Does digitalisation enable small and medium-sized enterprises to become more sustainable?

Abstract

Environmental sustainability is currently of paramount importance worldwide. In this context, digitalisation has emerged as a transformative force in the business world, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to adapt to sustainability and digitalisation without neglecting performance. The objective of the study is to establish the connection between the positive financial outcomes resulting from digital capabilities and the ability of SMEs to become environmentally sustainable. Additionally, a theoretical framework has been developed to explain the results from the analysis of a reflexive structural equation model using data collected from 975 Spanish SMEs. The results indicate that investing in digitalisation allows companies to become more environmentally responsible and achieve qualitative growth in terms of reputation. Furthermore, digitalisation promotes quantitative growth through improved efficiency, cost savings, enhanced product quality and increased customer satisfaction. Lastly, the study model demonstrates that profitable companies are more likely to be sustainable.