Cited by 68Sustainability and Innovation in BusinessDigital Economy and TransformationEnvironmental Sustainability in Business

The Role of Digital Technologies in Corporate Sustainability: A Bibliometric Review and Future Research Agenda

Open access
Alshdaifat, Sajead Mowafaq, Aziz, Noor Hidayah Ab, Alhasnawi, Mushtaq Yousif, Alharasis, Esraa Esam, Al Qadi, Fatima, Al Amosh, Hamzeh·2024·Journal of Risk and Financial Management

Abstract

This study aims to analyze trends, pioneers, emerging issues, and potential future research in the field of digital technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, big data, fintech, and digital transformation for corporate sustainability. Using VOSviewer, R-studio, and BiblioMagika, this bibliometric review analyses 1251 articles published between 1995 and 2024 from the Scopus database. It highlights gaps in the knowledge and possible areas for further research in digital technologies and sustainability. Based on the findings, it can be determined that recent scholarly work has focused on topics such as digitalisation and sustainability, AI and sustainable development, blockchain and environmental technology, financial technology and green innovation, and energy policy and carbon emissions. This study is useful in helping emerging scholars identify and understand current trends in digital technologies and sustainability.

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Crossref · 10.3390/jrfm17110509

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  • Governance, accountability, and strategic alignment are central to realizing long-term value from AI adoption.

    “Bibliometric evidence on digital technologies and corporate sustainability further indicates that governance, accountability, and strategic alignment are central to realizing long-term value from AI adoption (Alshdaifat et al. 2024).”

    From AI-driven financial fraud detection in Pakistan’s banking sector: bridging strategic intent and operational implementation (2026) · cites this paper as Alshdaifat et al. 2024

    The Introduction links AI to sustainability and social and environmental governance. Section 3.7 treats accountability as important to sustainable blockchain practices, while the Conclusions recommend strategic partnerships and policy frameworks for digital technologies. The paper does not establish that governance, accountability, and strategic alignment together are central to long-term value from AI adoption; in particular, its accountability finding concerns blockchain, not AI. (LLM, conf=0.83)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Recent bibliometric analyses have found increasing overlap between AI, corporate social responsibility (ESG), and governance accountability.

    “A number of recent bibliometric analysis have found that there is increasing overlap between AI, corporate social responsibility (ESG) and governance accountability (Alhasnawi et al. 2024; Alshdaifat et al. 2024).”

    From AI-driven financial fraud detection in Pakistan’s banking sector: bridging strategic intent and operational implementation (2026) · cites this paper as Alshdaifat et al. 2024

    The Introduction links AI with sustainability and social and environmental governance, while §3.2 reports growing publication activity concerning AI and sustainability (page numbers unavailable in our copy). The paper does not establish an increasing overlap specifically among AI, corporate social responsibility/ESG, and governance accountability. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Barriers to implementing an AI-based system for fraud detection include ethical and legal issues in addition to technical ones.

    “The barriers to implementing an AI-based system for fraud detection also include ethical and legal issues in addition to the technical ones.”

    From AI-driven financial fraud detection in Pakistan’s banking sector: bridging strategic intent and operational implementation (2026) · cites this paper as Alshdaifat et al. 2024

    The Introduction discusses AI in sustainability and financial services, while the Conclusions discuss regulations for fair use of digital technology. Neither addresses barriers to implementing AI-based fraud detection; searches for fraud detection and ethical, legal, and technical barriers found no relevant passage in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)

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Authors
Alshdaifat, S. M., Aziz, N. H. A., Alhasnawi, M. Y., Alharasis, E. E., Al Qadi, F., & Al Amosh, H.
Affiliations
  • Middle East University (JO)
  • Universiti Teknologi MARA (MY)
  • Thi Qar University (IQ)
  • Mutah University (JO)
  • Department of Accounting, School of Business, Al Al-Bayt University, Mafraq 25113, Jordan
  • Department of Financial Intelligence, University of South Africa, Pretoria 0003, South Africa
Venue
Journal of Risk and Financial Management
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2024-11-14
Volume
17
Issue
11
Pages
509
ISSN
  • 1911-8066 (ISSN-L)
  • 1911-8074
OpenAlex
W4404376050
Cited by
68
References
90
Citations by year
2026: 29 · 2025: 39
FWCI
29.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of risk and financial management (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management of Technology and Innovation › Sustainability and Innovation in Business
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Digital Economy and Transformation
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Marketing › Environmental Sustainability in Business
Keywords
digital technologies, corporate sustainability, blockchain, artificial intelligence, big data, fintech, digital transformation, green innovation, environmental technology, energy policy, CO2 emissions, sustainable development

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