Abstract

This study explores the pivotal role digital technologies play in fostering sustainable practices within business-to-business (B2B) relationships, addressing a significant gap in existing research. As pressures on businesses to adopt sustainable practices increase, digital technologies such as big data analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) are emerging as key enablers of sustainable business practices in B2B sectors. This review is organized into sections that explore the theoretical foundations of sustainability and digital technologies, their implementation in various B2B settings, the significance of digital platforms and ecosystems, as well as barriers associated with their adoption. Findings reveal that digital technologies hold tremendous promise for improving efficiency, transparency, and collaboration across many areas, such as supply chain management, manufacturing, and energy management, thereby contributing to environmental, social, and economic sustainability goals. However, challenges related to infrastructure, talent resources, data privacy, and security may impede the implementation of digital technologies in B2B environments. This review presents future research directions and opportunities, such as creating models and frameworks integrating various digital technologies, identifying best practices for implementation and scaling, investigating stakeholder collaboration models, and assessing the long-term impacts of digital technology adoption on B2B sustainability performance. By offering an in-depth examination of the current research status and suggesting avenues for further exploration, this review provides valuable insights for businesses, policymakers, and researchers aiming to utilize digital technologies for sustainability improvement in B2B sectors.