Title: Internet of things vs. factory of things: an evaluation of evolving technologies for corporate sustainable development

Authors: Lingya Zhang

Addresses: School of Digital Business and Intelligent Logistics, Jiangsu Vocational College of Business, Nantong 226011, Jiangsu, China

Abstract: Internet of things (IoT) and factory of things (FoT) both are evolving AI-based models that revolutionise efficiency, productivity, and decision making in various industrial sectors, worldwide. It is claimed that research on IoTs and FoTs is crucial to unlock the full potential across nations, especially in developing economies. This study aims to explore the nexus of both models in terms of the sustainable development of corporates. The first objective is to explore the connections between IoT and sustainable development (SD) from the perspective of the Chinese industrial sector. Second, the key aim is to investigate the relationship between FoT and sustainable development. In addition, the aim is to examine the directions of both models (i.e., IoT and FoT) toward subdimensions of SD such as economic, social, and environmental development. Using a structural approach with the support of SmartPLS, this research carried out the analysis to explore the outcomes as follows. The results confirmed a positive connection between IoTs and SD. Likewise, the outcomes assured a significant connection between FoT and SD. Multidimensional testing confirmed the positive relationships of IoTs and FoTs toward each dimension of SD such as economic, social, and environmental development.

Keywords: internet of things; IoT; factory of things; FoT; artificial intelligence; sustainable development; structural equation modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEB.2025.143055

International Journal of Electronic Business, 2025 Vol.20 No.1, pp.17 - 33

Received: 15 Aug 2023
Accepted: 02 Dec 2023
Published online: 02 Dec 2024 *

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