Digital-Driven Design Thinking as a Catalyst for Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability in Oil and Gas Industry.
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Today, the Nigerian oil and gas industry is grappling with several issues, including operational inefficiency, environmental sustainability, and the need for digital transformation. Traditional engineering solutions are inadequate when dealing with the complex interplay between technological innovation, human-centred problem solving and sustainable operational practices. This study was designed to investigate the application of digital driven DT within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria for the benefit of the operation of the oil and gas organizations to minimize impact on the environment and enhance the organization's operation. The study employed a cross-sectional survey research design, which was quantified. The total population and sample size were 420 and 205, respectively, while the retrieved questionnaire and valid responses were 195 and 188, respectively. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were employed for data analysis. The results showed that digital experimentation has a tremendous positive impact on operational efficiency, with predictive maintenance, process optimization, and less downtime. Human-centred digital problem solving proved to be a very good predictor for operational efficiency, since it supports adaptive decision-making and employee participation. The research revealed that cross-functional digital collaboration will have a positive impact on environmental sustainability aspects, such as emissions monitoring, coordinated decision-making and resource optimization. The paper applies digital-driven DT to the oil and gas industry and shows that for sustainable operational performance, it is not enough to adopt the technology, but organisations must have collaborative and human-centred processes.
Downloads
References
Adekunle, S. A., & Akhimien, O. G. (2023). Technological environment and sustainable performance of oil and gas firms: A structural equation modelling approach. Future Business Journal, 9(24), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-023-00204-5
Aghalino, S. O. (2012). Oil, gas exploration, and environmental degradation in Nigeria. Ibadan, Nigeria: Heinemann Educational Books.
Akinwale, Y. O., Adepoju, A. O., & Ayoade, O. E. (2020). Digital transformation and operational efficiency in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Journal of Energy Technologies and Policy, 10(4), 45–58.
Bento, F. (2018). Complexity in the oil and gas industry: A study into exploration and exploitation in integrated operations. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 4(11), 1–17.
Bharadwaj, A., El Sawy, O. A., Pavlou, P. A., & Venkatraman, N. (2013). Digital business strategy: Toward a next generation of insights. MIS Quarterly, 37(2), 471–482.
Bindeeba, D.S., Tukamushaba, E.K. & Bakashaba, R, ((2025). Digital transformation and its multidimensional impact on sustainable business performance: evidence from a meta-analytic review. Futur Bus J 11, 90 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-025-00511-z
Bocken, N. M. P., Short, S. W., Rana, P., & Evans, S. (2016). A literature and practice review to develop sustainable business model archetypes. Journal of Cleaner Production, 65, 42–56.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.11.039
Boschert, S., & Rosen, R. (2016). Digital twin—the simulation aspect. In F. Ameri & D. Dutta (Eds.), Product lifecycle management: The case of the digital twin (pp. 59–74). Springer.
Brown, T., & Wyatt, J. (2010). Design thinking for social innovation. Stanford Social Innovation Review, 8(1), 30–35.
Evans, J. R., & Mathur, A. (2018). The value of online surveys. Internet Research, 28(4), 854–887. https://doi.org/10.1108/IntR-03-2017-0083
Haouel, C., & Nemeslaki, A. (2023). Digital transformation in oil and gas industry: Opportunities and challenges. Periodica Polytechnica Social and Management Sciences. https://doi.org/10.3311/PPso.20830
International Energy Agency. (2025). Digitalization and energy sector transformation report. IEA Publishing.
Kolko, J. (2015). Design thinking comes of age. Harvard Business Review, 93(9), 66–71.
KPMG. (2023). Digital transformation in the energy and natural resources sector. KPMG Insights Report.
Martin, R. L. (2009). The design of business: Why design thinking is the next competitive advantage. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Press.
McKinsey & Company. (2023). The next frontier of innovation in industrial operations. McKinsey Global Institute.
Nwachukwu, M. C., Ozobialu, B. C., Ebitimi, P., Nwosu, J. & Nwokoro, E. C. (2025). Causes
Nwanyanwu, H. D. & Daibi, O. W. (2025). Oil production and econpomic development in Niger Delta (2000 - 2025). Africa Journal of Environmental and Sustainable Development, 3(4), 1 - 15
Okonta, I., & Douglas, O. (2003). Where vultures feast: Shell, human rights, and oil in the Niger Delta. San Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Books.
Onwuka, A., & Chukwu, E. (2025). Impact of digital transformation on operational efficiency and sustainability in the oil and gas industry. University of Lagos Research Publication.
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). New York, NY: Free Press.
Sterman, J. D. (2000). Business dynamics: Systems thinking and modeling for a complex world. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.
that can be Implemented. Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 10(2), 45 - 55.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2011). Environmental assessment of Ogoniland. Nairobi, Kenya: UNEP.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2021). Making peace with nature. Nairobi, Kenya: UNEP.
United Nations Environment Programme. (2024). Environmental sustainability challenges in the Niger Delta region. UNEP Report.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles published in our journal are licensed under CC-BY 4.0, which permits authors to retain copyright of their work. This license allows for unrestricted use, sharing, and reproduction of the articles, provided that proper credit is given to the original authors and the source.