Digital technologies and sustainability as evolving business processes – an AI-driven scientific mapping perspective

Purpose

This study aims to systematize research on how digital technologies support sustainability processes at the national level by applying business process management principles. It provides a structured framework for integrating digital technologies to enhance efficiency and scalability of sustainability initiatives and offers a comprehensive scientific map through a process-oriented, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled analysis. The study develops a conceptual model that organizes key themes into enablers, transformations and outcomes, linking them to the triple bottom line, socio-technical systems and institutional theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a dataset of over 8,000 articles from Scopus, the study combines bibliometric techniques with Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic modeling to identify and categorize latent themes within digital sustainability research.

Findings

The analysis uncovered 129 process-related topics with varying levels of research maturity, impact and geographic relevance. Key findings highlight underexplored areas, dominant trends and thematic imbalances across subject domains and regions.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to the Scopus database and relies on metadata accuracy. Nonetheless, it offers a replicable AI-based method for mapping complex and dynamic research domains, supporting future theory development.

Practical implications

The results offer actionable insights for researchers and practitioners aiming to manage, improve or design sustainability-related digital processes. Identified gaps and high-impact themes can inform policy, education and innovation strategies.

Originality/value

This is the first large-scale study to apply topic modeling for mapping the intersection of digitalization and sustainability processes across countries. It advances the BPM literature by revealing new digital process domains relevant to sustainable development.