Developing a Research Ontology of the Digital Servitization of Industry Within the Sustainable Economic Development Context

Olga A. Chernova, Anastasia Y. Nikitaeva () and Olga I. Dolgova
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Olga A. Chernova: Faculty of Economics, Southern Federal University, 105/42 Bolshaya Sadovaya Str., Rostov-on-Don 344006, Russia
Anastasia Y. Nikitaeva: Faculty of Economics, Southern Federal University, 105/42 Bolshaya Sadovaya Str., Rostov-on-Don 344006, Russia
Olga I. Dolgova: Faculty of Economics, Southern Federal University, 105/42 Bolshaya Sadovaya Str., Rostov-on-Don 344006, Russia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-22

Abstract: Digital servitization represents a relatively nascent field of research, whose conceptual and terminological apparatus is still under development. This necessitates its systematization and organization to facilitate a clear understanding of the processes inherent to digital servitization and the underlying patterns in achieving the objectives of sustainable economic development. The purpose of this study is to formulate and structure the conceptual framework for research in the field of digital industrial servitization within the context of addressing sustainable economic development challenges. The research methodology is based on the application of scientometric analysis using VOSviewer software to identify and map the interrelationships of keywords. The selection of scientific publications for analysis was conducted following the PRISMA methodology. The results of the study demonstrate that the domain of digital servitization has emerged from the integration of concepts from servitization, digitalization, circularization, and sustainable development, thereby incorporating their fundamental terms and concepts. The paper presents a structured overview of the research field concerning digital industrial servitization in the context of sustainable development, organized along distinct research avenues. This structured approach enables the development of strategies and business models for digital industrial servitization that are aligned with the overarching logic of sustainable development. These models are founded on integrated solutions that combine the principles of digitalization and circularization.

Keywords: digital servitization; sustainable development; circularization; research ontology; scientometric analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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