IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/sustdv/v33y2025i2p1670-1685.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Enterprise digital transformation and sustainable development performance: The asymmetric roles of top management team faultlines

Author

Listed:
  • Hai Huang
  • Shengbin Hao

Abstract

Digital transformation (DT) is widely recognized as an essential driver for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs). However, empirical evidence regarding the effect of DT on sustainable development performance (SDP) is mixed, and the boundary conditions merit further investigation. Drawing upon organizational information processing theory, this research examines the influence of DT on SDP, specifically focusing on economic sustainability and environmental and social (E&S) sustainability. We also delve deep into the moderating role of top management team (TMT) faultlines (relationship‐related faultlines and task‐related faultlines). This research comprises an analysis of data collected from Chinese manufacturing firms spanning the period 2012–2021. The empirical results reveal that DT can positively affect E&S sustainability but negatively impact economic sustainability. TMT faultlines play a dual role in this association, with TMT relationship‐related faultlines exacerbating the negative effects of DT on economic sustainability, and TMT task‐related faultlines enhancing the positive impacts of DT on E&S sustainability, as well as mitigating the digitalization paradox. In addition, our results do not support the notion that TMT relationship‐related faultlines moderate the relationship between DT and E&S sustainability. This research contributes to the digitalization paradox and faultline literature by highlighting the distinct moderation mechanisms of TMT faultlines. These findings provide insights for managers in navigating the TMT subgroup dynamics and better supporting the success of digital sustainability transformation.

Suggested Citation

  • Hai Huang & Shengbin Hao, 2025. "Enterprise digital transformation and sustainable development performance: The asymmetric roles of top management team faultlines," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 1670-1685, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:2:p:1670-1685
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.3198
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3198
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/sd.3198?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Singh, Shiwangi & Sharma, Meenakshi & Dhir, Sanjay, 2021. "Modeling the effects of digital transformation in Indian manufacturing industry," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    2. Dongmin Kong & Boyang Liu, 2023. "Digital Technology and Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence from China," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(9), pages 2967-2993, July.
    3. Lei Li & Jiabao Lin, 2024. "Digital transformation for the sustainable development of firms: The role of green capability and green culture," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 1861-1875, June.
    4. Fernandez-Vidal, Jorge & Antonio Perotti, Francesco & Gonzalez, Reyes & Gasco, Jose, 2022. "Managing digital transformation: The view from the top," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 29-41.
    5. Silke Niehoff, 2022. "Aligning digitalisation and sustainable development? Evidence from the analysis of worldviews in sustainability reports," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2546-2567, July.
    6. Luis Francisco Miranda & Minna Saunila & Claudio Cruz‐Cázares & Juhani Ukko, 2024. "Business digitalisation as a driver of environmental and economic sustainability in micro, small, and medium‐sized enterprises," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(6), pages 7036-7050, December.
    7. Guo, Xiaochuan & Li, Mengmeng & Wang, Yanlin & Mardani, Abbas, 2023. "Does digital transformation improve the firm’s performance? From the perspective of digitalization paradox and managerial myopia," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    8. Mohamed H. Elmagrhi & Collins G. Ntim & Ahmed A. Elamer & Qingjing Zhang, 2019. "A study of environmental policies and regulations, governance structures, and environmental performance: The role of female directors," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 206-220, January.
    9. Samuel Drempetic & Christian Klein & Bernhard Zwergel, 2020. "The Influence of Firm Size on the ESG Score: Corporate Sustainability Ratings Under Review," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 167(2), pages 333-360, November.
    10. Jia, Jing & Li, Zhongtian, 2020. "Does external uncertainty matter in corporate sustainability performance?," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    11. Hammad Bin Azam Hashmi & Cosmina L. Voinea & Marjolein C. J. Caniëls & Ward Ooms & Kashif Abbass, 2023. "Do top management team diversity and chief sustainability officer make firms greener? Moderating role of top management team behavioral integration," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(4), pages 2536-2547, August.
    12. De Giovanni, Pietro, 2021. "Smart Supply Chains with vendor managed inventory, coordination, and environmental performance," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 292(2), pages 515-531.
    13. Premilla D’Cruz & Shuili Du & Ernesto Noronha & K. Praveen Parboteeah & Hannah Trittin-Ulbrich & Glen Whelan, 2022. "Technology, Megatrends and Work: Thoughts on the Future of Business Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 180(3), pages 879-902, October.
    14. Chen, Pengyu & Chu, Zhongzhu & Zhao, Miao, 2024. "The Road to corporate sustainability: The importance of artificial intelligence," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    15. Orlando Curtae' Richard & Jie Wu & Livia Anna Markoczy & Yunhyung Chung, 2019. "Top management team demographic‐faultline strength and strategic change: What role does environmental dynamism play?," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(6), pages 987-1009, June.
    16. Oli R. Mihalache & Justin J. J. P. Jansen & Frans A. J. Van Den Bosch & Henk W. Volberda, 2012. "Offshoring and firm innovation: The moderating role of top management team attributes," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(13), pages 1480-1498, December.
    17. Waris Ali & Jedrzej George Frynas & Zeeshan Mahmood, 2017. "Determinants of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Disclosure in Developed and Developing Countries: A Literature Review," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(4), pages 273-294, July.
    18. Michaela Wrede & Vivek K. Velamuri & Tobias Dauth, 2020. "Top managers in the digital age: Exploring the role and practices of top managers in firms' digital transformation," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(8), pages 1549-1567, December.
    19. Thomas Hutzschenreuter & Julian Horstkotte, 2013. "Performance effects of top management team demographic faultlines in the process of product diversification," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(6), pages 704-726, June.
    20. Idoya Ferrero‐Ferrero & María Ángeles Fernández‐Izquierdo & María Jesús Muñoz‐Torres, 2015. "Integrating Sustainability into Corporate Governance: An Empirical Study on Board Diversity," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(4), pages 193-207, July.
    21. Gebauer, Heiko & Fleisch, Elgar & Lamprecht, Claudio & Wortmann, Felix, 2020. "Growth paths for overcoming the digitalization paradox," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 63(3), pages 313-323.
    22. Won Oh & Young Chang & Aleksey Martynov, 2011. "The Effect of Ownership Structure on Corporate Social Responsibility: Empirical Evidence from Korea," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 104(2), pages 283-297, December.
    23. Li, Ying & Dai, Jing & Cui, Li, 2020. "The impact of digital technologies on economic and environmental performance in the context of industry 4.0: A moderated mediation model," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    24. Tobias Hahn & Jonatan Pinkse & Lutz Preuss & Frank Figge, 2015. "Tensions in Corporate Sustainability: Towards an Integrative Framework," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 127(2), pages 297-316, March.
    25. Le Sun & Tze San Ong & Boon Heng Teh & Assunta Di Vaio, 2024. "Sustainable performance measurement through digital transformation within the sustainable development framework: The mediating effect of supply chain concentration," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(6), pages 5895-5912, December.
    26. V.G. Venkatesh & K. Kang & B. Wang & R.Y. Zhong & A. Zhang, 2020. "System Architecture for Blockchain Based Transparency of Supply Chain Social Sustainability," Post-Print hal-04457147, HAL.
    27. Katerina Bezrukova & Karen A. Jehn & Elaine L. Zanutto & Sherry M. B. Thatcher, 2009. "Do Workgroup Faultlines Help or Hurt? A Moderated Model of Faultlines, Team Identification, and Group Performance," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 20(1), pages 35-50, February.
    28. Gerard George & Ryan K. Merrill & Simon J. D. Schillebeeckx, 2021. "Digital Sustainability and Entrepreneurship: How Digital Innovations Are Helping Tackle Climate Change and Sustainable Development," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 45(5), pages 999-1027, September.
    29. Wamba, Samuel Fosso & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Akter, Shahriar & Ren, Steven Ji-fan & Dubey, Rameshwar & Childe, Stephen J., 2017. "Big data analytics and firm performance: Effects of dynamic capabilities," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 356-365.
    30. Enrique, Daisy Valle & Lerman, Laura Visintainer & Sousa, Paulo Renato de & Benitez, Guilherme Brittes & Bigares Charrua Santos, Fernando M. & Frank, Alejandro G., 2022. "Being digital and flexible to navigate the storm: How digital transformation enhances supply chain flexibility in turbulent environments," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    31. Nicola Cucari & Salvatore Esposito De Falco & Beatrice Orlando, 2018. "Diversity of Board of Directors and Environmental Social Governance: Evidence from Italian Listed Companies," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(3), pages 250-266, May.
    32. Virginia Hernández & Antonio Revilla & Alicia Rodríguez, 2024. "Digital data‐driven technologies and the environmental sustainability of micro, small, and medium enterprises: Does size matter?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(6), pages 5563-5582, September.
    33. Juanru Wang & Yajiong Xue & Jin Yang, 2020. "Boundary‐spanning search and firms' green innovation: The moderating role of resource orchestration capability," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 361-374, February.
    34. Ghobakhloo, Morteza & Asadi, Shahla & Iranmanesh, Mohammad & Foroughi, Behzad & Mubarak, Muhammad Faraz & Yadegaridehkordi, Elaheh, 2023. "Intelligent automation implementation and corporate sustainability performance: The enabling role of corporate social responsibility strategy," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    35. Elaine Zanutto & Katerina Bezrukova & Karen Jehn, 2011. "Revisiting faultline conceptualization: measuring faultline strength and distance," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 45(3), pages 701-714, April.
    36. Li, Huanli & Wu, Yun & Cao, Dongmei & Wang, Yichuan, 2021. "Organizational mindfulness towards digital transformation as a prerequisite of information processing capability to achieve market agility," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 700-712.
    37. Nathan Nunn & Nancy Qian, 2014. "US Food Aid and Civil Conflict," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 104(6), pages 1630-1666, June.
    38. Kohtamäki, Marko & Parida, Vinit & Patel, Pankaj C. & Gebauer, Heiko, 2020. "The relationship between digitalization and servitization: The role of servitization in capturing the financial potential of digitalization," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    39. Pengyu Chen & Yuanyuan Hao, 2022. "Digital transformation and corporate environmental performance: The moderating role of board characteristics," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(5), pages 1757-1767, September.
    40. Li, Lixu & Ye, Fei & Zhan, Yuanzhu & Kumar, Ajay & Schiavone, Francesco & Li, Yina, 2022. "Unraveling the performance puzzle of digitalization: Evidence from manufacturing firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 54-64.
    41. Sherry M.B. Thatcher & Karen A. Jehn & Elaine Zanutto, 2003. "Cracks in Diversity Research: The Effects of Diversity Faultlines on Conflict and Performance," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 217-241, May.
    42. Behl, Abhishek & Gaur, Jighyasu & Pereira, Vijay & Yadav, Rambalak & Laker, Benjamin, 2022. "Role of big data analytics capabilities to improve sustainable competitive advantage of MSME service firms during COVID-19 – A multi-theoretical approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 378-389.
    43. Eric Molleman, 2005. "Diversity in Demographic Characteristics, Abilities and Personality Traits: Do Faultlines Affect Team Functioning?," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 173-193, May.
    44. Hermann Achidi Ndofor & David G. Sirmon & Xiaoming He, 2015. "Utilizing the firm's resources: How TMT heterogeneity and resulting faultlines affect TMT tasks," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(11), pages 1656-1674, November.
    45. Rameshwar Dubey & Angappa Gunasekaran & Stephen J. Childe & Samuel Fosso Wamba & David Roubaud & Cyril Foropon, 2021. "Empirical investigation of data analytics capability and organizational flexibility as complements to supply chain resilience," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(1), pages 110-128, January.
    46. Zhou, Zhongsheng & Li, Zhuo, 2023. "Corporate digital transformation and trade credit financing," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    47. Ardito, Lorenzo & Raby, Simon & Albino, Vito & Bertoldi, Bernardo, 2021. "The duality of digital and environmental orientations in the context of SMEs: Implications for innovation performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 44-56.
    48. Mamon Adam Maarof & Dildar Haydar Ahmed & Ahmed Samour, 2023. "Fiscal Policy, Oil Price, Foreign Direct Investment, and Renewable Energy—A Path to Sustainable Development in South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-16, June.
    49. Wen Chen, 2023. "Digital economy development, corporate social responsibility and low‐carbon innovation," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(4), pages 1664-1679, July.
    50. Cai, Cen & Tu, Yongqian & Li, Zhi, 2023. "Enterprise digital transformation and ESG performance," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PD).
    51. Xie, Xiao-Yun & Wang, Wei-Liang & Qi, Zhen-Jiang, 2015. "The effects of TMT faultline configuration on a firm’s short-term performance and innovation activities," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 21(5), pages 558-572, September.
    52. Yang Yang & Jinmian Han, 2023. "Digital transformation, financing constraints, and corporate environmental, social, and governance performance," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(6), pages 3189-3202, November.
    53. Shenjiang Mo & Chu-Ding Ling & Xiao-Yun Xie, 2019. "The Curvilinear Relationship Between Ethical Leadership and Team Creativity: The Moderating Role of Team Faultlines," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 154(1), pages 229-242, January.
    54. Wang, Qiang & Hu, Sailan & Li, Rongrong, 2024. "Could information and communication technology (ICT) reduce carbon emissions? The role of trade openness and financial development," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(3).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wang, Kui & He, Junjia & Zhang, Xiaodan & Xiang, Diandian & Zhang, Ping, 2025. "Unraveling the performance puzzle of digital transformation: The moderating role of TMT heterogeneity and faultline strength," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    2. Hai Huang & Shengbin Hao & Yu Chen, 2023. "The more the better? Service transition for shaping sustainable development in manufacturing firms and the role of top management team attributes," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(6), pages 3255-3270, November.
    3. Yang, Hefan & Liu, Xilu & Meng, Yao & Feng, Baoyi & Chen, Zhijun, 2024. "Digital transformation and the allocation of decision-making rights within business groups – Empirical evidence from China," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    4. Yang Yang & Jinmian Han, 2023. "Digital transformation, financing constraints, and corporate environmental, social, and governance performance," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(6), pages 3189-3202, November.
    5. Andrea Calabrò & Rosalia Santulli & Mariateresa Torchia & Carmen Gallucci, 2021. "Entrepreneurial Orientation and Family Firm Performance: The Moderating Role of TMT Identity-Based and Knowledge-Based Faultlines," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 45(4), pages 838-866, July.
    6. Yun Song & Hongqu He & Caiyu Yan, 2022. "Impacts of top management team fault‐line on firm's innovation—Financial slack over‐investment and underinvestment," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(8), pages 3348-3360, December.
    7. Du, Juntao & Shen, Zhiyang & Song, Malin & Zhang, Linda, 2023. "Nexus between digital transformation and energy technology innovation: An empirical test of A-share listed enterprises," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    8. Li, Ganglei & Shao, Yunfei, 2023. "How do top management team characteristics affect digital orientation? Exploring the internal driving forces of firm digitalization," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    9. Jiabao Lin & Minyi Mao, 2024. "How does digital transformation affect sustainable innovation performance? The pivotal roles of digital technology‐business alignment and environmental uncertainty," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(4), pages 3163-3181, August.
    10. Alyson Meister & Sherry M.B. Thatcher & Jieun Park & Mark Maltarich, 2020. "Toward A Temporal Theory of Faultlines and Subgroup Entrenchment," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(8), pages 1473-1501, December.
    11. Yang (Eric) Zhou & Jingjun (David) Xu & Zhiying Liu, 2024. "The impact of digital transformation on corporate innovation: Roles of analyst coverage and internal control," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 45(1), pages 373-393, January.
    12. Veltrop, D.B. & Hermes, C.L.M. & Postma, T.J.B.M. & de Haan, J., 2012. "A tale of two factions," Research Report 12001-HRM&OB, University of Groningen, Research Institute SOM (Systems, Organisations and Management).
    13. Joyce Rupert & Astrid C. Homan & Karen A. Jehn & Robert Jan Blomme, 2019. "Diversity Composition and Team Learning: The Moderating Role of Error Culture," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 28(4), pages 695-722, August.
    14. Xiang, Xiandeng & Jiang, Lan, 2023. "Digitalisation and commercial bank performance: A test of heterogeneity from Chinese commercial banks," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PA).
    15. Siqian Chen & Xin Leng & Kun Luo, 2024. "Supply chain digitalization and corporate ESG performance," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 83(4), pages 855-881, September.
    16. Elshandidy, Tamer & Bamber, Matthew & Omara, Hossam, 2024. "Across the faultlines: A multi-dimensional index to measure and assess board diversity," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    17. Yin, Qiaoyi & Wang, Yunfei & Song, Dian & Lai, Fujun & Collins, Brian & Guo, Hangfei, 2024. "The impact of digitalization on operational risk: An organizational information processing perspective," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    18. Shan Xue & Yi Tang & Yuehua Xu & Chu-Ding Ling & Xiao-Yun Xie & Shenjiang Mo, 2024. "How boards’ factional faultlines affect corporate financial fraud," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(1), pages 351-376, March.
    19. Zheng, Deyuan & Song, Hang & Zhao, Chunguang & Liu, Yujiao & Zhao, Wenhao, 2024. "Is it possible for semiconductor companies to reduce carbon emissions through digital transformation? Evidence from China," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    20. Tao, Zhibin & Chao, Jiaxiao, 2024. "Unlocking new opportunities in the industry 4.0 era, exploring the critical impact of digital technology on sustainable performance and the mediating role of GSCM practices," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 3(3).

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:2:p:1670-1685. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1719 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.