The internet of things and human sustainability between theory and practice: is it time to bridge the gap?

The internet of things (IoT) stands as a disruptive technology that offers unique opportunities for organisations to increase their competitive advantage. Still, several barriers in its implementation emerge, like privacy concerns. The paper aims at investigating how IoT can be used balancing the need to improve companies’ performance safeguarding, at the same time, the sustainability of work conditions for employees. Thematic and content analysis is used to assess both practitioners’ as well as scholars’ works. Results demonstrate how IoT has the potential to enhance human sustainability by reducing stress and anxiety, facilitating some tasks, entailing a fairer performance assessment, and even contributing to work and life balance. A proactive role by organisations and policymakers is required to overcome barriers like the lack of privacy, by translating the benefits of the new technology to its users. A win-win strategy can boost the value for the organisation and its people.