The Palgrave Handbook of Corporate Sustainability in the Digital Era

This handbook addresses the intersection between corporate sustainability and digital transformation. It analyzes the challenges and transformations required to be able to have sustainable businesses with a future orientation. Topics include current and potential social, demographic, technological, and managerial trends; the implications of the digital revolution in society and business; as well as the challenges of being sustainable, and profitable. Providing an understanding of the business reasons to incorporate a future orientation into the business strategy, this handbook facilitates an understanding of the need for profound changes in individual behavior, organizational culture, public policy, and business environments to adapt to the accelerated changes and manage business with orientation to the future. Introduction Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures List of Tables Part I: Digital Transformation Chapter 1: The Eco-System of Firm Technology Adoption Introduction Context and Background of Study History of Innovation Studies The Concept of Innovation Diffusion and Adoption of Innovation Adoption Eco-system Developing Country Contexts SMEs in Developing Countries Corporate Sustainability Digitized Environment Methodology Summary of Findings Reflection on F-TAM Employees’ Individual-Level Factors Firm-Level Factors Societal-Level Factors Technology Characteristics Reflection of Relevance and Further Studies Scientific Relevance Industrial Significance Limitations and Future Research References Chapter 2: Algorithms Shaping the Future Introduction Literature Review The Elements Behind the New Digital Economy Big Data, Predictive Analytics, Machine Learning, IoT, and AI Algorithms in the Twenty-First Century: Taking Care of Business Cybernetics: The Human Use of Human Beings Final Thoughts References Chapter 3: Automation Adoption in the Textile Industry of an Emerging Economy Introduction Textile Sector, Context, and Background Automation, Context, and Background Literature Review Methodology Results Discussion Conclusion References Chapter 4: Determinants of the Digital Orientation of Small Businesses Introduction Digital Orientation The Role of Context The Role of Company Conditions Research Model The Empirical Examination of Digital Orientation of Small Businesses Data Collection Measurements Results of the Analyses Conclusions Theoretical Implications Managerial Implications Limitations and Further Research Directions References Chapter 5: Analysis of Business and Sustainability Models of Native Digital Media in Latin America Introduction Business Models, Sustainability, and Digital Journalism Internet Business Models Sustainability of New Media and Innovation Mobile Devices, Social Networks, and Journalism Methodology Literature Contextualization Findings: The Cases of Digital Media in Latin America El Faro (El Salvador): The First Native Digital Media of Latin America La Silla Vacía (Colombia): How Power Operates in the Nation Anfibia (Argentina): Chronicles and Alternative Contents from the South Discussion Conclusions Appendix References Chapter 6: The Internationalization Speed of SMEs and their Long-term Sustainability in Foreign Markets Introduction Theoretical Issues Determinants of Pre- and Post-internationalization Consequences of Pre- and Post-internationalization Speed Internationalization Motives for Emerging Market Firms Method Case Selection Data Collection Data Analyses Description of Audaces Case Internationalization Process: Pre-internationalization Phase Internationalization Process: Post-internationalization Stage Results: Development of Propositions Final Remarks Appendix: Interview Protocol References Chapter 7: Cybersecurity, Personal Data Protection and Crime Prevention from an Italian Perspective Introduction Cyber Events and Cybersecurity: A Descriptive Analysis Cybersecurity Investments: An Economic Analysis The Italian Legal Framework and the Principle of Accountability Using a Possible Connected Cyber and Personal Data Risk Model Current System and Its Reference Context Comparing the Legal Instruments: Differences and Elements in Common—The Principle of Accountability A Possible Connected and Flexible Risk Prevention and Management Model Research Methodology Findings The Regulatory Framework as an Incentive to Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection Investments Discussion and Conclusions References Chapter 8: Mobile Money Systems as Avant-Garde in the Digital Transition of Financial Relations Introduction. Mobile Money: Geographical Distribution and How It Works Economic and Social Impacts of Mobile Money Lessons for Improved Inquiry and Practice Conclusions References Chapter 9: Augmented Reality: The Game Changer of Travel and Tourism Industry in 2025 Introduction Background of Study The Downturn of the Local Tourism Sector Increasing Use of AR Technology in World’s Most Popular Museums Limited Studies on User’s Acceptance of AR Purpose of Study Methodology Findings Discussion Conclusion References Chapter 10: Equality Inclusion and Diversity Through Virtual Reality Introduction Learning in Organizations Diversity Trainings in Organizations Virtual Reality Equality, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) Through VR Significance and Implications of VR Diversity Trainings Conclusion References Chapter 11: Need for Speed: Corporate Political Activity Effect on Celerity of Regulatory Decisions Introduction Context and Background Conceptual Framework Nonmarket Strategies Corporate Political Activity Institutional Environment Discussion and Conclusion Implications for Business Managers Implications for Theory and Scholarship Conclusion References Part II: Economic, Political and Ethical Challenges Chapter 12: Political and Ethical Challenges of 2025: Utopian and Dystopian Views Introduction A Perfect Storm for Corporate Sustainability Key Challenges Hardin’s Lifeboat Ethics Utopian and Dystopian Scenarios A Utopian Scenario A Dystopian Scenario A Median Voter Perspective A Median Voter Model An Immigration Illustration Application to a Proposed Three-Party Interpretation Two Key Corporate Sustainability Issues Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Political Criticism of Capitalism and Wealth Conclusions References Chapter 13: Adapting to Populism’s (Current and Future) Moment: Political Uncertainty and Business Strategy Introduction Background: Populism’s Moment? Defining Populism Populism’s Moment Populism and Business Macroeconomic Policies and Outcomes Political Risk and Uncertainty Value Chains, Sourcing, and Talent Acquisition Conclusions References Chapter 14: Dynamics of Public Interest in Artificial Intelligence: ‘Business Intelligence Culture’ and Global Regulation in the Digital Era Introduction: Digital Transformation and Public Interest Artificial Intelligence Challenges in Digital Era Dynamics of Artificial Intelligence and Regulation: Global and Local Challenges Regulation Theories and Artificial Intelligence: Control and Resistance Public Interest Theory: Digital Challenges in Public Interest Perverted Public Interest Theory: Artificial Intelligence in the Free-Market Economy Conspiracy Theories: Digital Anarchy in Regulation Organizational Theories: Artificial Intelligence and Info-Communication Regulation Capitalist State Theory: Digital Capitalism and Regulation Dynamics of Public Interest in Artificial Intelligence Conclusion: Public Interest in Artificial Intelligence Revolution References Chapter 15: Economy of Attention: Definition and Challenges for the Twenty-First Century Introduction Context and Background The Economy of Attention Economic Oligopoly in a Liberalized Society Concentration of Attention and Concentration of Culture: The Homogenization of Society New Merchandise and New Jobs: New and More Sophisticated Exploitation Forms The Irresponsible Use of Technology Do Macro-Social Changes Affect Corporations as Well? Conclusion: “Oh! I Touched My Phone 5,000 Times Today?” References Chapter 16: Is Stakeholder Capitalism the Answer? From Global Financial Crisis to Unfunded SDGs Introduction Where We Came from: Global Financial Crisis Shaping the Future: Crisis Effects and Structural Trends Direct Effects of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) Indirect Effects Fueled by the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) Digital Revolution Filling the Gaps: Where and How Are We Going Multilateral Sector: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Private Sector: Business Roundtable Private Sector: Sustainable Finance Sharing Economy and the Hidden Power of Many Public Sector: Fiscal Expansion and Taxing Changes Conclusion References Chapter 17: FDI Facilitating Sustainable Development In and Out of an Emerging Market: Is Foreign Participation a Necessary Condition for Emerging Market Firms to Catch Up Globally? Introduction Definitions Literature Review Knowledge Diffusion Channel Theory: The Knowledge Spillover Effect of Inward FDI The Motives of Inward FDI and Knowledge Spillover Technology Leader Effect Local Embeddedness of Foreign Subsidiaries Hypothesis Development Chinese Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries, from 1995 to 2011 OECD Guidelines for MNEs, 2000 and 2011 Methodology Data and Sample Measurement Empirical Model Empirical Evidence and Results Data Trend (Summary Statistics) Results Discussions References Chapter 18: Taming the Dark Side of the New Globalization Introduction Negative Impacts on Individuals and Communities Negative Impacts on Nation-States Responding to the Challenge Constrain Monopoly Power Update Regulatory Regimes More Effective, Accountable Government Education Reform Labor Market Reforms Universal Basic Income International Cooperation Conclusion References Part III: Corporate Sustainability in the Digital Era Chapter 19: Building Skillful Resilience Amid Uncertainty Introduction Disruption in Organizations Resilience in Organizations Learning Toward Organizational Resilience The Skillful Means Approach Toward Skillful Resilience in an Age of Disturbance Skillful Negotiations and Means for Wise Attention Skillful Collaboration, Sustainability, and Recovery Conclusion References Chapter 20: Digitalization, Institutions and the Future of Sustainable Work Introduction Management Consultants, the Future of Work and the Bright Side of Digitalization Digitalization and Skills Digitalization, Autonomy and Remote Working Digitalization and Job Matching Beyond the Management Consultant’s Hype: The Dark Side of Digitalization Digitalization and Joblessness Digitalization, Power and Work Intensification Digitalization, Labour Rights and Precarious Work Sustainable Work: Re-skilling the Workforce and Re-regulating the Labour Market Digitalization and Re-skilling the Workforce Digitalization and Re-regulating the Labour Market Comparative Institutional Theory and the Future of Sustainable Work Towards a Research Agenda for the Future of Sustainable Work References Chapter 21: Digital Capabilities: Bridging the Gap Between Creativity and Performance Introduction Context and Background Literature Review Organizational Creativity Digital Capabilities Research Method Results Discussion Conclusions References Chapter 22: Sustainability in the Banking Industry Through Technological Transformation Introduction Literature Review Technological Factors Bringing Inflection Point in the Financial Industry Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Innovation Artificial Intelligence (AI) Application A New Form of Money Legal and Political Factors Opening the Market for New Technologically Armed Competition Market Entry Barriers Relaxed Regulatory and Compliance Pressure Increased Requiring Risk Management With New Technologies Socio-Economic Factors Expanding the Market for Financial Services Financial Inclusion of Underserved Populations Perception of Trust and Digital Privacy Innovation Driving Efficiency Methodology Resource-Based View of the Future Banking Expected Employment Shits and Substitution in Banking Expected Skyrocketing Spending Patterns on Technology Expected Banking Revenue, Profitability Forecasts, and Financial Inclusion Industry Analysis: The Forecasted Strategic Changes Widening Gap in the Banking Sector A New Business Model for Banks: Challenges of Open Banking or Connected Banking With Strategic Alliances A Platform Virtual Bank Customer-Oriented Focus Risks and Global Issues Institutional Analysis of a New Emerging Market Landscape and Players Incumbent Banks Making Strategic Bets Challenger Banks Not Always Quite New Fintech Firms as Disruptors Bigtech Firms Pioneering Platform Companies Conclusions References Chapter 23: Exploring Effects of Digitalization on Sustainability in the Logistics Service Industry Introduction Background and Literature Review Methodology of the Research Description of the Digitalization Projects Introduction of Digitalization Projects Analyses of the Effects of Digitalization Projects on Economic Sustainability Analyses of the Effects of Digitalization Projects on Environmental Sustainability Analyses of the Effects of Digitalization Projects on Social Sustainability Discussion Conclusions References Chapter 24: Supply Chain Innovation and Sustainability Frontiers: A Balanced Scorecard Perspective Introduction Context and Background What Is Currently Going on About Sustainable Transportation? Literature Review Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Transportation Performance Measurement Systems and Supply Chain Balance Scorecard, Supply Chain Management, and Sustainability Reflections on the Impact of Disruptive Innovation on Organizational Strategy Methodology Four Examples in Supply Chains Disruptive Innovation Example 1: Going Back to the Future to Enhance Transportation Decisions Example 2: Merging Transportation with Manufacturing Example 3: Electrifying Cargo Transport Example 4: Lift Truck Automation Balanced Scorecard (BSC) and Supply Chain Disruptive Innovation Conclusions References Chapter 25: The Future of Sustainability: Value Co-creation Processes in the Circular Economy Introduction Theoretical Background Context Circular Business Models Value Co-creation Processes Circular Co-creation Processes Methodology Single Case Analyses Apepak Rifò Womsh Up2Go Cross-Case Comparison Conclusions References Chapter 26: Digital Technologies and Consumption: How to Shape the Unknown? Introduction and Background Consumer Buying Patterns: Past, Present, and Future Future of Consumption: Role of Digital Technologies Role of Digital Technologies in Consumers’ Wellbeing and Trust Role of Digital Technologies in Environmental Sustainability Conclusion Policy Implications References Chapter 27: A Corporate Social Responsibility View on Digital Disruption in Marketing Introduction CSRE Foundations and Relationship Between Pillars Digital Marketing and CSRE The Digital Marketing Challenges The Quality of New Marketing Personnel Outsourcing of Marketing Services and Increased Rivalry Transition to a New Regulatory Framework and Firm Opportunism The Role of Informal Institutions in Marketing: CSRE Relationship Disruptions in the Digital Marketing Tools Search Engine Optimization and Search Results Search Engine and Display Advertising Content Marketing Social Media Marketing Email Marketing e-Commerce Methodology and Findings Semistructured Interviews Summary of Responses Conclusions and Suggestions for Strategy Management, Investors, and Practitioners References Chapter 28: Trust, Transparency, and Technology: Blockchain and Its Relevance in the Context of the 2030 Agenda Introduction Context and Background Blockchain: The Technology Blockchain and Trust Blockchain and Transparency Blockchain and Business Sustainability Conclusions References Chapter 29: The Rise of Unicorn Companies: A Magical Growth? Introduction Theoretical Background Exponential Growth: a Dynamic Capability Analysis The Unicorns Wave International New Ventures in the Digital Era Research Design and Methods Case Selection Data Sourcing Findings Magical Growth JUUL Labs WeWork Unicorn Myth or Cheshire Cat Theranos Arrivo What Can We Learn from Those Unicorns? Conclusions References Chapter 30: Intellectual Capital Disclosure in the Digital Era: Challenges and Opportunities for MNEs Introduction Importance of Intellectual Capital Reporting Intellectual Capital Disclosure Practices The Impact of Digitalization on Intellectual Capital Disclosure Practices Disclosure of Intellectual Capital Via Social Media Methodology Results Conclusions References Chapter 31: Human Dynamics of Automation and Digitalisation of Economies: Discussion on the Challenges and Opportunities Introduction Current Trends in Automation and Digitalisation of Economies Challenges of Automation and Digitalisation Automation, Digitalisation and the New Opportunities Implications, Limitations and Future Research Directions References Chapter 32: Achieving the Triple Bottom Line Through Big Data Analytics Introduction Understanding Sustainability Through the TBL Profit/Economic Performance and Sustainability Planet/Environmental Performance and Sustainability People/Social Performance and Sustainability Big Data Analytics The Use of BDA for TBL Impact of BDA on Economic Performance Impact of BDA on Environmental Performance Impact of BDA on Social Performance Concluding Remarks References Chapter 33: Digital Transformation and Corporate Sustainability Accounting Introduction Context and Background A Framework for Corporate Sustainability Method and Methodology Data Collection Data Analysis Body of the Chapter Case Study Background Policy Setting Stage Planning Stage Implementation Stage An Overview of the Digital Transformation Process Discussion Conclusions Appendix References Chapter 34: Climate Change Disclosures in Different Cultures: A Study of Sustainability Reports Introduction Climate Change Disclosures Culture and Climate Change Disclosures Method Sample Content Analysis Results Descriptive Statistics Main Results Culture and Climate Change-Related Disclosures Discussion Appendix: Related Sections and Examples of Disclosures on Climate Change References Chapter 35: Storytelling for Human Sensitivity, Compassion and Connection in Corporate Sustainability Introduction: Situating Sensitivity, Compassion and Connection Wisdom as Story Knowledge in Culture, Creativity and Place The Methodological Manuscript Some Data Records of Humanity Sustainability and the Wisdom of Elders Conclusion: Ever After and Furthermore Appendices References Chapter 36: Developing Gender Equality Marketing Beyond 2025: A Systematic Literature Review Introduction Theoretical Background: Pathways from Sustainable Development to Gender Equality Marketing Gender Issues in Marketing Literature Methodology: Systematic Literature Review Results Bibliometric Analysis Categories of the Design-oriented Research Synthesis Context Intervention Mechanism Outcome CIMO Logic and Existing Sustainable Pathways to Gender Equality Marketing Discussion Context Intervention Mechanism Outcome Practical Implications Beyond 2025 Pathway 1 Pathway 2 Pathways 3 and 4 Conclusions References Chapter 37: The Female Way to Happiness at Work: Happiness for Women and Organisations Introduction Women in the Workplaces: Context and Background Happiness at Work in a Female Way Methodology, Data Collection and Variables Happiness for Women: Can Organisations Increase Women’s Happiness in the Workplace? Happiness for Organisations: Can Women Leaders Contribute to the Happiness of Organisations? Discussion and Conclusions References Chapter 38: Assessment of the Level of Sustainable Development Based on Agenda 2030 Introduction Public Management and Its Relationship with Sustainable Development The Models of Public Management and the Relation with the Development Methodology Sustainability Index Based on Un Agenda 2030: A Case Study Conclusion Appendix References Chapter 39: Advancing the Inclusive Agenda for People of Determination in the UAE Through Sustainable Innovations Introduction People of Determination UAE Innovation Context for Inclusion Objectives Literature Review Social Exclusion Economic Exclusion Toward Inclusion Sectoral Approach to Inclusion Inclusive Education Inclusive Healthcare Equal Opportunity Universal Accessibility Advocacy Innovative Public Sector Response to the Inclusive Agenda Methodology Findings/Results Discussion Conclusion Way Forward: Innovation Assessment and Benchmarking Activities for Social Inclusion Appendix References Part IV: Future-oriented Management Education Chapter 40: A Serendipitous Road Map to Educate Cosmopolitan and Sustainable Development-Oriented Managers Introduction Context and Background Literature Review A Humble Methodological Proposal Some Arguments in Favor of Reflexive Education A Call for Cosmopolitanism - Expanding Horizons Reflexivity as a Flexible Quest for Interrogation and Divergence Technology as Meaningful, Applied Knowledge Reflecting on Experience, Deflecting Current Inertias Conclusions References Chapter 41: Promoting Business Sustainability through Experiential Learning: Connecting Multiple Dimensions Introduction Context and Background A Literature Review Methodology Results Conclusions References Correction to: Augmented Reality: The Game Changer of Travel and Tourism Industry in 2025 Index