Digital Sustainability Sequencing (DSS): A Framework for Navigating Non-Linear Pathways in Organizational and Ecosystem Transitions

Digital transformation and sustainability are increasingly interconnected yet often studied in isolation. This paper introduces the Digital Sustainability Sequencing (DSS) framework, a mid-level model that guides organizations in aligning digital tools with sustainability goals through flexible, non-linear pathways. Based on a systematic review of 155 peer-reviewed articles and 30 analytical memos, supported by bibliometric mapping, DSS identifies three interrelated phases: (1) Digital Infrastructures for Operational Efficiency (DSS1), (2) Intelligent Integration for Sustainable Value (DSS2), and (3) Regenerative Ecosystem Models (DSS3). Each phase is characterized by enabling technologies, organizational routines, boundary conditions, and ethical dilemmas, synthesized through the DSS-E rubric: transparency, inclusivity, and accountability. Unlike traditional maturity models, DSS emphasizes path dependency and reversibility, capturing leapfrogging, stagnation, and regression. The framework offers testable propositions linking adoption logics, capability formation, and ecosystem orchestration. For managers and policymakers, DSS serves as a diagnostic tool to assess digital readiness, avoid efficiency-only lock-ins, and design inclusive governance. Overall, DSS bridges micro-level adoption with macro-level sustainability transitions, providing actionable insights for regenerative business strategies.