Leveraging digital technology to improve environmental, social, and governance performance of infrastructure projects

Purpose:
This research explores how digital technologies can improve the environmental (E), social (S) and governance (G) performance of infrastructure projects.

Design/methodology/approach:
Grounded in the dynamic capability view (DCV), this study adopted an exploratory qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with infrastructure professionals experienced in digital transformation and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). An inductive thematic analysis was applied to derive insights directly from the data. To interpret and refine the emerging themes in relation to DCV, the research employed an abductive logic through a process of systematic combining allowing theory and empirical data to iteratively inform each other.

Findings:
The results revealed that digital transformation improves ESG performance through informed decision making using real-time data, reduces time consumption in manual data processing, enhances system complexities and facilitates local and global standardization of ESG performance. Furthermore, digital technologies have far-reaching impacts on data collection, structuring, reporting and transparency. Environmental (E), social (S) and governance (G) elements of ESG can significantly be promoted using advanced technologies. The drivers and challenges associated with the adoption of digital technologies to improve ESG performance of infrastructure projects are also highlighted.

Practical implications:
The findings of this research offer valuable insights to infrastructure professionals aiming to improve ESG performance to achieve net-zero targets, promote sustainable investment and enhance competitive advantages by adopting digital transformation in the era of digital economy.

Originality/value:
There is dearth of empirical studies focusing on qualitative research methods that explore the use of digital technologies to advance the performance of infrastructure projects within the framework of ESG.