Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze how Internet of Things can contribute to the achievement of a sustainable development based on people, profit and planet. Based on the triple bottom line theoretical framework, this work explores the relation between technology and the creation of value in management operative and support processes carried out by a firm with a direct impact in society and the environment. By doing so, new insights on strategic management to create value and consolidate sustainable business models are provided.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study analyzes firms within the context of the European Union, considering the involvement of the region in achieving sustainable development, in particular, the usage of technology and specifically Internet of Things to create value and contribute to company’s position as leaders in the industry’s change toward sustainable development. To achieve this goal, the Spanish market was analyzed, specifically companies who were publicly listed in the IBEX35, which is the benchmark stock market index of Spain’s main stock exchange (Bolsa de Madrid). In addition, firms were also considered regarding the strong impact within their industries not only nationally, but also worldwide.

Findings

Findings show that companies incorporating Internet of Things can enhance their role as leaders in change toward sustainable development. Similarly, the usage of these technologies positively impacts the pollution reduction and limiting usage of non-renewable resources, as well as positively impacting people’s lives. Furthermore, technology has a positive effect on the creation of value, considering management, operative and support processes. By considering people and planet, companies can have a profitable business model that is also sustainable in the long-run, creating a win-win situation within the triple bottom line.

Originality/value

This study shows the links between Internet of Things and sustainable development within the framework of the triple bottom line. It portrays the relevance of technology in value creation to achieve business models that can cater to profit, people and planet objectives. Consequently, practitioners can incorporate Internet of Things elements to create value and contribute to their corporate social responsibility objectives, establishing synergies between managerial and socio-environmental aspects. Moreover, researchers studying business strategy can incorporate these variables to further enlarge the results herein derived. Finally, this work reinforces the usage of triple bottom line theory to analyze a firm’s sustainable development and its business models.

中文翻译：

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用物联网面对 TBL：创造价值并积极影响业务流程

目的

本研究的目的是分析物联网如何为实现基于人、利润和地球的可持续发展做出贡献。基于三重底线理论框架，这项工作探讨了技术与价值创造之间的关系，该过程由一家对社会和环境产生直接影响的公司实施的管理运营和支持过程。通过这样做，提供了关于战略管理的新见解，以创造价值和巩固可持续的商业模式。

设计/方法/方法

本研究分析了欧盟范围内的公司，考虑到该地区在实现可持续发展方面的参与，特别是使用技术，特别是物联网来创造价值并为公司在行业变革中的领导地位做出贡献走向可持续发展。为了实现这一目标，我们对西班牙市场进行了分析，特别是在 IBEX35 上市的公司，IBEX35 是西班牙主要证券交易所 (Bolsa de Madrid) 的基准股票市场指数。此外，还考虑了公司在其行业内的强大影响，不仅在全国范围内，而且在全球范围内。

发现

调查结果表明，采用物联网的公司可以增强其作为实现可持续发展变革的领导者的作用。同样，这些技术的使用对减少污染和限制不可再生资源的使用产生积极影响，并对人们的生活产生积极影响。此外，考虑到管理、运营和支持流程，技术对价值创造具有积极影响。通过考虑人和地球，公司可以拥有一个长期可持续的盈利商业模式，在三重底线内创造双赢局面。

原创性/价值

本研究在三重底线框架内展示了物联网与可持续发展之间的联系。它描绘了技术在价值创造中的相关性，以实现能够满足利润、人类和地球目标的商业模式。因此，从业者可以结合物联网元素来创造价值并为他们的企业社会责任目标做出贡献，在管理和社会环境方面建立协同作用。此外，研究商业战略的研究人员可以结合这些变量来进一步扩大本文得出的结果。最后，这项工作加强了使用三重底线理论来分析公司的可持续发展及其商业模式。