Blockchain is a disruptive technology that is revolutionizing information technology and represents a change of cultural paradigm for the way in which information is shared. Companies are rushing to understand how they can use blockchain distributed ledger technology to innovate processes, products and transactions. In a globalized world where environmental sustainability is a critical success factor, what is the role of the blockchain? By using a systematic review approach and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, this study attempts to identify whether and how blockchain technology is considered able to affect environmental sustainability. Findings from 195 studies from 2015 to 2020 were analysed after the search protocol was applied. The results indicate that blockchain technology could contribute to environmentally sustainable development goals (SDGs) from different points of view, such as supporting the realization of a sustainable supply chain, improving energy efficiency and promoting the creation of secure and reliable smart cities. Furthermore, the investigation highlights the sectors where to focus research investments, providing a way to reward sustainable behaviour and increasing environmental sustainability. On the other hand, blockchain has no negligible negative effects on the environment that need to be considered before adoption.

Attention to environmental sustainability represents an essential issue for the companies that, in order to integrate environment into their strategies, are producing specific innovations that have also positive environmental outcomes. Implementing green innovations represents a great challenge for non-green companies because it often requires the acquisition of new resources and competences that differ significantly from their existing competences. This paper attempts to propose a theoretical framework that classifies green innovations according their impact on company’s competences and analyses how green innovations can be implemented. Given the complexity of the issue and the variability of situations, we use a multiple case study analysis of several green innovations developed in a non-green industry, namely the automotive sector. Indeed, this is one that produces the highest environmental impact and, in recent years, it has been subjected to increasing regulatory restrictions. Companies operating in a non-green industry that implement disruptive, radical and architectural green innovations can initiate market and technological partnerships to mitigate against such internal weaknesses, such as the lack of technological capabilities and market knowledge. The collaboration helps firms to access new competences and capabilities useful to change or develop new technology capabilities and market knowledge more easily and with lower costs.

The circular economy (CE) presents a contemporary approach to integrating economic activity and environmental well‐being sustainably, opposing the linear open‐ended system. However, implementing this paradigm poses challenges, needing a fundamental shift in companies' strategies and business models. Emerging technology can support companies in transition toward CE and in particular artificial intelligence (AI) can play a crucial role in facilitating this transition by supporting companies not only in specific CE activities but also in strategically redefining their entire business models. Recognizing the increasing importance of both AI and CE in management literature, our paper seeks to integrate these two distinct streams of literature. Starting from existing studies, it tries to provide a framework able to understand the role of AI technology into enhancing CE. Through a systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis protocol, using keywords research on three databases, we identified 63 articles that concurrently address both CE and AI topics. Subsequent co‐occurrence and content analyses revealed how AI is utilized to bolster CE efforts leveraging the ReSOLVE framework (from the acronymous of Regenerate, Share, Optimise, Loop, Virtualise, and Exchange)—an operational tool for CE. The last step consists into the development of a conceptual framework outlining four stages of AI's engagement with the CE: namely System optimization, System redesign, Business Model redesign, and Ecosystem innovation. From our study emerges that while AI is already recognized for enhancing specific activities within CE, its potential as a strategic planning tool for business model redesign and ecosystem innovation remains largely unexplored.

Purpose: The aim of this work is to provide a theoretical model that can help companies to develop a unique approach to achieve both corporate environmental sustainability (CES) and successful customer experience management (CEM).Design/methodology/approach: A two-phase study achieved the research aim. The first phase consisted of the analysis of contemporary theoretical contributions with a focus on CES and CEM. In the second phase, taking a qualitative approach, the key dimensions identified in the initial analysis were investigated to explore the dominant perceptions of practitioners and to hone the theoretical categories.Findings: Five innovative pathways emerged from the study to inform decision-making while maintaining the dual objectives of CES and successful CEM. These pathways are combined to offer a strategic tool for managers and for research advances. This original integrated model also offers six novel theoretical propositions that describe how to shape corporate decisions to achieve environmental sustainability in CEM.Research limitations/implications: Firms can benefit from an approach that integrates CES and CEM to develop a new mindset for an innovative and valuable decision-making process and to design more captivating experiences for customers. Nevertheless, the efficacy and generalizability of the theoretical framework and propositions require empirical testing.Originality/value: This paper makes an original contribution to the environmental sustainability and marketing literature by bringing together all elements in these fields of research in a conceptual model. Moreover, this paper proposes theoretical propositions that advance knowledge of the subject and offer ideas for future research and managers.