Digitalization and Sustainability in Strategic Management: Research Agenda toward Dual Transformation

Digitalization and sustainability are central fields of action for maintaining and increasing economical, ecological and societal wellbeing. Digital transformation is already firmly anchored in the strategic orientation of many industrial companies, and at the same time we are on the threshold of a sustainability transformation. For sustainable business success, these two transformation processes must be considered integratively in the sense of a dual transformation. However, synergistically linking these processes requires substantial resources and know-how, which medium-sized companies in particular often cannot bear alone. Here, the transfer from application-oriented research can make valuable contributions. Based on the Design Science Research methodology we therefore conducted interviews and analyzed current literature from the areas of digitalization and sustainability in strategic management to define a research agenda. The research agenda provides nine dualities to be overcome along the three levels of management (normative, strategic and operative). The results aim to support medium-sized compannies in the industrial sector in tackling the dual transformation escpecially focusing on ecological sustainability.