Entrepreneurship and digitalization can advance SDGs, if institutions keep pace

Digital technologies are reshaping entrepreneurship across industries, but their contribution to global sustainability targets is far from straightforward. A new study investigates how entrepreneurship and digital transformation intersect with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), revealing both opportunities and persistent barriers.

Published in Sustainability, the study “Mapping the Intersection of Entrepreneurship, Digitalization, and the SDGs: A Scopus-Based Literature Review”, the paper provides a systematic review of 22 studies drawn from the Scopus database. The findings point to the critical role of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other digital tools in advancing sustainability, while also exposing gaps in strategy, skills, and institutional support that may hinder progress.

How are researchers studying the digital-SDG connection?

The authors conducted a comprehensive screening of 314 publications, narrowing the sample to 22 empirical studies that directly address the overlap between entrepreneurship, digitalization, and sustainability. The literature spans Europe and Asia primarily, with methodologies ranging from quantitative surveys and modeling to qualitative case studies and mixed-method approaches.

The review sought to answer three central questions: which research methods dominate the field, which digital technologies are most commonly linked to SDGs, and what opportunities and challenges entrepreneurs face when adopting these tools.

Findings indicate that quantitative studies make up around 60 percent of the research, suggesting a preference for statistical and data-driven analysis. Qualitative approaches account for about 25 percent, with the remaining 15 percent relying on mixed methods. This imbalance highlights the need for richer, multi-perspective investigations that can capture both measurable outcomes and contextual dynamics.

Which digital tools are driving change?

The review identifies artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data analytics, cloud computing, enterprise resource planning systems, and digital platforms as the dominant technologies shaping sustainable entrepreneurship. These tools are most often associated with SDGs related to innovation and infrastructure, responsible consumption and production, climate action, decent work, and global partnerships.

Artificial intelligence and big data support predictive modeling and resource optimization, while blockchain enhances transparency in supply chains and financial transactions. Cloud computing and digital platforms provide scalability and access to global markets, creating new opportunities for small and medium enterprises. Enterprise systems improve efficiency and integration across operations.

Yet the impact of these technologies is highly dependent on local context. Institutional capacity, governance structures, and social readiness influence whether digitalization delivers real progress toward sustainability or merely reinforces existing inequalities. The review emphasizes that technology alone does not guarantee inclusive outcomes. Instead, adoption must be strategically aligned with long-term sustainability goals.

What opportunities and barriers do entrepreneurs face?

On the opportunity side, digitalization allows entrepreneurs to improve efficiency, expand into new markets, strengthen stakeholder participation, and monitor environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance more effectively. These benefits position technology as a catalyst for scaling sustainable business models and accelerating progress on global development targets.

However, the review also highlights substantial barriers. Digital inequality remains a major obstacle, as access to advanced tools is uneven across regions and sectors. High upfront costs, incompatible IT systems, and a lack of digital skills make it difficult for many firms, particularly small enterprises and social ventures, to fully leverage technology. Weak institutional support and limited alignment between digital strategies and SDG frameworks further undermine effectiveness.

The evidence base itself is fragmented, with many studies focusing narrowly on specific technologies or isolated aspects of entrepreneurship rather than the broader systemic interaction with sustainability goals. This lack of integration makes it difficult to draw clear conclusions about the overall effectiveness of digital transformation in achieving the SDGs.

Building a path forward

The study calls for coordinated action among policymakers, entrepreneurs, and institutions. For policymakers, aligning national digital strategies with SDG priorities is essential to ensure that technological adoption advances social and environmental objectives, not just efficiency. For entrepreneurs, pairing digital tools with governance and capacity-building strategies can help turn innovation into measurable sustainability outcomes.

The authors argue that leadership, education, and institutional backing are critical for overcoming the barriers identified. Multidisciplinary collaboration between technologists, sustainability experts, and entrepreneurs can also generate more comprehensive solutions that bridge gaps in access, skills, and strategy.