The use of technology by organisations to enhance social and environmental sustainability: framing and research agenda

Purpose This study aims to explore the current state of research into the use of technology by organisations to enhance social and environmental sustainability and develops a research agenda. Design/methodology/approach The authors discuss the types of technology that can be used by organisations to enhance social and environmental sustainability. The authors then introduce and discuss ten papers selected for this special issue, which cover a wide range of social and environmental issues and reflect a variety of different organisational, cultural and economic settings. The authors reflect on these papers in terms of their overall contribution to literature and practice, develop a conceptual framework for how they link to the firm life cycle and develop a research agenda. Findings Three themes emerge which reflect how and why technology is being used within organisations: to improve efficiency and innovation, to improve governance and to improve decision-making. The authors reflect on these themes in the context of recent exponential advances in artificial intelligence and consider and discuss the social and environmental risks posed by such technological advances. Practical implications The authors discuss the practical implications of using technology for enhancing social and environmental sustainability in organisations, providing insights relevant to practitioners and policymakers. Social implications This study’s discussion considers the broader social implications of integrating technology into business practices, highlighting risks and emphasising the need for further research in this area. Originality/value The authors provide an overview of the current research landscape on the use of technology for social and environmental sustainability, categorise and discuss the special issue contributions and propose future research directions. The authors present a new conceptual framework that links the topics addressed in this special issue to the life cycle of the firm.