When digitalization meets sustainability: exploring interactions within a manufacturing firm

Purpose
This study explores if and how manufacturing firms can achieve an effective interaction between digitalization and sustainability (in economic, social and environmental terms). The main aim of the study is to understand the extent and nature of the interaction between digitalization and sustainability processes and how business firms manage this interaction.

Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative, in-depth, single case study approach is adopted, drawing upon the Actors-Resources-Activities (ARA) framework proposed by IMP studies. The case of Beta – a manufacturer in the mechatronic sector – is longitudinally analyzed via data collected from sustainability reports and interviews.

Findings
Beyond unveiling the main challenges and intervening factors to accomplish digital-sustainable interaction, the study highlights the need for firms to strategically plan and integrate digital and sustainable initiatives to foster such symbiotic interaction, emphasizing the role of activities, actors and resources in achieving a cohesive digital-sustainable journey.

Originality/value
The originality of the research relies upon the longitudinal perspective on the interaction between digitalization and sustainability and the adoption of an IMP-based approach referring to the ARA framework, which finally lead to novel contributions in both academic and managerial terms.