,24,28,30,37,47,82,87,106,107]	Strategic management of logistics activities using modern digital technologies improves competitiveness and sustainable development [106]. Strategic decisions relating to quality, human capital, finance, marketing, and alliances improves competitiveness [30]. Strategic training in procurement 4.0 is important for increasing competitiveness in a circular economy [82]. Strategic orientation of small businesses improves performance [87]. Integrating sustainability performance with innovation enhances value creation [21]. Business strategy innovation is key for promoting sustainable technologies [107]. Companies should have sustainable business strategies and must be creative to achieve sustainability goals [24]. Cost technology based on ABC II specifications positively contributes to sustainable development goals [37].
Human Capital & Skills Development [35,38,66,82]	The human capital management strategy focused on a highly skilled workforce as a key factor in accelerating innovation and competitiveness [35]. Digital skills development is important for sustainable competitiveness [76]. Strategic training in procurement 4.0 enhances competitiveness in a circular economy [82]. Intellectual capital (human, structural and relational) significantly impacts absorptive capacity and innovation performance [38].
Environmental Management Practices (EMP) [61,73,79]	A proactive environmental strategy has a positive effect on environmental practices [73]. Environmental management practices can promote technological innovation, leading to better performance and sustainability [61]. Sustainable packaging and environmental policy compliance are crucial for sustainable development [79]
Entrepreneurial Orientation [53,105]	Entrepreneurial orientation strategy improves the ability of the company to learn and gain insights within the context of the supply chain. At the same time, it has a positive impact on the environment and also on the business’s overall performance in the market [105]. Entrepreneurship is a key antecedent for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [53].
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) [20,104]	The strategy of integrating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with technological innovation enhances sustainability and competitiveness, as mentioned in this article [20]. Also, proactive socio-environmental practices within the organization have been considered a source of competitive advantage, highlighted by the authors of this article [104].

Figure 6 summarizes key strategies for achieving sustainable competitiveness in a flow chart.

Figure 6. Key Strategies for Achieving Sustainable Competitiveness: A Conceptual Flowchart.

Apart from the 3 main questions, while technological innovations contribute to sustainable competitiveness across industries, the impact of these innovations significantly differs between sectors. For example, the manufacturing sector primarily focuses on improving process efficiency and resource management through automation, AI, and IoT, while the services sector emphasizes customer-centric technologies, such as AI-driven personalization and cloud-based solutions, to enhance service delivery and customer engagement [19,35,36,61,66,87].

In the manufacturing sector, technologies such as AI and digital twins optimize production processes and improve resource utilization. This helps to have more sustainable practices that will reduce production waste. Hence, companies are going to gain a competitive edge by lowering production costs and meeting sustainability goals (e.g., reducing energy consumption and waste) [24,36,43,61]. For instance, IoT integration in manufacturing enables businesses to automate resource management, ultimately achieving more with fewer resources, which leads to greater market competitiveness, as mentioned by some authors like [52,55].

On the other hand, in the services sector, innovations such as digital platforms, big data, and cloud computing have transformed customer experiences. Businesses now can offer more personalized and scalable services. This has made service industries more agile and customer-responsive, giving them a competitive advantage in a fast-paced, digitally driven market. For instance, AI-powered chatbots with personalized touches and predictive analytics help service companies better understand and serve their customers, driving both economic and environmental sustainability [42,50,72,100]. Also, it is worth mentioning that cloud computing has enabled some companies to scale their services globally, providing a unique competitive advantage in the modern economy, as highlighted by different authors [71,92,100].

Therefore, the sectoral differences in technological implementation present how industries are actually benefiting from different technologies to address their specific operational challenges. Nowadays, each sector is benefiting from innovations that are aligned with their unique business models and sustainability goals [19,24,42,66].

In order to provide a clearer synthesis of the key empirical findings and actionable insights taken from the reviewed studies, we created the following Table 8. It summarizes the technological innovations across various industries. Also, it presents their contributions to sustainable competitiveness, practical implications for businesses, and critiques of existing studies to identify important gaps.

Table 8. Empirical Evidence, Practical Implications, Limitations, and Gaps Across Industries.

Industry	Technologies Implemented	Empirical Findings	Practical Implications	Limitations of Existing Studies	Gaps	References
Manufacturing	AI, IoT, Digital Twins	Improved efficiency, reduced waste, better resource management.	Implement AI-driven process optimization to reduce waste and increase efficiency.	Studies often focus on large enterprises, leaving out SMEs and their challenges.	The effect of technology on SMEs in manufacturing is underexplored.	[36,43,52,55]
Fashion	Smart Textiles, Nano-textiles	Increased sustainability but inconsistent market adoption.	Scale production of eco-friendly smart textiles and ensure carbon-neutral production.	Lack of long-term sustainability data on innovative textiles.	Need more data on the cost-effectiveness of smart textiles in different market segments.	[2,60,93]
Agriculture	Precision Farming, IoT, Digital Tech	Enhanced resource management, yield optimization, and environmental impact reduction.	Small farms should adopt IoT to optimize water use and soil health.	Existing studies often ignore the socio-economic challenges faced by small-scale farmers.	Gaps in understanding IoT adoption barriers in small-scale farming.	[20,27,96]
Services	AI-driven Personalization, Cloud	Enhanced customer experiences, more responsive service delivery.	Invest in AI for personalized services, ensuring agility in service delivery.	Studies are more focused on technology adoption, less on the integration with human factors (e.g., employee training).	Need more research on the intersection of employee performance and AI in services.	[35,36,42]
Tourism	Digital Platforms, Big Data	Digital transformation enhanced customer engagement but with mixed sustainability impact.	Leverage big data to personalize services while integrating sustainable tourism practices.	Insufficient focus on sustainable tourism models in digitalization studies.	More analysis of the environmental and economic impact of digital transformation in tourism.	[49,71]
Healthcare	AI, Cloud Computing	Improved patient care efficiency, but challenges in long-term sustainability.	Healthcare systems should focus on AI for operational efficiency while reducing costs.	Lack of comprehensive studies on AI’s cost-effectiveness in healthcare in the long run.	Further research needed on how to balance AI adoption with patient privacy concerns.	[24,50,92]
Banking & Finance	Blockchain, Big Data, FinTech	Digital transformation revolutionized service delivery and efficiency.	Invest in FinTech innovations to stay competitive while ensuring security in digital transactions.	Limited research on the long-term impacts of blockchain on customer trust.	Need more insights into blockchain’s role in reducing fraud and increasing customer confidence.	[100]
Education	Digital technologies	Technology adoption is slow in less developed economies. School governance faces challenges in the digital age	In order to attain sustainability, school management must undergo digital transformation.	The distinctive challenges that schools encounter in the digital era and the varying rates of digitalization across different countries may not be completely addressed by studies.	Further research is needed on effective strategies for schools to utilize digital technology and address the digital divide.	[101]
Public Administration	Digital technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Financial technologies (FinTech), Blockchain, Internet-based platforms	Financial reform can enhance urban resilience through technological innovation and industrial agglomeration. AI can improve organizational efficiency and sustainability. Fintech can contribute to economic growth	Governments should support startups, boost connectivity, and raise digital integration levels. To increase economic sustainability, public policy should encourage collaboration among the government, educational institutions, and enterprises.	Research may not adequately address the constraints of deploying digital technologies in the public sector, the limitations of existing FinTech, and a lack of comparison research.	Research is needed to understand effective digital technology implementation in public sector, develop sustainable growth and resilience policies in urban areas, and conduct comparative studies across countries and regions.	[46,53,76]

Another important to conclude in a chart is the influence of external factors like regulatory frameworks, consumer preferences, and technological advancements on firms’ innovation strategies. Figure 7 summarizes the key factors.

Figure 7. Influence of External Factors on Innovation Strategies [34,44,52,61,73,81,86,89].

Moreover, it is worth mentioning that there are regional policy environments that influence the sustainability of technological innovation, along with specific, actionable policy recommendations drawn from the sources provided:

• Infrastructure and Economic Resources: Sustainable technological innovations (STI) are more likely to be adopted in areas with strong infrastructure and economic resources. For instance, by implementing precision agriculture and intelligent livestock management, areas with higher R&D expenditures typically see better Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) results [20].
• Policy Support and Targeted Interventions: The presence of supportive policies and targeted interventions is essential for regions falling behind in sustainability. Government policies encouraging wealth creation, employment, research, and infrastructure investments can facilitate innovation and technological development [52]. In contrast, limited financial autonomy, reliance on political priorities, excessive bureaucracy, and inadequate technological knowledge can impede the implementation of modern technologies in civil service organizations [33].
• Market Conditions: The specific market environment of a region also influences the adoption of new technologies. One study emphasized the importance of market orientation in the development of new products and technologies [63].
• Digital Infrastructure: Entrepreneurship and long-term competitiveness are positively impacted in areas that make investments in digital infrastructure and encourage internet use. Digital integration, internet usage, and connectivity are important determinants of sustained competitiveness [76].
• Financial Reform: Financial reforms in a region can bolster urban resilience through technological innovation and industrial agglomeration.

It is important to add at the end of the discussion a figure that presents the interconnected relationship between the Resource-Based View (RBV), the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), and Dynamic Capabilities. The Figure 8 down below shows how these three theoretical frameworks collectively contribute to sustainable competitiveness. RBV emphasizes the strategic importance of internal resources and capabilities, TBL integrates sustainability by balancing economic, social, and environmental factors, and Dynamic Capabilities highlight the firm’s ability to adapt and innovate in response to changing market conditions. The intersection of these theories represents the foundation for achieving long-term competitive advantage, where valuable resources, sustainability principles, and continuous adaptation work together to drive organizational success.

Figure 8. The interconnected relationship between the Resource-Based View (RBV), the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), and Dynamic Capabilities.

To conclude, the research results demonstrate the following strategic priorities to enhance technological innovations that accelerate sustainable competitiveness: digitalization strategies with an emphasis on advanced technologies; implementing circular economy practices that minimize waste; green production strategies, specializing in environmentally friendly production; an open innovation strategies focused on attracting advanced external knowledge; sustainable supply chain management practices; strategic management practices focused on competitiveness, a highly skilled workforce, and on the integrating corporate social responsibility with technological innovation that enhance sustainability and competitiveness.

5. Conclusions

This systematic review explores advanced technology’s role—primarily Industry 4.0 innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain—as a key determinant of sustainable competitiveness. Based on the analysis and synthesis of the reviewed literature, it has been proven that advanced technologies, as well as effective strategies for their implementation, can improve long-term sustainable competitiveness in various industries in different countries, including enterprises of large, small, and medium-sized businesses in the real and public sectors of the economy. Moreover, in today’s dynamic and changing environment, which is exposed to various challenges, risks, and uncertainties, technological innovation is becoming crucial for competitiveness and sustainable development at micro-, meso-, and macroeconomic levels.

A systematic review of the scientific literature made it possible to form the scientific basis for the theoretical substantiation of the essential role of technological innovations in achieving sustainable competitiveness based on the interconnections and logical integration of the Resource-Based View (RBV), the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), and Dynamic Capabilities approaches. The synthesis of these theories provides an understanding that in modern conditions of dynamic scientific progress and growing social demands, technological innovations are the main valuable resource, mechanism, and strategic priority for achieving sustainable competitiveness.

At the same time, as evidenced by a systematic literature review, the potential of technological innovation can be limited or, on the contrary, expanded due to external and institutional factors, which include regulatory frameworks, consumer preferences, stakeholders’ expectations, socio-cultural traditions and norms, technological advancements on firms’ innovation strategies, etc.

The conducted review of the scientific literature proved the existence of empirical confirmation of the importance of technological innovations and their notable contributions to various sectors. For example, in the agriculture sector, innovations in precision agriculture and digital farming—highlighted in studies [20,27,96]—optimize resource use and minimize environmental impact. In the textile and fashion industries, the adoption of smart textiles and nano-textiles has led to more sustainable production processes [2,60,93]. Meanwhile, digital platforms, big data, and AI-driven personalization have enhanced customer engagement and operational flexibility in the services sector, as was highlighted in those studies [35,36,42]. These sector-specific insights intensify the need for tailored strategies that align technological capabilities with unique industry challenges and sustainability goals.

Our review identifies several strategic measures that stimulate sustainable competitiveness, including but not limited to:

• Digitalization and Advanced Technologies: tapping into Industry 4.0 innovations to drive operational efficiency and innovation.
• Circular Economy and Green Practices: implementing circular economy ideas and cleaner production practices to reduce waste and maximize resource use.
• Open Innovation and Collaboration: promoting external knowledge integration and stakeholder collaboration to enhance innovation capacity.
• Sustainable Supply Chain Management: It is about using advanced technologies to ensure the supply chain is environmentally friendly and dependable.

Businesses that integrate these methods into their core operations yield both increased profitability and a secure equilibrium for environmental and social responsibility.

Although our review’s findings have theoretical and empirical confirmation, it is vital to acknowledge that they are based solely on articles from the Scopus database, and although Scopus is a comprehensive source, it likely excludes relevant studies indexed in other databases such as Web of Science or Google Scholar. This limitation is evident in the narrow focus of some studies, which may affect the generalizability of the findings, such as those addressing only large enterprises in manufacturing [36,55] or specific geographic regions in agriculture [27,96]. So, our future research should include a broader range of sources and focus on long-term sustainable competitiveness outcomes, including the impact of technological innovations on innovation equity and the development of comprehensive sustainability frameworks. Also, advanced technologies should be explored in different regions with a special focus on analyzing their potential to stimulate sustainable competitive advantage.

By systematically linking technological innovations with sustainable competitiveness, this paper contributes to enriching the academic knowledge base. Also, it helps offer actionable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers. The findings stress that advanced technologies should be viewed not only as tools for economic gain but also as integral elements for reaching long-term sustainable competitiveness. Embracing these innovations will be key for stakeholders seeking to speed up the shift to a more sustainable and competitive future.