An insight on B2B Firms in the Age of Digitalization and Paperless Processes

José Oliveira, António Azevedo, Joao Ferreira, Sofia Gomes and João M. Lopes
Additional contact information
José Oliveira: Instituto Superior Politécnico Gaya (ISPGAYA), 4400-103 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
António Azevedo: School of Economics and Management, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Sofia Gomes: REMIT—Research on Economics, Management and Information Technologies, University Portucalense, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
João M. Lopes: Miguel Torga Institute of Higher Education & University of Beira Interior & NECE—Research Unit in Business Sciences, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 21, 1-21

Abstract: In recent years and due to market demand and environmental regulations, firms have been changing their procedures regarding document production, handling, and filling. There has been a paradigm change in document sustention in order to attain such changes, from paper-based to electronic forms, resulting in the Digitization and Paperless Office Program (DPOP). The literature on digitization and paperless processes is profuse; nonetheless, it is outdated, uses only single or multiple case study approaches, and is limited to specific industries, such as healthcare or higher education. To overcome this gap, this research analyses the current implementation of the DPOP in five major sectors by using a country scale approach; consequently, this research study contributes to strengthening the literature in this area of knowledge. The methodology used is quantitative and is based on a questionnaire distributed to the most important economic sectors (education, health, trade, industry, and services) in Portugal. The results show that a DPOP positively impacts companies, as it increases profitability and, in most cases, is a sine qua non condition for negotiating with clients. Additionally, it favours companies’ image, reduces costs, and contributes to environmental sustainability. This research provides new insights into how firms using a DPOP may contribute to dematerialization and paper consumption reduction. It is also original as it covers multiple sectors using a country approach.

Keywords: digitization; paperless office; paper reduction; dematerialization; office printing industry; corporate image; servitization; downsizing; business-to-business services (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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