Digital Platforms for Sustainability Reporting: A Review of Bridging Business Ethics and Economic Transformation
Downloads
This review delves into how digital platforms are shaping sustainability reporting frameworks on the verge of business ethics and economic transformation. A systematic analysis of literature and industry practices examines how sustainability reporting platforms have evolved, their implementation challenges, and the organizational impact arising from them. The findings reveal that digital platforms increase reporting accuracy, data transparency, and ethical business conduct through automated gathering, advanced analytics, and improved engagement with stakeholders, cutting reporting time almost by 60%. Limitations include high initial costs, technical complexity, and standardization problems to a large extent affecting smaller organizations and developing economies. This study presents a complete framework for appreciation of digital technologies in sustainability reporting and practical recommendations for going digital. Its novelty stems from dealing with how digital platforms meet technical demands while advancing ethical business transformation in emerging economies, yielding practical insights for organizations, policy-makers, and technology providers to support organizations in advancing sustainable business practice via digital transformation.
Adelakun, B. O., Antwi, B. O., Ntiakoh, A., & Eziefule, A. O. (2024). Leveraging AI for sustainable accounting: Developing models for environmental impact assessment and reporting. Finance & Accounting Research Journal, 6(6), 1017–1048. https://doi.org/10.51594/farj.v6i6.1234
Adeleke, A. G., Sanyaolu, T. O., Efunniyi, C. P., Akwawa, L. A., & Azubuko, C. F. (2024). API integration in FinTech: Challenges and best practices. Finance & Accounting Research Journal, 6(8), 1531–1554. https://doi.org/10.51594/farj.v6i8.1506
Alnaimat, F., Al-Halaseh, S., & AlSamhori, A. R. F. (2024). Evolution of Research Reporting Standards: Adapting to the Influence of Artificial Intelligence, Statistics Software, and Writing Tools. Journal of Korean Medical Science, 39(32). https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e231
Appiah‐Kubi, E., Dura, C. C., Niță, D., Drigă, I., Preda, A., & Baltador, L. A. (2024). The effect of digitalization on sustainability reporting: The role of sustainability competence, green knowledge integration, and stakeholder pressure. Business Strategy and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.4024
Aydogan, E., & Kara, E. (2023). The Analysis of The Dynamic Relationship between Corporate Sustainability and Financial Performance. Business and Economics Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.20409/berj.2023.407
Balcıoğlu, Y. S., Çelik, A. A., & Altındağ, E. (2024). Artificial Intelligence Integration in Sustainable Business Practices: A Text Mining Analysis of USA Firms. Sustainability, 16(15), 6334. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156334
Binaluyo, J. P. (2024). Exploring the challenges and opportunities for sustainability reporting adoption among small and medium enterprises: A case in a developing country in Asia. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(13), 8736.
https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd8736
Blizkiy, R. S., Budaeva, Yu. Z., Dolgushkina, V. A., & Gulua, S. V. (2023). Technologies and trends of accounting, reporting and control in the conditions of development of the digital environment of public administration. Buhuchet v Zdravoohranenii (Accounting in Healthcare), 4, 5–17. https://doi.org/10.33920/med-17-2304-01
Böttcher, T. P., Empelmann, S., Weking, J., Hein, A., & Krcmar, H. (2024). Digital sustainable business models: Using digital technology to integrate ecological sustainability into the core of business models. Information Systems Journal, 34(3), 736–761. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12436
Breliastiti, R., Setiawan, T., Herninta, T., Vivianty, & Shelvy. (2023). Implementation of Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) Standards in Service Sector Companies. Dinasti International Journal of Economics, Finance & Accounting, 4(5), 648–660. https://doi.org/10.38035/dijefa.v4i5.2074
Calabrese, M., La Sala, A., Fuller, R. P., & Laudando, A. (2021). Digital Platform Ecosystems for Sustainable Innovation: Toward a New Meta-Organizational Model? Administrative Sciences, 11(4), 119. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11040119
Capatina, S., & Busmachiu, E. (2024). Trends in ESG Performance Reporting (Environment Social and Governance) in Enterprise. Journal of Research on Trade, Management and Economic Development, 1(21), 78–93. https://doi.org/10.59642/JRTMED.1.2024.06
Chu, W., Vicidomini, M., Calise, F., Duić, N., Østergaard, P. A., Wang, Q., & da Graça Carvalho, M. (2022). Recent Advances in Technologies, Methods, and Economic Analysis for Sustainable Development of Energy, Water, and Environment Systems. Energies, 15(19), 7129. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15197129
Clarke, B., Alley, L. J., Ghai, S., Flake, J. K., Rohrer, J. M., Simmons, J. P., Schiavone, S. R., & Vazire, S. (2024). Looking our limitations in the eye: A call for more thorough and honest reporting of study limitations. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 18(7). https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12979
Villares, L. C. (2022). Environmental Management and Data for the SDGs. In IoT Applications Computing. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97685
Dakshayini, M., Sushma, H. P., & Spoorthi, S. (2024). Blockchain Based Traceability System for Food Safety. 2024 International Conference on Emerging Technologies in Computer Science for Interdisciplinary Applications (ICETCS), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICETCS61022.2024.10543664
De Silva, P., Gunarathne, N., & Kumar, S. (2024). Exploring the impact of digital knowledge, integration and performance on sustainable accounting, reporting and assurance. Meditari Accountancy Research. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEDAR-02-2024-2383
Duvvur, V. (2024). Legacy Systems in the Age of Innovation: Strategies for Seamless Modernization. Journal of Artificial Intelligence & Cloud Computing, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.47363/JAICC/2024(3)E197
Epstein, M. J., Elkington, J., & Leonard, H. B. “Dutch.” (2018). Making Sustainability Work. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351280129
Galeotti, M., Lombardi, R., Paoloni, P., & Roberto, F. (2022). Big data and sustainability reports: The current approach to non-accounting data management. MANAGEMENT CONTROL, 2, 95–116. https://doi.org/10.3280/MACO2022-002-S1005
Gasparyan, V. (2024). The Evolution Of Standardization Of Sustainable Development Reporting. Economics, Finance and Accounting, 1(13), 65. https://doi.org/10.59503/29538009-2024.1.13-65
Gregori, P., & Holzmann, P. (2020). Digital sustainable entrepreneurship: A business model perspective on embedding digital technologies for social and environmental value creation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 272, 122817.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122817
Grover, V., Chiang, R. H. L., Liang, T.-P., & Zhang, D. (2018). Creating Strategic Business Value from Big Data Analytics: A Research Framework. Journal of Management Information Systems, 35(2), 388–423. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2018.1451951
Gudmundsdottir, S., & Sigurjonsson, T. O. (2024). A Need for Standardized Approaches to Manage Sustainability Strategically. Sustainability, 16(6), 2319. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062319
Hadizadeh, M., Ghaffari Feyzabadi, J., Fardi, Z., Mortazavi, S. M., Braga, V., & Salamzadeh, A. (2024). Digital Platforms as a Fertile Ground for the Economic Sustainability of Startups: Assaying Scenarios, Actions, Plans, and Players. Sustainability, 16(16), 7139. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16167139
Hasanah, R., Utari, Y. D., Nurfitri, & Desvianti, D. (2024). The Influence of Legal Aspects and Business Ethics on Business Sustainability in the Digital Era. Demagogi: Journal of Social Sciences, Economics and Education, 2(3), 95–110. https://doi.org/10.61166/demagogi.v2i3.33
Ige, A. B., Kupa, E., & Ilori, O. (2024). Best practices in cybersecurity for green building management systems: Protecting sustainable infrastructure from cyber threats. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 12(1), 2960–2977. https://doi.org/10.30574/ijsra.2024.12.1.1185
Irianto, O., & Adiatma, T. (2023). Financial Sustainability Publication Trend: A Bibliometric Study. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 12(5), 132. https://doi.org/10.36941/ajis-2023-0132
Jiddan, M., & Hapsari, D. W. (2023). Investigating the Role of Green Accounting, Firm Size, and Board Size in Corporate Social Responsibility: Towards Sustainable Transparency Disclosure. Indonesian Journal of Economics and Management, 3(3), 592–602. https://doi.org/10.35313/ijem.v3i3.4990
Kakogiannis, N. C. (2024). Barriers and limitations to effective measurement of business sustainability. In The Elgar Companion to Energy and Sustainability (pp. 39–56). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035307494.00009
Khuan, H., Bakri, A. A., & Lusianawati, H. (2023). Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility in Digital Platform Companies. West Science Journal Economic and Entrepreneurship, 1(03), 134–143. https://doi.org/10.58812/wsjee.v1i03.152
Kindratska, L. (2024). Sustainability reporting by public sector entities. Fìnansi Ukraïni, 2024(6), 108–121. https://doi.org/10.33763/finukr2024.06.108
Kintz, M., Kochanowski, M., & Koetter, F. (2017). Creating User-specific Business Process Monitoring Dashboards with a Model-driven Approach. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Model-Driven Engineering and Software Development, 353–361. https://doi.org/10.5220/0006135203530361
Kotak, D., Marjama, J., Flagg, M., Sanchez, J., Swanson, A., Adams, L., McCray, D., Benson, K., & Kolevska, T. (2023). Benefits of a novel automated digital platform to support cancer survivorship. JCO Oncology Practice, 19(11_suppl), 482–482. https://doi.org/10.1200/OP.2023.19.11_suppl.482
Kumar, K. M., & Krshunan, K. (2024). Organizational Sustainability Practices, Employee Engagement and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: An Employees’ Perspective on their Working Firm. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(11).
https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v14-i11/23467
Lagodiyenko, O. (2024). Using Digital Platforms for Reporting in The Implementation And Evaluation of ESG Strategies. Economic Scope, 192, 63–67. https://doi.org/10.30838/EP.192.63-67
Li, N., Kim, M., Dai, J., & Vasarhelyi, M. A. (2024). Using Artificial Intelligence in ESG Assurance. Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting, 21(2), 83–99. https://doi.org/10.2308/JETA-2022-054
Maratis, J., Ramadan, A., Rahmania Az Zahra, A., Ahsanitaqwim, R., & Bennet, D. (2024). Navigating the Challenges of Digital Transformation in Traditional Organization. APTISI Transactions on Management (ATM), 8(3). https://doi.org/10.33050/atm.v8i3.2349
Margaria, T., Chaudhary, H. A. A., Guevara, I., Ryan, S., & Schieweck, A. (2021). The Interoperability Challenge: Building a Model-Driven Digital Thread Platform for CPS (pp. 393–413). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89159-6_25
Monk, A., Prins, M., & Rook, D. (2020). Data defense in sustainable investing. In Sustainable Investing Sustainable Investing A Path to a New Horizon (pp. 263–284). Routledge.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429351044-14
Munaf, M. (2023). A Theoretical Perspective On How Digitalization Has Evolved Organizational Culture. International Journal of Empirical Research Methods, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.59762/ijerm205275791120231005143839
Mynhardt, H., Makarenko, I., & Plastun, A. (2017). Standardization of sustainability reporting: rationale for better investment decision-making. Public and Municipal Finance, 6(2), 7–15. https://doi.org/10.21511/pmf.06(2).2017.01
Neacșu, M., & Georgescu, I. E. (2023). Financial Performance - Organizational Sustainability Relationship. Literature Review. Scientific Annals of Economics and Business, 70(SI), 99–120. https://doi.org/10.47743/saeb-2023-0016
North, G. (2017). Corporate Sustainability Practices and Regulation: Existing Frameworks and Best Practice Proposals. In Corporate Governance Codes for the 21st Century (pp. 145–167). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51868-8_7
Paridhi, & Ritika. (2024). Sustainability reporting for boosting national commitment and overcoming challenges: A hierarchical model. Business Strategy & Development, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.334
Petcu, M. A., Sobolevschi-David, M.-I., & Curea, S. C. (2024). Integrating Digital Technologies in Sustainability Accounting and Reporting: Perceptions of Professional Cloud Computing Users. Electronics, 13(14), 2684.
https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13142684
Phaphoom, N., Wang, X., Samuel, S., Helmer, S., & Abrahamsson, P. (2015). A survey study on major technical barriers affecting the decision to adopt cloud services. Journal of Systems and Software, 103, 167–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2015.02.002
Popescu, C. R. Gh., & Popescu, G. N. (2024). The Power of Data Analysis in Transforming Businesses Performance (pp. 169–208).
https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-6298-3.ch008
Pucci, S., & Venuti, M. (2024). Connectivity and annual report: A model of analysis. Corporate Governance: Research and Advanced Practices, 122–124. https://doi.org/10.22495/cgrapp21
Puspanegara, A., & Widodo, H. (2024). Revolutionizing Environmental Accountability through Corporate Practices. Indonesian Journal of Law and Economics Review, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.21070/ijler.v19i3.1144
Pysarevska, H., Kutsenko, T., & Martovitskiy, A. (2023). Digital platforms in the economy: current trends and directions of development. Ukrainian Journal of Applied Economics and Technology, 8(4), 174–178. https://doi.org/10.36887/2415-8453-2023-4-27
Rane, N., Choudhary, S., & Rane, J. (2024). Artificial Intelligence Enhanced Environmental, Social, and Governance (Esg) Strategies for Financial Services and Investment Sectors. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4842635
Ratten, V. (2023). Digital platforms and transformational entrepreneurship during the COVID-19 crisis. International Journal of Information Management, 72.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2022.102534
Singasani, T. R. (2020). Leveraging PEGA and MuleSoft for Seamless API Integration: A Comprehensive Framework. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 9(6), 1955–1957. https://doi.org/10.21275/SR210602113108
Ronoh, H., Omieno, K., & Mutua, S. (2018). An Interoperability Framework for E-Government Heterogeneous Information Systems. IJARCCE, 7(10), 115–126. https://doi.org/10.17148/IJARCCE.2018.71025
Rusu, T. M., Odagiu, A., Pop, H., & Paulette, L. (2024). Sustainability Performance Reporting. Sustainability, 16(19), 8538. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198538
Salamzadeh, A., Hadizadeh, M., Feyzabadi, J. G., Yasin, N., & Paramba, J. N. (2024). The Role of Digital Platforms in Transforming Corporate Governance (pp. 111–136). https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-6750-6.ch006
Sarajoti, P., Chatjuthamard, P., Papangkorn, S., & Phiromswad, P. (2023). CSR Reporting and Blockchain Technology. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.105512
Sargsyan, G. (2024). Cybersecurity as a Backbone for Sustainability. 2024 IEEE International Conference on Cyber Security and Resilience (CSR), 526–530. https://doi.org/10.1109/CSR61664.2024.10679426
Sari, R., & Muslim, M. (2024). Corporate Transparency and Environmental Reporting: Trends and Benefits. Amkop Management Accounting Review (AMAR), 4(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.37531/amar.v4i1.1448
Sharma, R., & Goel, S. (2024). Opportunities and Challenges for Better Sustainability Reporting. In Sustainability Reporting and Blockchain Technology (pp. 106–118). Routledge.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003378341-9
Shvorak, L., & Humeniuk, Y. (2024). Digital Platforms As A Condition For Increasing Innovation And Competitiveness Of Small And Medium Enterprises In The EU. Economic Scope, 194, 36–42. https://doi.org/10.30838/EP.194.36-42
Skuczyński, P. (2022). Ethics in digital finance: towards a new paradigm of self-regulation. In Digital Finance and the Future of the Global Financial System (pp. 145–160). Routledge.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003264101-12
Solin, I. K., Mahyuni, L. P., Maradona, A. F., & Darma, G. S. (2023). Integrated sustainable management system: Drivers, strategy, structure, and evaluation. Sustinere: Journal of Environment and Sustainability, 7(2), 147–160.
https://doi.org/10.22515/sustinere.jes.v7i2.310
Soraya, B., Nurrochmah, A., & Hwihanus, H. (2024). Business Transformation Towards Sustainability: The Role of Green Accounting in Sustainability Management. Journal of Environmental Economics and Sustainability, 1(3), 1–8.
https://doi.org/10.47134/jees.v1i3.342
Timotheou, S., Miliou, O., Dimitriadis, Y., Sobrino, S. V., Giannoutsou, N., Cachia, R., Monés, A. M., & Ioannou, A. (2023). Impacts of digital technologies on education and factors influencing schools’ digital capacity and transformation: A literature review. Education and Information Technologies, 28(6), 6695–6726. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11431-8
Vanleer, M., Jain, R., & Squires, A. F. (2016). A systems approach to creating a sustainability performance benchmarking and reporting framework. International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking, 6(2), 190.
https://doi.org/10.1504/IJPMB.2016.075605
Vazquez-Ingelmo, A., Garcia-Penalvo, F. J., & Theron, R. (2019). Information Dashboards and Tailoring Capabilities - A Systematic Literature Review. IEEE Access, 7, 109673–109688.
https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2933472
Vinothkumar, Dr. B., & Lawrance, Dr. R. (2024). AI And Sustainable Finance. In Futuristic Trends in Artificial Intelligence Volume 3 Book 2 (pp. 80–90). Iterative International Publishers, Selfypage Developers Pvt Ltd.
https://doi.org/10.58532/V3BDAI2P2CH2
Wang, M., Yuan, R., Guan, X., Wang, Z., Zeng, Y., & Liu, T. (2024). The influence of digital platform on the implementation of corporate social responsibility: from the perspective of environmental science development to explore its potential role in public health. Frontiers in Public Health, 12.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1343546
Yuzgenc, I. U., & Aydemir, E. (2023). Sustainable ERP Systems: A Green Perspective. International Conference on Pioneer and Innovative Studies, 1, 533–538. https://doi.org/10.59287/icpis.886
Zampone, G., & Guidi, M. (2024). Sustainability reporting and assurance practices contribution to SDG disclosure: evidence from communication on progress (CoP). Meditari Accountancy Research, 32(7), 236–265. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEDAR-09-2023-2165
Zhou, Y., Cao, Y., & Perzylo, A. (2024). Towards Digital Sustainability Reporting: An Ontology for Mapping of Indicators in GRI and ESRS. https://doi.org/10.3233/SSW240016

