Bridging sustainability and digital transformationinformation technology adoption for ecoliteracy

Résumé

This research was carried out in the context of the urgent global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. These ecological challenges have led both society and global institutions to consider environmental education as a key element in the transition toward a more sustainable future. At the same time, the digital transformation of organisations and society offers new opportunities to improve education and communication to promote positive environmental behaviours. This study seeks to contribute to mitigating current ecological challenges by strategically using digital advances to improve education and catalyse positive change. This is done by investigating the interplay between the digital practices of organisations and their impact on education for sustainable development. Protected natural areas in France were used as a case study, given their dual significance in conservation and education efforts, coupled with their sensitivity to anthropogenic pressures. Thus, the study explores the extent to which these organisations have shifted to digitalisation to support their mission, particularly in raising eco-awareness in the population. The literature review led the researcher to take an interpretative approach to the research based on practitioners’ perceptions of digital tools. A two-stage data collection process was carried out involving decision-makers within the French-protected natural areas. The initial stage involves the collection of 26 responses to a questionnaire designed using a combination of closed and open-ended questions. This was followed by a second stage involving 13 semi-structured interviews. Qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics were used for the data analysis. The findings significantly enrich the existing body of knowledge in the realms of sustainability, technology adoption, knowledge management, and education. This study, therefore, makes two significant contributions to theory and practice. Firstly, it provides valuable insights into understanding how digitalisation influences organisations’ strategic decision-making processes. Secondly, it uncovers effective pathways and tools for harnessing digital tools to enhance individuals' eco-literacy. The research findings and recommendations have been shared with practitioners, enabling the findings to be adopted into practice. Finally, the research has identified areas for further research and investigation.