Digital green synergies: linking green cyber-physical systems, green supply chains integration, and green business intelligence to boost SMEs sustainability

This study investigates the synergistic effects of Green Cyber-Physical Systems (GCPS), Green Supply Chain Integration (GSCI), and Green Business Intelligence (GBI) on enhancing Sustainable Performance (SP) within Saudi Arabian SMEs across manufacturing, agri-tech, ICT, and logistics sectors. Grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV), Dynamic Capability Theory (DCT), and Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) Framework, the research aims to uncover how advanced technological integration and data-driven decision-making shape sustainability outcomes, with Market Environmental Expectations (MEE) as a moderating factor. Employing a quantitative methodology, data were collected from 400 respondents including supply chain managers, ESG officers, and IT specialists. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via Smart-PLS 4.0 was used for analysis. Results reveal that GCPS significantly influences SP, both directly and indirectly through GSCI and GBI as partial mediators. MEE significantly moderates the relationship between GCPS and SP, while its moderating effect on GCPS–GBI is insignificant. The study’s novelty lies in integrating green digital technologies and intelligence into a unified framework for SME sustainability, contributing to theoretical advancement and practical insights. It recommends SMEs enhance GCPS adoption and environmental responsiveness to improve performance. Future research could apply longitudinal designs and expand to other regional and industry contexts to validate and generalize findings.