Exploring sustainable pathways: A systematic literature review of three pillars of sustainability applications

Abstract

The Triple Bottom Line (TBL), also referred to as the Three Pillars of Sustainability (TPS), has become a critical framework for advancing sustainable development across diverse sectors. While the model has gained significant traction, previous reviews have seldom provide a cross-industry synthesis that integrates both methodological strategies and the enabling role of digital technologies. This study addresses these gaps through a systematic literature review of 92 peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus and published between 2004 and 2023. Using PRISMA guidelines, the review identifies the dominant fields in which TBL/TPS has been applied, prevailing implementation strategies, measurement methods, and identifies key enablers and barriers. A central contribution of this study is the integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and blockchain, into the analysis of TBL practices. By offering a sector-specific synthesis that connects digital tools with sustainability strategies and methodological approaches, this review provides a comprehensive framework for advancing theory and informing practice. The findings aim to support policymakers and practitioners in designing more adaptive and evidence-based sustainability initiatives that align with technological capabilities and sectoral conditions. This study contributes a novel sector-specific synthesis that explicitly links digital enablers with sustainability strategies and methodological approaches, addressing long-standing fragmentation in previous reviews.

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