Exploring the linkage between digital transformation, green innovation, and carbon neutrality: Implications for business sustainability

Abstract

Achieving business sustainability progressively depends on alignment of digital transformation, green innovation and carbon neutrality initiatives. This study aims to identify and prioritize the key factors to achieve green innovation and carbon neutrality. Based on the Technology–Organization–Environ ment (TOE) framework, the Grey Ordinal Priority Approach (G-OPA) is applied to evaluate the rela tive importance of factors under uncertainty using insights from 14 industry experts. The results high light 16 critical factors, with “Digital orientation”, “Innovation capability” and “Optimizing energy consumption structure” as three most influential factors that businesses must address to effectively integrate digital transformation strategies with sustainability initiatives. The study contributes a struc tured understanding of how digital transformation drives sustainability and provides practical guidance for managers and policymakers pursuing carbon-neutral strategies.