Title: The internet of things and human sustainability between theory and practice: is it time to bridge the gap?

Authors: Paola Paoloni; Maurizio Massaro; Francesca Dal Mas; Rosa Lombardi

Addresses: Department of Law and Economics of Production Activities, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy ' Department of Management, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Venice, Italy ' Department of Management, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Venice, Italy; Interdepartmental Research Center 'Organization and Governance of the Public Administration', University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy ' Department of Law and Economics of Production Activities, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

Abstract: The internet of things (IoT) stands as a disruptive technology that offers unique opportunities for organisations to increase their competitive advantage. Still, several barriers in its implementation emerge, like privacy concerns. The paper aims at investigating how IoT can be used balancing the need to improve companies' performance safeguarding, at the same time, the sustainability of work conditions for employees. Thematic and content analysis is used to assess both practitioners' as well as scholars' works. Results demonstrate how IoT has the potential to enhance human sustainability by reducing stress and anxiety, facilitating some tasks, entailing a fairer performance assessment, and even contributing to work and life balance. A proactive role by organisations and policymakers is required to overcome barriers like the lack of privacy, by translating the benefits of the new technology to its users. A win-win strategy can boost the value for the organisation and its people.

Keywords: internet of things; IoT; human sustainability; work-life-balance; technology; digital disruption; practitioners; scholars; practitioners-academics divide; strategy; organisations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJADS.2023.130595

International Journal of Applied Decision Sciences, 2023 Vol.16 No.3, pp.334 - 357

Received: 22 Dec 2021
Accepted: 31 Jan 2022
Published online: 01 May 2023 *

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