Innovation can facilitate the sustainable re-engineering of companies as well as improve their efficiency in the use of natural and energy resources; this is one of the findings that Gema García Piqueres, Associate Professor, Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Business, at the University of Cantabria has found most interesting from her research. Gema is a track chair at the R&D Management Conference 2024.
She comments: “The interlinkage between innovation, sustainability and digitalization has been analysed from different perspectives to create a better understanding of how firms and industries can transition to a more environmentally friendly paradigm. An interesting outcome is that the drive to reducing environmental impacts and waste is also creating an environment that fosters innovation.”
Becoming digitally orientated is key to success of IR4.0
She has observed that this is particularly apparent in digitally orientated companies: “Both digitalization and innovation emerge as key if firms and industries are to reach the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG’s, 7,12,13) for ‘Affordable and Clean Energy’, ‘Responsible Consumption and Production’ and ‘Urgent Action to Combat Climate Change and its Impacts’.
“This suggests that the Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) will require the adoption of digital technologies that combine information and communication technologies (ICTs), like big data, Artificial Intelligence (IA), machine learning, cloud technologies and green technologies. And that by becoming digitally-orientated, firms are able to acquire and develop key skills and capacities that contribute to the development of innovations.
“The social dimensions of technology management are becoming more valued, particularly with respect to the incorporation of environmental aims.”
The most disruptive influences impacting developments in your track?
Gema summarises the following as disruptive influences.
- The role of green digitalization in the IR4.0
- The relations between innovation, digitalization and sustainability in facilitating the accelerated transition to IR4.0
- The key role of digital technologies and sustainability as drivers of innovation
- The integration of SDGs on firms’ innovation management and digitalization strategies as the new global paradigm demands
If someone was new to this topic what would you suggest they read to get a quick overview of the issues?
Ardito, L., 2023. The influence of firm digitalization on sustainable innovation performance and the moderating role of corporate sustainability practices: an empirical investigation. Bus. Strat. Environ., 30, 5252-5272. https://doi.org/10.1002/BSE.3415.
Ghobakhloo, M.; Iranmanesh, M.; Grybauskas, A.; Vilkas, M.; Petraitė, M., 2021. Industry 4.0, Innovation, and Sustainable Development: A Systematic Review and a Roadmap to Sustainable Innovation. Bus. Strategy Environ., 30, 4237–4257.
R&D Management Conference 2024: Transforming industries through technology
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, 17-19 June 2024
Track chair: Gema García Piqueres, University of Cantabria
