Sustainability-oriented information systems to support a network’s sustainability transition: lights and shadows

This article aims to understand how network SMEs are involved in sustainability transition using information systems to support sustainable network management. The present study analyzes a three-year in-depth longitudinal case study of an Italian business network orchestrated by the “Brun Gelmino” Company. The leading firm developed sustainability-oriented network information systems with the collaboration of “Feelera”, an intermediary operating in the industry of sustainability-oriented information systems and platforms development. The results provide insights into the implementation of a sustainable shift of a business network by leveraging sustainability-oriented information systems to develop a network sustainability platform. Indeed, a sustainability-oriented information system may be a key driver to increase a business network's understanding of sustainability-related issues, improve the network’s sustainability performance, and foster a network’s sustainability transition through the implementation of new organizational practices. However, the implementation of a sustainability-oriented information system may also generate negative dynamics, resulting in a series of tensions between the network leading firm, the network firms, and external stakeholders such as clients or institutions.