Abstract
Digital technologies facilitate production and processes in industrial value creation. Utilizing advanced digital technologies (e.g., additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, digital twin, extended reality) in manufacturing offers various potentials for efficiency and sustainability. Regarding their contribution to sustainability, these potentials are not mutually exclusive. They comprise an interdependent and interactive network. While extant research has focused on giving an overview, this paper investigates the interrelationships of utilizing advanced digital technologies for sustainable smart manufacturing. Sustainability is assessed through the triple bottom line (TBL) lens, which encompasses ecological, economic, and social dimensions. First, we identify nine key sustainable potentials that influence sustainable smart manufacturing through 44 expert interviews supported by a literature review. Second, we employ the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methodology and expand our analysis with data from 68 participants. We identify the impact of each factor and the cause-and-effect interrelationships. Our findings show that all ecological potentials are categorized as effect dimensions. Within the economic and social TBL dimensions, only one factor each is classified as an effect factor, while two factors in each domain are recognized as cause factors. Interestingly, employee qualification acts as the biggest lever influencing all other key sustainable dimensions. Conclusively, this study sheds light on the interplay between digital technologies and sustainability in smart manufacturing, offering valuable insights to navigate the interrelatedness of sustainable development.