Sustainable Reporting in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)

Lulama Nhlanhla Ngwenya ()
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Lulama Nhlanhla Ngwenya: University of Johannesburg

A chapter in Embracing Technological Agility in Accounting and Business – Vol. 3, 2026, pp 137-149 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is reshaping industries through advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain, offering transformative potential for sustainable reporting. These innovations enable organizations to enhance environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance by improving data accuracy, transparency, and accountability. AI facilitates the analysis of large datasets to identify sustainability trends, while IoT enables real-time monitoring of resource consumption and emissions. Blockchain ensures supply chain transparency through immutable records, verifying sustainable practices. Despite these benefits, challenges persist, including data privacy risks, the misalignment of existing reporting frameworks with 4IR complexities, and a shortage of professionals skilled in both sustainability and emerging technologies. However, 4IR presents significant opportunities, such as real-time sustainability reporting, predictive analytics for proactive decision-making, and enhanced stakeholder engagement through digital platforms. To fully harness these advantages, organizations must prioritize integrating 4IR technologies with sustainability strategies, addressing implementation barriers while fostering innovation. By doing so, they can advance long-term ESG objectives, ensuring more efficient, transparent, and impactful sustainability reporting. This study highlights the transformative role of 4IR in sustainable reporting, emphasizing the need for adaptive frameworks and upskilled workforces to maximize its potential.

Keywords: 4IR technologies; Sustainability reporting; Digital platforms; Datasets; Stakeholder engagement; Accountability; Transparency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:prbchp:978-3-032-13388-5_10

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-13388-5_10

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