This paper provides a structured literature review (SLR) on knowledge management (KM), digital transformation (DT), and Industry 4.0, defining these new research streams’ interactions, ties, and interdependencies. Playing an essential role in a progressive discipline, our research summarises the state of the art of the past literature using rigorous methodological approach. The researchers adopt the Scopus database in their analysis and use the Bibliometrix R package. The analysis reveals 761 peer-reviewed English articles. The study shows several research clusters: KM and DT; KM and innovation ecosystems; KM and frontier technologies; and KM, decision-making, and Industry 4.0. Additionally, our paper contributes to identifying a flourishing field of research that has uncovered a previously unknown and exciting link between KM, DT, and the public sector. Finally, the article emphasises the crucial role of DT in KM development, addressing future research perspectives as quantitative and joint academics and practitioners’ analysis.

Purpose: This study aims to offer a bibliometric and coding analysis of blockchain articles published in the accounting, auditing and accountability fields.Design/methodology/approach: The data were collected using the Scopus database and a bibliometric and qualitative coding analysis with the keywords “blockchain” and “accounting” or “auditing” or “accountability.” Of the 514 initial sources, 93 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters and conference proceedings in the areas of business, management and accounting were finally selected. Nonscientific sources such as nonpeer-reviewed books and white papers were excluded.Findings: This study reveals a promising and multidisciplinary field of research dominated by scholars and less by practitioners. Qualitative research, especially discourse analysis, is the most used method among authors. This study gives some useful insights about blockchain's definition and characteristics, business models, processes involved, connection with other technologies and relationships with accounting theories. Among the most interesting insights, the results confirm that technology as an external force can create an intersection among several research areas: accounting, auditing, accountability, business, management, computer science and engineering fields. Finally, in terms of research themes, although blockchain has a clear effect on auditing accounting, the links with the area of accountability are less clear and validated.Originality/value: This study highlights the current state of the field, combining methodological approaches and providing valuable future research insights. Additionally, it is also a starting point for professionals to fully understand blockchain's characteristics and potential with a constructive and systemic approach.

The paper investigates the relationship between Blockchain technology and new sustainable business models (SBMs). The literature notes a lack of empirical classifications and successful case studies. Using a multiple case studies methodology, our research article aims to answer the research question (RQ): How can Blockchain enable new SBMs and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? We present 20 business stories extracted from a combined analysis of the databases coinmarketcap.com and icobench.com, demonstrating how Blockchain can be used for environmental management. Notably, our analysis finds out four broad research clusters related to (i) smart energy management, (ii) climate change, (iii) waste management, and (iv) sustainable production. Mainly, an actual application of Blockchain toward SBMs is related to supply chain cost reduction. Finally, the research includes investments and their social scalability with Blockchain. Then, the final research cluster discovers social and proof sustainability. This study adds to the empirical literature evidence of SBMs offering a connection with the SDGs.