Sustainability and Organizational Scaling: A Systematic Review of Antecedents, Processes, and Outputs

Organizational scaling is an increasingly studied subject with an emerging body of scholarly literatures reviewing the definitions, antecedents, processes, and outputs of scaling organizations, yet the literature remains fragmented. This paper focuses on organizational scaling, defined as the "organizational process
whereby managers rapidly expand a firm’s outputs by transforming the internal organization and leveraging digital resources without a corresponding ex-ante increase in inputs" (Coviello et al., 2024, p. 2).

Existing research looks at scaling from a generalized perspective, and the need for context-specific scaling research is crucially important (Greene and Rosiello, 2020). Notably, there is limited empirical research on how scaling intersects with sustainability (Kim and Kim, 2022; Palmié et al., 2023; Tippman et al., 2023). Despite the numerous organizational and economic benefits that scaling organizations can generate, several questions remain unanswered, including the relationship between scaling and sustainability, as well as the empirical evidence supporting this connection. Palmié et al. state that “scaling is crucial to conserve our planet, reduce social inequalities, and have companies contribute to the
transition toward a more sustainable and more just economy” (2023, p. 10).”
This paper examines organizational scaling through a sustainability lens, addressing a critical gap in the literature concerning the relationship between scaling activities and economic, social, and environmental outputs. While prior studies have explored the mechanics of scaling, limited attention has been paid to how antecedents, processes, and outputs align with broader sustainability objectives. To address this, we conducted a systematic review of 53 peer-reviewed articles using a PRISMA approach, focusing on how antecedents, processes, and outcomes of scaling intersect with sustainability. The findings reveal inconsistencies between the stated sustainability focus of scaling studies and the extent to which sustainability is empirically measured. In response, the paper proposes a framework that clarifies the mechanisms through which firms scale and the extent to which scaling delivers sustainable outcomes.
This synthesis contributes a more integrated conceptual understanding of business scaling and pinpoints where future research should explore the trade-offs and synergies between growth, replication, and impact. Our work offers guidance for scholars and practitioners seeking to align scaling strategies with the urgent need for sustainable development.