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Enterprise Digital Development and Sustainable Business Systems

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2025 | Viewed by 1189

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
The Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies (GOVCOPP), Universidade Europeia, 1200-649 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: sustainability; data science; digital transformation; competitive strategy; competitive dynamics; strategic groups; marketing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In today’s fast-moving and globally connected world, Enterprise Digital Development and Sustainable Business Systems are vital to driving both business and sustainability. The intersection between these two areas plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable development and shaping the future of business sustainability. We are pleased to present the Special Edition, Enterprise Digital Development and Sustainable Business Systems, where we aim to explore these critical topics in greater depth, uncovering their potential to create lasting value for businesses and society. With this vision, we invite you to contribute your research to this Special Edition, helping to advance the scientific discourse and push the boundaries of knowledge.

In the current business landscape, the convergence of technology and sustainability is essential for long-term success. Enterprise Digital Development (EDD) integrates digital technologies to boost operational efficiency, drive innovation, and enhance customer experiences. When combined with Sustainable Business Systems (SBSs)—which emphasize ethical practices, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility—businesses gain a competitive advantage while contributing positively to society and the environment.

Digital development is transforming traditional business models with technologies like AI, IoT, big data analytics, and cloud computing. These tools help companies automate processes, improve decision-making, and scale operations efficiently. Simultaneously, Sustainable Business Systems focus on reducing environmental impact through practices like lowering carbon emissions, managing waste, and utilizing renewable resources.

The synergy between digital development and sustainability is a powerful force for innovation. For example, IoT-powered smart grids optimize energy use, and AI-driven analytics help to reduce carbon footprints in real-time. Although challenges such as cybersecurity risks, data privacy, and upfront investment exist, the long-term rewards—improved brand reputation, customer loyalty, and regulatory compliance—are substantial.

The integration of Enterprise Digital Development and Sustainable Business Systems is no longer optional but essential for businesses to remain competitive. By embracing both, organizations can create resilient, adaptable, and responsible models that not only enhance profitability but also contribute to a sustainable future for society and the planet.

The purpose of this Special Edition is to collect creative research papers that present original research results or show review articles highlighting recent achievements in Enterprise Digital Development and Sustainable Business Systems.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Albérico Travassos Rosário
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • digital transformation and strategy
  • artificial intelligence (AI)
  • big data analytics
  • digital marketing
  • digital customer experience
  • environmental stewardship
  • circular economy
  • green technology
  • environmental, social, and governance (ESG)
  • carbon footprint
  • sustainable innovation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 495 KiB  
Article
Sustainability Uncertainty and Digital Transformation: Evidence from Corporate ESG Rating Divergence in China
by Xiaoya Chen, Yue Song, Xueqin Hu and Guangfan Sun
Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6515; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146515 - 16 Jul 2025
Viewed by 234
Abstract
ESG serves as a key metric for measuring corporate sustainability, but divergence among rating agencies has led to uncertainty in such an assessment. This investigation identifies ESG rating divergence as a critical catalyst for corporate digital transformation, establishing empirical analysis through a robust [...] Read more.
ESG serves as a key metric for measuring corporate sustainability, but divergence among rating agencies has led to uncertainty in such an assessment. This investigation identifies ESG rating divergence as a critical catalyst for corporate digital transformation, establishing empirical analysis through a robust positive correlation between the heterogeneity in sustainability assessments and organizational digitalization intensity. Comprehensive robustness examinations and endogeneity controls substantiate the persistent significance of this relationship. Mechanistically, such divergence drives technological adaptation by restructuring the R&D team composition and elevating capital allocation toward innovative initiatives. Contextual heterogeneity manifests through amplified effects in firms with elevated analyst scrutiny and stringent internal governance, whereas pollution-intensive enterprises exhibit significant effect suppression. These findings collectively advance theoretical frameworks concerning ESG evaluation economics and digital transformation drivers, while furnishing actionable implementation blueprints for corporate digitization strategists. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enterprise Digital Development and Sustainable Business Systems)
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34 pages, 3501 KiB  
Systematic Review
How Digital Development Leverages Sustainable Development
by Albérico Travassos Rosário, Paula Rosa Lopes and Filipe Sales Rosário
Sustainability 2025, 17(13), 6055; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17136055 - 2 Jul 2025
Viewed by 328
Abstract
This academic article seeks to clarify the state of the literature on a very pertinent topic that is based on how digital innovation, considering emerging technologies and how they could be used in business management and marketing, could increase sustainable development. The sustainable [...] Read more.
This academic article seeks to clarify the state of the literature on a very pertinent topic that is based on how digital innovation, considering emerging technologies and how they could be used in business management and marketing, could increase sustainable development. The sustainable economy, which should maintain long-term development through efficient resource management, has as allies emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things that can help reduce waste, reduce the carbon footprint, and automate tasks. Additionally, they could present themselves as a solution to improve aspects of digital communication between companies and their consumers in remote training, distribution chain, e-commerce, and process optimization in different sectors of activity. These advances will, on the one hand, allow the possibility of conducting a greater amount of professional training, increasing the number of qualified professionals and, on the other hand, facilitate trade exchanges, promoting the economy. Based on a systematic bibliometric review of the literature using the PRISMA framework, this study investigates how digital tools catalyze transformative changes in different sectors of activity. The results indicate that, overall, the academic articles analyzed in this literature review present studies focused on digitalization and sustainability (approximately 50%). In second place are topics related to digitalization and other topics such as: smart cities; Sustainable Development Goals; academia; the digital economy; government policies; academic education; and sustainable communication (29%). Finally, in third place, there are academic articles closely linked to digitalization and the environment, more specifically to sustainable practices and the management of natural resources (21%). The article concludes that digital development, when used wisely, serves as a crucial lever to address the world’s most pressing sustainability imperatives. Future research should emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration and adaptive governance to ensure that these digital changes produce lasting impacts for people and the planet. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enterprise Digital Development and Sustainable Business Systems)
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