IMPACTS OF DIGITALIZATION IN INDUSTRY ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

Purpose- The increasing awareness of environmental pollution both in society and in the business world has caused environmental sustainability to be at the top of the agenda of businesses as an important issue. What kind of effects digitalization in industrial enterprises may have on environmental sustainability is an important question brought by increasing digitalization. The current study seeks to answer this question. Methodology- In this conceptual study, the effects of digitalization on environmental sustainability are examined and categorized on the basis of previous studies conducted in the relevant literature. Findings- The positive and negative impacts of digitalization in industry on environmental sustainability can be categorized into three groups, taking into account the impacts caused by the production, use and disposal of digital technologies. Conclusion- It is argued that digitalization in industrial enterprises can have both positive and negative effects on environmental sustainability, and it can be concluded that the impact of digitalization in the industry on the environment depends on the net effect of these positive and negative effects. Keywords: Digitalization, digital technology production, use of digital technologies, disposal of digital technologies, environmental sustainability, industrial enterprises. JEL Codes: M10, O14, Q56