How does firm digitalisation drive management activities to achieve low-carbon development?

Employing digital technology to achieve carbon emission reduction is a promising approach. This study combines two methods, including a systematic literature review (SLR) and empirical analysis to study the multiple paths of firm digitalisation to achieve carbon emission reduction through management activities. First, we employ an SLR method to identify the applications of digital technology for carbon emission reduction practice and the multiple paths of carbon emission reduction through management activities. We then empirically test the relationship between firm digitalisation, management activities and carbon emission reduction. The relevant findings are twofold. (1) The SLR reveals that artificial intelligence is the most effective technology to achieve carbon emission reduction, followed by the Internet of Things, big data analytics and cloud computing. These technologies often collaborate synergistically to achieve carbon emission reduction goals. (2) The SLR and empirical analysis reveal that firm digitalisation achieves carbon emission reduction through three management activities, including production operation management such as energy forecasts, resource control and preventive maintenance; innovation management such as process, energy and technological innovation; and logistics and supply chain management such as packaging management.