Although a body of literature has recognized digitalization as a strategic way to achieve enhanced environmental performance, empirical findings regarding its impact on environmental performance remain heterogeneous across studies. Drawing upon the resource-based view (RBV) and institutional theory, this study aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the association between digitalization and environmental performance, and to examine how sociopolitical and cultural factors alter this association.
This study conducts a meta-analysis of 62 peer-reviewed studies to reconcile the mixed findings regarding the digitalization–environmental performance relationship. Meta-regression analysis is employed to identify the conditions under which digitalization may improve environmental performance.
The results reveal a positive association between digitalization and environmental performance. More importantly, national green orientation and geopolitical risk strengthen the relationship between digitalization and environmental performance. Power distance weakens this relationship, whereas long-term orientation reinforces it.
This paper is the first meta-analysis examining the relationship between digitalization and environmental performance, distinguishing the impacts of various digital technologies on environmental performance. More importantly, it expands the existing literature by uncovering the contingency effects of macro-level institutional factors.
