Sustainability 4.0: Evaluating the holistic impact of Industry 4.0 Technologies on ESG Pillars from a Corporate Perspective

The integration of Industry 4.0 into corporate strategy is reshaping business operations, governance models, and sustainability practices. As companies face increasing pressure to align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, emerging digital technologies are playing a crucial role in transforming corporate sustainability efforts. While existing research has explored the impact of technological advancements on sustainability, studies often focus on isolated aspects, lacking a comprehensive and structured perspective that captures their full potential across all three ESG dimensions. This thesis addresses this gap by providing an integrated framework that examines the interconnections between digital transformation and corporate sustainability strategies. To achieve this goal, a novel framework is developed by synthesizing key existing classifications of corporate ESG activities and industry taxonomies related to digital transformation. The research systematically maps the intersection of these concepts through an AI-driven keyword analysis, identifying relevant peer-reviewed studies. This is followed by a systematic literature review, examining the primary pathways through which Industry 4.0 contributes to corporate sustainability, considering environmental, social and governance factors. The outcome is a comprehensive analytical framework that delineates the mechanisms through which businesses can integrate technological innovation into sustainability strategies, providing a strategic foundation to align technological innovation with long-term sustainability objectives.