A Call to Action: Embedding Sustainability into the DNA of IS Research

The world wrestles with pressing environmental and social challenges as humanity constantly surpasses absolute planetary boundaries (Richardson et al., 2023). The emerging field of Digital Sustainability (Kotlarsky et al., 2023) examines the adoption and use of digital technologies to establish sustainable actions at individual, organizational, societal, and global levels. Emerging concepts, like the circular economy (CE), operationalize sustainability with the potential to reshape industries. This includes information systems that lower virgin resource consumption, ensure social inclusion, improve well-being, and foster sustainable economic growth. We call on IS scholars to develop CE frameworks, methodologies, and models that address the pressing need for digitally sustainable solutions. This TREO Talk paper aims to spark a conversation that positions digital sustainability and circular economy at the forefront of IS research, encouraging the IS community to explore how technology could drive systemic change toward a more sustainable and circular future. In doing so, we aim to challenge the IS community to rethink the role of digital technologies in addressing sustainability challenges and to lead the charge in transforming the future of business, society, and the environment. In particular, we call on the editors of the premier IS journals to enhance sustainability literacy. We argue that integrating digital technologies with the CE could foster more resilient, resourceefficient information systems. Sustainability must be embedded into the DNA of our information systems research so we understand the long-term impacts, leverage digital technologies, and develop practical solutions for sustainability across all environmental, social, and economic aspects.