IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/sustdv/v34y2026is1p654-668.html

Harmonizing the Quartet: The Symphony of Edge Computing, Cognitive Computing, Bionic Technology, and Generative AI in Orchestrating Sustainable Business Futures

Author

Listed:
  • Cheng Xu
  • Yanqi Sun
  • Howard Davey

Abstract

This paper proposes the “Sustainable Technological Convergence Model” (STCM), a multidisciplinary framework designed to address sustainability challenges within business operations. The model integrates edge computing, cognitive computing, bionic technology, and generative AI to promote clean production and sustainable development, aligning technological innovation with corporate social responsibility. The STCM framework is constructed through a strategic integration of emerging technologies. Edge computing optimizes data processing close to the source, reducing latency and energy usage. Cognitive computing applies advanced algorithms for intelligent decision‐making. Bionic technology utilizes insights from cognitive computing to design sustainable solutions inspired by natural systems. Generative AI synthesizes the findings to propose innovative, resource‐efficient designs that enhance operational sustainability and promote a circular economy. The STCM enhances business operational efficiency by reducing waste and maximizing resource use, while also strengthening strategic sustainability practices. This framework demonstrates the potential for businesses to gain a competitive advantage by adopting technology‐driven solutions that are aligned with environmental stewardship. This paper introduces the novel STCM, a unique integration of advanced technologies designed to meet the dual demands of business efficiency and sustainability. By bridging the gap between digital innovation and ecological conservation, the model offers a robust foundation for future sustainable business strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheng Xu & Yanqi Sun & Howard Davey, 2026. "Harmonizing the Quartet: The Symphony of Edge Computing, Cognitive Computing, Bionic Technology, and Generative AI in Orchestrating Sustainable Business Futures," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(S1), pages 654-668, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:34:y:2026:i:s1:p:654-668
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.70196
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70196
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/sd.70196?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. Rick Edgeman & Jacob Eskildsen, 2014. "Modeling and Assessing Sustainable Enterprise Excellence," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(3), pages 173-187, March.
    2. Sarkis, Joseph & Dhavale, Dileep G., 2015. "Supplier selection for sustainable operations: A triple-bottom-line approach using a Bayesian framework," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 177-191.
    3. Stefan Schaltegger & Florian Lüdeke-Freund & Erik G. Hansen, 2012. "Business cases for sustainability: the role of business model innovation for corporate sustainability," International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 6(2), pages 95-119.
    4. Daniel D. & Preethi N. & Aishwarya Jakka & Sivaraman Eswaran, 2021. "Collaborative Intrusion Detection System in Cognitive Smart City Network (CSC-Net)," International Journal of Knowledge and Systems Science (IJKSS), IGI Global Scientific Publishing, vol. 12(1), pages 60-73, January.
    5. Mikhail Deev & Leyla Gamidullaeva & Alexey Finogeev & Anton Finogeev & Sergey Vasin, 2021. "The Convergence Model of Education for Sustainability in the Transition to Digital Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-17, October.
    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. María Jesús Muñoz‐Torres & María Ángeles Fernández‐Izquierdo & Juana M. Rivera‐Lirio & Elena Escrig‐Olmedo, 2019. "Can environmental, social, and governance rating agencies favor business models that promote a more sustainable development?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(2), pages 439-452, March.
    2. Philip Hallinger, 2020. "Analyzing the intellectual structure of the Knowledge base on managing for sustainability, 1982–2019: A meta‐analysis," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(5), pages 1493-1506, September.
    3. Steve Evans & Doroteya Vladimirova & Maria Holgado & Kirsten Van Fossen & Miying Yang & Elisabete A. Silva & Claire Y. Barlow, 2017. "Business Model Innovation for Sustainability: Towards a Unified Perspective for Creation of Sustainable Business Models," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(5), pages 597-608, July.
    4. Maria Björklund & Helena Forslund, 2019. "Challenges Addressed by Swedish Third-Party Logistics Providers Conducting Sustainable Logistics Business Cases," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-15, May.
    5. Erik G. Hansen & Stefan Schaltegger, 2018. "Sustainability Balanced Scorecards and their Architectures: Irrelevant or Misunderstood?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 150(4), pages 937-952, July.
    6. Davis-Sramek, Beth & Robinson, Jessica L. & Darby, Jessica L. & Thomas, Rodney W., 2020. "Exploring the differential roles of environmental and social sustainability in carrier selection decisions," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    7. Mara Del Baldo & Maria-Gabriella Baldarelli, 2017. "Renewing and improving the business model toward sustainability in theory and practice," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 2(1), pages 1-13, December.
    8. Emmanuelle Reuter, 2022. "Hybrid business models in the sharing economy: The role of business model design for managing the environmental paradox," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(2), pages 603-618, February.
    9. Tingqian Pu, 2025. "Bridging digitalization and environmental, social, and governance performance: the moderating effect of CEO duality and government linked corporations," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-19, December.
    10. Hanna Lehtimäki & Kristina Leppälä & Nuppu Mielonen & Ville‐Veikko Piispanen & Kaisa Henttonen & Subhanjan Sengupta & Ida Parkkinen & Olena Liakh, 2026. "Sustainable Innovation Framework: A Review of Organization, Strategic Management, and Entrepreneurship Literature," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(S1), pages 34-64, January.
    11. Pizzichini, L. & Sabatini, A. & Gregori, G.L. & Cillo, V. & Sasso, P., 2025. "Digital servitisation for sustainable business model innovation in the automotive industry: The empirical perspective of a car dealer," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    12. Fabien Martinez, 2014. "Corporate strategy and the environment: towards a four-dimensional compatibility model for fostering green management decisions," Post-Print hal-02887618, HAL.
    13. Ionela Corina Chersan & Valentin Florentin Dumitru & Cãtãlina Gorgan & Vasile Gorgan, 2020. "Green Public Procurement in the Academic Literature," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 22(53), pages 1-82, February.
    14. Broccardo, Laura & Vola, Paola & Zicari, Adrian & Alshibani, Safiya Mukhtar, 2023. "Contingency-based analysis of the drivers and obstacles to a successful sustainable business model: Seeking the uncaptured value," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    15. Lin, Edward M.H. & Sun, Edward W. & Yu, Min-Teh, 2020. "Behavioral data-driven analysis with Bayesian method for risk management of financial services," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    16. Coskun-Setirek, Abide & Tanrikulu, Zuhal, 2021. "Digital innovations-driven business model regeneration: A process model," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    17. Maria Rosa De Giacomo & Raimund Bleischwitz, 2020. "Business models for environmental sustainability: Contemporary shortcomings and some perspectives," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(8), pages 3352-3369, December.
    18. Graziela Darla Araujo Galvão & Steve Evans & Paulo Sergio Scoleze Ferrer & Marly Monteiro de Carvalho, 2022. "Circular business model: Breaking down barriers towards sustainable development," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 1504-1524, May.
    19. Anna Verbytska & Hanna Dyvnych & Olena Petryk, 2023. "The Potential Of Local Business Involvement As A Determinant Of Social Entrepreneurship Development In The Process Of Veterans' Reintegration," Baltic Journal of Economic Studies, Publishing house "Baltija Publishing", vol. 9(4).
    20. Nadia Preghenella & Cinzia Battistella, 2021. "Exploring business models for sustainability: A bibliographic investigation of the literature and future research directions," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(5), pages 2505-2522, July.

    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:34:y:2026:i:s1:p:654-668. 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.