The impact of “digital” when adopting a sustainable strategy

Abstract

This research will give organizations an overview of do’s and don’ts when planning to adopt a sustainable strategy empowered by digital solutions and a digital strategy by answering the research question “ how digital solutions and a digital strategy impact the adoption of a sustainable strategy”. The data collection is based on reviewing existing academic literature regarding digital solutions, digital strategies, sustainability, and sustainable strategies. Sources are analyzed to find a valid explanation of the relationship between digital solutions, a digital strategy, and adopting a sustainable strategy by identifying patterns. The discovered patterns were: organizational changes caused by adopting a new strategy, the importance of communication internally and externally when adopting a sustainable strategy, understanding the value chain and business model, the definition of “digital” and “sustainability”. “Digital” and “Sustainability” related terms can be interpreted in several different ways and the use of these words can vary depending on the situation and context, which made the analysis of the research material challenging. Based on my findings a transformation of any sort is all about change, and change is all about people. When adopting a sustainable strategy, employees are on a journey, adapting the way they work and attitudes towards sustainability. I have discovered organizational elements affected by a digital strategy and digital solutions regarding people, communication, organizational structure, and development. Organizations need to see interdependencies between a digital strategy and a sustainable strategy, to have a successful adoption of a sustainable strategy. To gain an advantage of a digital strategy and digital solutions when adopting a sustainable strategy, it is critical to realize that sustainability is something new and requires a new way of thinking.