Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) and the Role of Data Mining in Sustainable Digital Enterprises

Abstract

The increasing integration of digital technologies in business has amplified the strategic importance of data mining as a tool for achieving sustainability. Anchored in the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV), this study examines how data mining contributes to building sustainable digital enterprises by fostering environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and long-term economic viability. NRBV suggests that firms can develop a sustained competitive advantage by cultivating capabilities that are rare, valuable, inimitable, and organized around ecological and social resources. Data mining, when strategically deployed, enhances organizational intelligence by extracting actionable insights from vast digital datasets. These insights can reduce resource inefficiencies, optimize energy consumption, minimize waste in production and supply chains, and promote eco-friendly decision making. Moreover, data mining supports social sustainability by analysing consumer preferences for green products, improving transparency in reporting and enabling more ethical business practices. Economically, the integration of predictive analytics allows firms to identify new market opportunities, strengthen resilience, and balance profit with sustainability imperatives. This theoretical exploration highlights that the synergy between NRBV and data mining equips digital enterprises to transform sustainability challenges into opportunities for innovation and differentiation. The paper underscores that sustainability in digital environments requires not only technological adoption but also a strategic alignment with ecological and social considerations, where data mining becomes a critical enabler. By framing data mining practices through the NRBV lens, this study provides a pathway for enterprises to achieve sustainable growth in an increasingly digitalized global economy.