Local root and university link: Digitalisation and SDGs. A literature review

Framing of the research. Successful implementation of solutions to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) increasingly depends on the joint efforts of a diverse group of stakeholders and the adoption of innovative systems. Therefore, the paper explores how the link between local roots and universities enables them to address the challenges related to the SDGs. Purpose of the paper. This paper presents the state of the art and emerging issues in the literature on the linkage of local roots and universities in promoting digitalization to achieve SDGs. The purpose is to provide a comprehensive picture on topics under consideration, highlighting established, emerging and niche topics. Methodology. A systematic review of the literature published between 2004 and 2023 was conducted using bibliometric techniques, enriched by the study of papers emerged from bibliometric analysis. Results. Scientific production on the topic is limited; we found mainly articles dealing with: how civil society engages and acts in sustainability transformations, the adoption of new technologies within geographically defined “local” communities, and the importance of government support and policy frameworks in promoting the adoption of sustainable practices Research limitations. Future research could compare the results of other databases with those proposed by our study by extending our protocol to obtain better results. Managerial implications. Because the topic analyzed emerges as still underexplored in the literature, this paper suggests the need for the university to take a leading role in enhancing local root in order to achieve SDGs. Originality of the paper. This paper is one of the first studies that attempts to systematize the literature on the university’s connection with local roots in promoting SDGs.