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Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainability in the Digital Product Lifecycle: A Systematic Literature Review

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  • Mariane Bigarelli Ferreira

    (Post-Graduate Program in Industrial Engineering (PPGEP), Sustainable Production System Laboratory (LESP), Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Ponta Grossa 84017-220, Brazil)

  • Giulihano Luis Feltz Zeni

    (Post-Graduate Program in Industrial Engineering (PPGEP), Sustainable Production System Laboratory (LESP), Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Ponta Grossa 84017-220, Brazil)

  • Guilherme Francisco do Prado

    (Post-Graduate Program in Industrial Engineering (PPGEP), Sustainable Production System Laboratory (LESP), Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Ponta Grossa 84017-220, Brazil)

  • Jovani Taveira Souza

    (Post-Graduate Program in Industrial Engineering (PPGEP), Sustainable Production System Laboratory (LESP), Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Ponta Grossa 84017-220, Brazil)

  • Cassiano Moro Piekarski

    (Post-Graduate Program in Industrial Engineering (PPGEP), Sustainable Production System Laboratory (LESP), Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Ponta Grossa 84017-220, Brazil)

  • Fabio Neves Puglieri

    (Post-Graduate Program in Industrial Engineering (PPGEP), Sustainable Production System Laboratory (LESP), Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Ponta Grossa 84017-220, Brazil)

Abstract

This article presents a systematic literature review aimed at identifying challenges and opportunities for integrating sustainability into the digital product lifecycle. The review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and involved a comprehensive search across three databases—Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect—using structured Boolean queries. A total of 377 records were retrieved, and after duplicate removal and a multi-stage screening process based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 56 peer-reviewed studies were selected for analysis. These studies were examined in relation to how they addressed environmental, social, and economic dimensions throughout the digital product lifecycle and UX/UI design. Key challenges identified include high energy consumption, limited user awareness of environmental impacts, and the exclusion of vulnerable populations from digital solutions. Opportunities include the adoption of sustainable design strategies, the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), co-design practices, and data-driven decision-making tools. The findings were synthesized into a conceptual framework structured across three lifecycle stages—pre-development, development, and post-development—and mapped to six sustainability requirements. This study contributes to the field by aligning digital innovation with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and offering a theoretical foundation for the development of practical frameworks and indicators that support sustainable digital product development.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariane Bigarelli Ferreira & Giulihano Luis Feltz Zeni & Guilherme Francisco do Prado & Jovani Taveira Souza & Cassiano Moro Piekarski & Fabio Neves Puglieri, 2025. "Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainability in the Digital Product Lifecycle: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:16:p:7265-:d:1722389
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rizwan Raheem Ahmed & Dalia Streimikiene & Gerhard Berchtold & Jolita Vveinhardt & Zahid Ali Channar & Riaz Hussain Soomro, 2019. "Effectiveness of Online Digital Media Advertising as A Strategic Tool for Building Brand Sustainability: Evidence from FMCGs and Services Sectors of Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-40, June.
    2. Lynn H. Kaack & Priya L. Donti & Emma Strubell & George Kamiya & Felix Creutzig & David Rolnick, 2022. "Aligning artificial intelligence with climate change mitigation," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 12(6), pages 518-527, June.
    3. Hazem Abdelkarim Alrabaiah & Nuria Medina-Medina, 2021. "Agile Beeswax: Mobile App Development Process and Empirical Study in Real Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-33, February.
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    1. Mathis Cuzin & Antoine Mallet & Kevin Nocentini & Benjamin Deguilhem & Victor Fau & Tom Bauer & Philippe Véron & Frédéric Segonds, 2025. "Life Cycle Assessment of PLM System Scenarios: Sensitivity Insights from an Academic Use Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-37, October.

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