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Production systems are being restructured to close production cycles via implementing circular economy (CE) practices. The planted tree industry in Brazil has shown potential for applying CE practices due to its efficient use of resources and inclination towards environmental innovation. However, some gaps and difficulties have been observed in several industrial segments so that the logic of the circular production system is put into practice more effectively and intensely. In this context, the aim was to investigate the use and impacts of CE practices in the Brazilian planted tree industry by sector of operation and scale of enterprises based on the ReSOLVE framework. Data were collected from 34 companies that answered a questionnaire, corresponding to 47.2% of Brazilian planted tree industry companies. Data analysis involved univariate and multivariate statistical techniques, considering the grouping of companies by sector of activity (forest producer, pulp and paper, and timber processing) and scale (small, medium, and large). The results revealed that "pulp and paper" and medium- and large-scale companies had the most significant application of CE practices and reported more significant impacts. [Display omitted] • Explores a segmented analysis of the circular economy by scale and sub-sector groups. • Scores of circular practices and their impacts are presented according to the groups. • The association between circular practices and impacts by group are analyzed. • Propositions to enable the adoption of circular practices are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent statistics indicate that as of 2023, the global renewable energy capacity has reached new heights, with Saudi Arabia significantly contributing to this growth through its strategic initiatives. The kingdom is particularly focusing on harnessing solar power, given its abundant sunlight, and is also exploring wind energy, leveraging its vast desert landscapes. These efforts are part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to become a global leader in renewable energy. This paper provides a detailed exploration of Saudi Arabia's ambitious journey from a fossil-fuel-dominated energy sector to a more sustainable, renewable-energy-driven future. Anchored in the broader context of global energy trends, the study emphasizes the critical shift toward renewable resources, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia's unique position in this global movement. Key to this transition is Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a strategic framework that guides the country's renewable energy policies and initiatives. A comprehensive review of these policies, including other governmental and international collaborations that support renewable energy development, is offered. The current state of renewable energy in Saudi Arabia is assessed, including an overview of existing projects and production statistics. The paper also explores emerging technologies such as energy storage systems and smart grid solutions, emphasizing their role in Saudi Arabia's energy transition. An impact assessment is conducted to understand the environmental, economic, and social effects of this energy shift. The paper also includes a comparative analysis of other countries' renewable energy transitions, extracting lessons and best practices applicable to the Saudi context. Strategic recommendations and reflections on Saudi Arabia's future role in the global energy landscape are provided for stakeholders in energy policy, environmental planning, and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green transition in the sustainable production and processing of polymers poses multifaceted challenges that demand integral comprehensive solutions. Specific problems of presences of toxic trace elements are often missed and this prevents shifting towards eco-friendly alternatives. Therefore, substantial research and the development of novel approaches is needed to discover and implement innovative, sustainable production materials and methods. This paper is focused on the most vital problems of the green transition from the aspect of establishing universally accepted criteria for the characterization and classification of eco-friendly polymers, which is essential to ensuring transparency and trust among consumers. Additionally, the recycling infrastructure needs substantial improvement to manage the end-of-life stage of polymer products effectively. Moreover, the lack of standardized regulations and certifications for sustainable polymers adds to the complexity of this problem. In this paper we propose solutions from the aspect of standardization protocols for the characterization of polymers foreseen as materials that should be used in Zero Energy Innovations in Hydrogen Storage. The role model standards originate from eco-labeling procedures for materials that come into direct or prolonged contact with human skin, and that are monitored by different methods and testing procedures. In conclusion, the challenges of transitioning to green practices in polymer production and processing demands a concerted effort from experts in the field which need to emphasize the problems of the analysis of toxic ultra trace and trace impurities in samples that will be used in hydrogen storage, as trace impurities may cause terrific obstacles due to their decreasing the safety of materials. Overcoming these obstacles requires the development and application of current state-of-the-art methodologies for monitoring the quality of polymers during their recycling, processing, and using, as well as the development of other technological innovations, financial initiatives, and a collective commitment to fostering a sustainable and environmentally responsible future for the polymer industry and innovations in the field of zero energy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research paper is to engage with the ongoing scientific discourse surrounding the impact of electronic human resources management (EHRM) technology on organizational sustainability, performance, and innovation within the context of the dynamic Saudi Arabian hospitality industry. Drawing upon a quantitative research methodology, this study seeks to unveil the intricate relationship between the latent variable (e-HRM) and the dependent variables, namely, organizational innovation, organizational performance, and organizational sustainability. The systematic organization of literary sources and research approaches underpins the comprehensive nature of this study, which holds particular relevance against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 development plan. The plan envisions diversifying the economy, reducing dependence on oil, and fostering sustainable growth -- objectives that resonate strongly with the challenges and opportunities within the hospitality sector. The paper progresses logically, employing robust statistical software such as SPSS version 25 and SmartPLS 3.3.5 to rigorously evaluate and test the measuring and structural models. This meticulous approach includes hypothesis testing to assess indicators' reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The study meticulously examines a sample of 438 employees within the Saudi hospitality industry. Methodological tools, including detection analyses and correlation analysis, are deployed to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the data. The Saudi hospitality industry is strategically selected for its pivotal role in job creation, economic prosperity, and overall image projection. Empirical analysis forms the crux of this paper, revealing compelling results that underscore the positive and significant influence of e-HRM technologies on organizational innovation, organizational performance, and organizational sustainability. The model's robust fit, as evidenced by the SRMR value of 0.074 and the NFI score of 0.911, accentuates the reliability and validity of the research. Furthermore, the paper employs the blindfolding technique to assess the model's predictive validity, revealing effect sizes of 0.223, 0.109, and 0.439 for organizational innovation, organizational performance, and organizational sustainability, respectively. This research not only empirically confirms but also theoretically substantiates the pivotal role of e-HRM technologies in shaping organizational outcomes. By delving into the mediating relationship between organizational performance and organizational innovation, this study contributes significantly to understanding how e-HRM technologies can be a catalyst for organizational sustainability in the unique context of the Saudi hospitality industry. Beyond the academic realm, the findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, industry professionals, and stakeholders, aligning with the overarching goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to foster sustainable growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review paper offers a comprehensive exploration of the symbiotic relationship between sustainable ground transportation and the dynamic realm of e-commerce. It delves into the critical intersection of environmental sustainability, technological innovation, and the evolving landscape of online commerce. This review synthesises cutting-edge technologies and strategies aimed at reducing energy requirements and environmental impacts in ground transportation. It explores advancements in lightweight materials, aerodynamics, and alternative fuels, emphasising their potential to mitigate the environmental footprint of vehicles. Additionally, the transition towards zero-emission vehicles, including battery-operated and fuel-cell vehicles, is analysed, taking into account both short-term and long-term outlooks. Simultaneously, the paper delves into the evolving landscape of e-commerce, which has become an integral part of modern consumer behaviour. It investigates the influence of e-commerce on ground transportation practices, emphasising the importance of efficient logistics, last-mile delivery, and sustainability in meeting the demands of the digital commerce era. By providing a holistic view of the challenges and opportunities at the nexus of sustainable ground transportation and e-commerce, this review paper offers valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders striving to shape a more sustainable and responsive future for ground transportation in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From powering our homes to driving our economies, energy lies at the heart of humanity's complex challenges in the modern era. This paper reviews the evolution of smart energy systems, examining their technological advancements and societal implications while proposing a future design framework emphasizing four key pillars: holistic resource optimization, adaptive intelligence, environmental harmony, and human-centered design. While they offer numerous benefits, such as enhanced energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions, smart energy systems also face challenges. These include cybersecurity risks, the complexity of integrating diverse energy sources seamlessly, high upfront costs, and potential compatibility issues arising from evolving technologies. Overcoming these challenges will be crucial for unleashing the full potential of smart energy systems and facilitating their global adoption. Abundant opportunities for further research and development exist in this domain, awaiting exploration and advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global agricultural production is facing unprecedented challenges as the environment becomes increasingly polluted. Governments, scientists, companies and farmers are beginning to focus on appropriate environmental remediation and sustainable agricultural technologies and practices. Innovative environmental adaptation/remediation technologies have been developed and validated, including physical/chemical remediation, green sorbents and bioremediation. The development of environmental remediation technologies has provided additional tools and methods for global agri-environment and food security. The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together 21 cutting-edge research papers covering the latest developments in soil conditions, inorganic pollution, organic pollution, remediation technologies and monitoring methods. The four themes of the Special Issue are "Improvement of agricultural soil properties", "Remediation of potentially toxic element pollution", "Remediation of organic pollution" and "Ecosystem and crop assessment". Based on the results of this Special Issue, we find that combining the latest environmental pollution problems with advanced remediation technologies, continuously promoting technological innovation and policy support, and developing integrated new technologies for environmental protection will be future areas of research for sustainable agro-environmental development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives set in the European Green Deal constitute the starting point of this review, which then focuses on the current implementation gap between agro-industrial wastes as resources for large-scale bioprocesses (e.g., baker's yeast, bioethanol, citric acid, and amino acids). This review highlights the current lack of sustainability of the post-harvest processing of grapes and apples. In light of the European Green Deal, industrial biotechnology often lacks sustainability as well. We reviewed the recent progress reported in the literature to enhance the valorization of grape and apple pomace and the current failure to implement this research in technical processes. Nevertheless, selected recent papers show new perspectives to bridge this gap by establishing close collaborations between academic teams and industrial partners. As a final outcome, for the first time, we drew a circular flow diagram that connects agriculture post-harvest transformation with the industrial biotechnology and other industries through the substantial valorization of apple and grape pomace into renewable energy (solid biofuels) and sugar extracts as feedstock for large-scale bioprocesses (production of baker's yeast industry, citric acid, bioethanol and amino acids). Finally, we discussed the requirements needed to achieve the successful bridging of the implementation gap between academic research and industrial innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, innovations introduced in companies that are exposed to a complex business environment are a hot topic of discussion. Their growth and sustainability are intrinsically linked to innovation processes. In order for enterprises to move forward, this very issue with its emphasis on strategic sustainability in such enterprises represents, in our view, a research gap that needs to be continuously explored in greater depth. In the present paper, we focus on Slovak enterprises that are based on the development of new products in Slovakia and which are also part of a stagnant innovation environment. Attention is drawn to selected aspects influencing innovation in enterprises, which should be perceived by companies not as a burden, but as an intrinsic need for their further development and their sustainability in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document seeks to highlight the relevance of innovation as a collective process, supported by the efforts of multiple actors - public, private and organized civil society - in the construction of a sustainable future. That is to say, innovation is analysed under an approach towards the construction of a sustainable future, based on a shared responsibility, which implies the expansion of governance mechanisms, with an inclusive view, that respects and values the environmental, social and economic dimensions. Therefore, we argue that thinking about advances in knowledge on this topic implies recognizing the relevance of the diversity of perspectives and joint decision-making and actions, in addition to recognizing the factors that facilitate or limit sustainable innovation. In this sense, this special issue of the GECONTEC Journal presents four selected papers from the Congress of the Latin-Iberoamerican Association of Technological and Innovation Management (ALTEC 2021), whose evidence corroborates what we propose here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to propose an improved hesitation fuzzy multi-attribute decision-making method to realize green supply chain member selection under green innovation vision. The method uses hesitation fuzzy sets to express decision information of decision makers, takes green innovation capability as the evaluation perspective, and selects green innovation input, synergy of subjects in green supply chain, green innovation output capability, institutional innovation capability of enterprises in green supply chain, and green innovation sustainability as the indexes to evaluate the green innovation capability of enterprises. The multi-attribute decision method proposed in this paper takes into account the shortcomings of the original hesitant fuzzy multi-attribute decision method considering attribute weight optimization in the determination of attribute weights and scheme ranking, then proposes a three-point estimation method for scheme ranking and optimizes the attribute weights by quantifying the balance coefficients of the original decision method. Finally, an example is used to verify the rationality and effectiveness of the proposed method, and a comparison with the original method is made to highlight the advantages of this paper's method. This paper provides a certain theoretical basis for the selection of members in green supply chains, which helps the selection of members in green supply chains and provides some insight for similar hesitant fuzzy multi-attribute decision-making problems in other fields. In future research, the method proposed in this paper can be considered to combine with probabilistic hesitant fuzzy sets and some other fuzzy sets for method extensions to solve multi-attribute decision-making problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) in Mukono District, Central Uganda. However, sustainable food security production is an inevitable pillar toward environmental conservation and efficient rural livelihoods. Nevertheless, there is a need for robust capacity building and a change of generational perspectives toward agriculture. This research examines the adoption of SAPs among coffee farmers in Uganda. It focused on socio-economic and environmental factors leading to the adoption of SAPs among coffee farmers. The methodology used was a descriptive research design. Questionnaires and an interview guide were used for data collection from 60 respondents--three extension workers and 57 coffee farmers of Mukono district--who were randomly selected and data was analyzed using SPSS software. The study showed that land ownership has a direct influence on the adoption of SAPs. It was also found that 58% of the coffee farmers who participated in the study have between 5-10 acres of land. Additionally, these results indicate that the perception of soil fertility benefits and rainfall precipitation promotes the adoption of SAPs. However, land size and ownership are determinant factors for the adoption of SAPs. In addition to various programs by associations and cooperatives, through non-governmental organizations and government-led initiatives, to offer technical and financial support along with capacity building, it is recommended that such programs prioritize more incentives for land access. This will improve land ownership problems, space to apply farming innovative technologies, and capacity building in order to enhance SAP adoption and hence improve livelihood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability is at the heart of the concept of the common home. By prioritizing sustainability, we can create a better common home and ensure the well-being of present and future generations. However, there is a dilemma in the interpretation of sustainability, which is mainly characterized by the irreconcilability between "weak sustainability" and "strong sustainability". The dilemma is partly rooted in some Western philosophical traditions such as the Western separatist mindset, anthropocentrism, and technological solutionism, which have contributed to human subjugation. This paper proposes Confucian eco-ethics to resolve this dilemma. First, Confucian eco-ethics embraces the holistic worldview of "anthropocosmic" that establishes an ontological understanding of the interconnectedness and interdependence between humans and nature, which transcends the Western dichotomy of subject and object and resolves the dualism between human beings and nature. Second, Confucian eco-ethics advocates "pushing oneself to all things" and considers human beings and nature as an ethical community, which emphasizes the ethical responsibility of human beings to protect nature, thus remedying the dilemma that anthropocentrism and ecocentrism have too little or too much responsibility for nature. Third, Confucianism endorses benevolence as a core value for managing technology to achieve sustainable development, and it favors a comprehensive approach that combines technological innovation, values reform, and institutional reform to solve ecological problems. To do this, we analyze the Dujiangyan Water Hydro-Project Hydraulic Project as a case study to illustrate the practical feasibility of Confucian eco-ethics in achieving sustainable development. The conclusion suggests that Confucian eco-ethics can enrich and expand sustainability theory, offering an alternative pathway for a better common home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus has emerged as a crucial framework for addressing the interdependencies and trade-offs between these vital resources. In the context of a just energy transition, where the pursuit of sustainable and equitable energy systems is paramount, understanding the WEF nexus becomes even more critical. We explore the evolving concept of the WEF nexus and its relevance to achieving a sustainable energy transition that considers social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic development. This paper highlights key challenges and opportunities in implementing a just energy transition within the context of the WEF nexus, with a focus on promoting social inclusion, ensuring water and food security, and optimizing energy production and consumption. Additionally, we discuss the importance of integrated policymaking, cross-sectoral collaboration, and innovative technologies in addressing the complex interactions between water, energy, and food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating the determinants of environmental sustainability has become a very attractive and popular area of research in response to the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs) and COP26 targets. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to explore the effects of renewable energy, technological innovation, and the insurance market on environmental sustainability in the United States (US). This work contributes to the extant body of knowledge by exploring the effect of the insurance market on the load capacity factor (LC), specifically regarding the US. The LC tracks a certain ecological threshold by simultaneously comparing biocapacity and ecological footprint (EF), thereby providing a comprehensive empirical analysis of ecological sustainability determinants. However, this proxy includes the combined attributes of the demand and supply sides of ecological sustainability. Using the recently developed autoregressive distributed lag method, this research reveals that the insurance market adversely affects the LC in the US. The overall outcomes highlight the positive role of renewable energy, technological innovation, and the insurance market in achieving the SDGs and COP26 targets. Policy recommendations for policymakers concerning promoting renewable energy, green innovation activities, the green insurance market, and ecological regulations are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of new transformational technology, known as the fourth industrial revolution, has crucially opened a new window to green economic growth. The transition to low carbon, green economy, and green sustainability has gained momentum simultaneously in developed and developing countries. The greening policy echoes the pending climate change and its entrenching disruptions. Financial technology, or FinTech seems to be a promising direction in unlocking the green dilemma; to be concrete, FinTech and the green economy are separately documented in the literature. Against this background, the current study investigates the intersection between green economic growth and FinTech by conducting a systematic-cum-bibliometric analysis of published papers in the Scopus database with the goal of first examining the role and opportunities of implementing green FinTech as a stimulus for transition towards green economic growth in African countries and, second, identifying knowledge gaps and future policy and research directions by developing an integrated framework to help African countries in the transition to green economic growth and green FinTech. The results illustrate an increasing trend in research attention towards the green FinTech concept and its relationship with green economic growth, climate change, and greening rules and standards. A deep inspection of the mined papers indicates that future research trajectories are oriented into five different mainstreams: technology and instruments in digital finance; regulation, policies, and green FinTech; climate risk mitigation through FinTech; FinTech and environmental quality; green finance and climate change mitigation. Based on these research directions, an integrated framework was conceptualised that aims to deliver green economic growth using FinTech as a vehicle of transition for African countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper helps in determining the critical success factors (CSFs) for sustainability financial technology business. An attempt is made to study the influence of were found CSFs to be key aspects of a business that must go well to ensure the success of an organization. These CSFs include issues that are vital to a company's operating activities and its future success. The study collected data from 253 respondents through a structured questionnaire. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling has been adopted to analyze the data through SmartPLSv3. For better understanding, we emphasize that companies within the same industry may exhibit different CSFs due to anomalies in their environmental situation or strategic situations, which might pose as a challenge for this study and the future exploration towards a general set of CSFs for sustainability fintech companies. The research concluded the presented seven CSFs with the following customer centricity, low profit margin, agility, scalability, security management, innovation, and compliance easy. The findings of the paper are beneficial for fintech enterprises and marketers to enhance the awareness and advantages of financial technology according to the needs of consumers and add value to the existing literature on the future sustainable financial technology businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This review seeks to understand how scientific research on trace elements in beef cattle has been developed and how the interaction of this theme with topics related to animal, environmental and human health has been established. Given the duality of many of the trace elements, being known as nutrients in small amounts or toxic when they exceed small concentrations, we brought the One Health perspective to analyse how researchers approach this research theme. In this work, we propose a path through scientific production to promote innovation, sustainability of animal production, food safety and human health. The objective was to investigate the context, approach and research topics present in the papers that analysed trace elements in beef cattle to identify gaps and scientific perspectives for the sustainable management of trace elements in livestock. The main research groups came from the United States, Spain, Japan, Brazil, India and Slovakia, which represented 31% of the papers produced. Only 37% of studies addressed aspects that integrated animal, environmental and human health. The reviewed papers concerned 56 elements and 15 bovine tissues (Cu, Zn, Pb, liver, muscle and kidney highlighted). The main gaps were (1) lack of research in developing countries, (2) the need to understand the impact of different environmental issues and their relationship to the conditions in which animals are raised, and (3) the need to understand the role of many trace elements in animal nutrition and their relationship to environmental and human health. Finally, we highlight possible ways to expand knowledge and provide innovations for broad emerging issues, primarily through expanding collaborative research networks. In this context, we suggest the adoption of the One Health approach for planning further research on trace elements in livestock. Moreover, the One Health approach should also be considered for managers and politicians for a sustainable environmental care and food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This conceptual study explores the alignment between servitization—a shift from selling products to offering services—and circularity principles. The study introduces institutional confluence—a configuration of institutional pressures that enhance business model legitimacy to stakeholders and facilitate operational success— which can serve as a driver aligning servitization with circular principles. Institutional confluence has the capacity to trigger novel business models, shape resources and processes, enhance value capture, and inhibit unsustainable business models. The study develops the concept and underscores the role of institutional confluence in promoting this alignment and subsequent environmental sustainability. The article utilizes illustrative case examples from servitization and circular business models to develop the concept of institutional confluence serving sustainable servitization. The study offers strategic insights for managers and policymakers, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that integrates servitization and circularity from the outset of business model design. It advocates for policies that leverage regulatory, normative, and mimetic pressures to foster sustainable business practices. The article contributes to the servitization literature by delineating the mechanisms through which institutional forces facilitate or hinder the integration of servitization and circularity, offering directions for future research to explore these dynamics across different contexts and industries. • Management scholars have tended to view the uptake of servitized circular business model frameworks through an internal business model lens, with firm-level innovation capabilities. We look beyond the focal company and consider how business model development interacts with wider societal development. • This paper utilizes institutional influences as explanatory drivers for this process. • The paper introduces the concept of institutional 'confluence', a mutually reinforcing process of interactivity between institutional pressures, for servitized circularity. • Policymakers are encouraged to enhance normative socio-cultural pressures for servitized circularity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, industries are focusing on green habits, with world leaders demanding net zero carbon; clean energy is considered an attractive and viable option. The Internet of things (IoT) is an emerging technology with potential opportunities in the clean energy domain for quality improvement in production and management. Earlier studies on IoTs show evidence that direct adoption of such digital technology is an ordeal and incurs adoption barriers that must be prioritized for effective management. Motivated by the claim, in this paper, the authors attempt to prioritize the diverse adoption barriers with the support of the newly proposed Fermatean fuzzy-based decision framework. Initially, qualitative rating information is collected via questionnaires on barriers and criteria from the circular economy (CE). Later, these are converted to Fermatean fuzzy numbers used by integrated approaches for decision processes. A regret scheme is put forward for determining CE criteria importance, and the barriers are prioritized by using a novel ranking algorithm that incorporates the WASPAS formulation and experts' personal choices during rank estimation. The applicability of the developed framework is testified via a case example. Sensitivity analysis and comparison reveal the merits and limitations of the developed decision model. Results show that labor/workforce skill insufficiency, an ineffective framework for performance, a technology divide, insufficient legislation and control, and lack of time for training and skill practice are the top five barriers that hinder IoT adoption, based on the rating data. Additionally, the criteria such as cost cutting via a reuse scheme, resource circularity, emission control, and scaling profit with green habits are the top four criteria for their relative importance values. From these inferences, the respective authorities in the clean energy sector could effectively plan their strategies for addressing these barriers to promote IoT adoption in the clean energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomimicry is an interdisciplinary approach to study and transfer principles or mechanisms from nature to solve design challenges, frequently differentiated from other design disciplines by its particular focus on and promise of sustainability. However, in the biomimicry and biologically inspired design literature, there are varying interpretations of how and whether biomimetic designs lead to sustainable outcomes and how sustainability, nature, and mimesis are conceptualised and engaged in practice. This paper takes a particular focus on the built environment and presents a theoretical overview of biomimicry literature spanning across specific fields, namely architecture, philosophy, sustainability and design. We develop upon conceptual considerations in an effort to contribute to the growing calls in the literature for more reflective discussions about the nuanced relationship between biomimicry and sustainability. We further develop a 'Biomimicry for Sustainability' framework that synthesises recent reflective deliberations, as a possible direction for further theorisation of biomimicry, aiming to elaborate on the role of biomimicry as a sustainable design methodology and its potential to cultivate more sustainable human-nature relations. The framework is used as a tool for retrospective analysis, based on literature of completed designs, and as a catalyst for biomimetic design thinking. The objective of this paper is to serve as a point of departure for more active and deeper discussions regarding future biomimetic practice in the context of sustainability and transformational change, particularly within the built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 severely impacted small industries in Indonesia and many collapsed. Sustainable education is essential to help small industries recover post-pandemic through an open innovation design program to improve small industries' economic, social, and environmental performance. This paper examined the impacts of the sustainable education program implemented and explored open innovations suitable for the sustainability of small industries in developing countries, such as Indonesia, after the pandemic. This research employed a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach involving academics, government, the community, and four small industries in West Java, Indonesia. Our findings reveal that the sustainable education program through learning activities and direct practice provides valuable knowledge and experience for small industries in designing economic, social, and environmental innovations. Open innovations post-pandemic suitable for small industries in Indonesia include simple business digitalization for company economic growth, the recruitment of people losing their jobs due to the pandemic to achieve social benefits, and innovations in using environmentally friendly packaging and charcoal briquette fuel as an environmental awareness effort. This study recommends that the open innovation designed for small industries be right on target and done using a participatory method to achieve sustainability after the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a case study of Alexandria city, Egypt, this paper investigates the configuration, interrelation, and integration of urban expansion within the framework of sustainability transitions to enhance the performance of sociotechnical transitions. It explores two main arguments; first, to evaluate the recent urban planning innovations, and second, to raise awareness of the participatory planning model to enhance the involvement of the three pillars to better integrate urban sustainable development. It presumes there is a linkage between urban sustainability transitions and the geographical transitions. It further evaluates whether this linkage would benefit accommodating the rapid population growth of Alexandria. This research applies an empirical methodology to test concepts and patterns known from theory generating three scenarios from empirical data. Moving beyond the 'niche–regime dichotomy', this study concludes that innovative practices and vested interests are typically constituted in a dualistic manner and tend to incite processes of change in both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immense success of Bitcoin has also highlighted the hidden potential of blockchains and distributed ledgers in general. However, most blockchains are based on the so-called Proof-of-Work principle, which requires significant resources, making them unsuitable for the growing number of Internet of Things devices, not to mention other problems such as ensuring privacy and resistance to quantum computing. This paper, therefore, analyses current approaches in the field of ledgers with applications for the Internet of Things. Based on this, it presents a new ledger architecture for cultural heritage preservation that is energy sustainable and tailored to smartphones while pushing the deployment boundaries closer to the rest of the Internet of Things world. It is also resistant to quantum computing and provides privacy with accountability. Moreover, the developed solution considers not only the core technological structure but also its broader social (business) context, i.e., links to the tourism sector. This is performed by incorporating the relevant business model, as business models are important for the successful adoption of new technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable development of agriculture in the context of innovative transformation of productive forces and structural changes is recognized as one of the directions of the National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation. Mechanisms for stimulating technological change and increasing efficiency should be aimed at achieving sustainable production criteria. The purpose of the study is to develop conceptual aspects of managing the sustainable development of agriculture using the example of livestock industries in conditions of structural transformation and technological changes. The article examines theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of problems of sustainable development of agriculture. An analysis was carried out and an assessment was made of the dynamics of crop yields and livestock production. Significant structural shifts and technological changes in the livestock subcomplex of Russia, caused by the processes of diffusion of innovations, have been identified. The authors have developed conceptual approaches to studying the problems of sustainable agricultural development in regional agricultural systems based on effective management. The main objectives of the proposed concepts are: expansion of production volumes of agricultural products, taking into account the needs of the region and export opportunities; technical and technological modernization of agricultural organizations and achieving an innovative balance of resources; compliance with the principles of rational environmental management and achieving environmental safety. The practical value of the results lies in the possibility of forming a strategy for the sustainable development of regional agricultural systems in the conditions of structural transformation and technological changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry has experienced phenomenal growth because of technological advancements in the past couple of decades. Prefabrication constitutes a sizeable share of this industry and is being adopted all over the world. The method of casting construction elements in a controlled environment and assembling them on-site has revolutionised the industry. Research on various aspects of the technology is ongoing around the world, and an impressive number of articles have been published. However, the prefab technology, materials used, and terminology have varied across locations, which may have hindered the method's wider acceptability. By evaluating technical articles published between 1991 and 2022, this report analyses the present body of knowledge regarding prefab technology, its evolution, sustainability, and stakeholder views. This technology effectively contributes around 40% in time saving, 27% in cost reduction, 30% in reduced carbon emissions, and 84% in on-site wastage reduction. It also increases quality, gives a dependable alternative for meeting mass construction targets, is energy efficient, and provides environmentally conscious options. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a snapshot of the prefab industry spanning three decades, detailing a wide range of factors affecting the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 pandemic, global trends, and technological advancements lead to the perception that digitalization is about the most sustainable means of growing Africa's agribusiness and food supply chains. Many global agribusinesses have successfully integrated digital technologies to enhance operational efficiencies and business relations with their upstream and downstream actors. However, evidence is scant on the uptake of digital technologies among small and medium agribusiness firms in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Against this backdrop, this review paper identifies research gaps regarding the adoption and implication of digitalization in building sustainable food systems for African economies. Our preliminary finds show some sustainable practices in the SSA food supply chains by adopting specific technologies related to production, grain storage, food waste management, and warehouse management but very low adoption of food processing technologies and digital marketing platforms. Most importantly, the application of the Internet of Things, Big data, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and/or Business Analytics is very rare. Most of the digitalization process tends to be mobile-based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in green building technologies (GBTs) have grown substantially, as an outcome of the environmental, economic and societal benefits. It has the potential to move toward sustainable development, specifically related to climate change. In GBTs, the main objective is to use energy, water and other resources in a balanced way, without using them extensively. This will improve the environmental conditions. Green buildings (GBs) are beneficial when it comes to energy consumption and emissions; low maintenance and operation costs; boosting health and productivity; etc. There is a lack of a critical review of the past or present research work in the area of the Green Building Technology (GBT) sector to identify the future roadmap for sustainable green building technologies. A critical review, with the help of proper research methodology, was identified. The scope of this study is to analyze the existing work on different issues, and find different key issues in green building research, which has minimal use of natural resources, is cost-effective and is designed and constructed for a longer duration, considering future prospects. This paper examines the state of green building construction today and makes recommendations for further study and development which will be necessary for a sustainable future. In order to encourage research, this study also identified a few possible future research directions in sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past 3 decades, the emerging technology in manufacturing sector other than conventional manufacturing is additive manufacturing (AM). The additive manufacturing principle was completely born from the research gaps of conventional manufacturing concepts such that the elimination of wastage and produce the component layer upon layer. Every new technology obtains the sustainability that may consider in the supply chain management principle of the raw material to finished products and decision-making techniques are to reach the consumer or customer as properly and periodically but these things are addressed challenges in additive manufacturing. This review paper aims to narrate the common research gaps on additive manufacturing, the structure of the supply chain management on AM, MCDM tools/techniques, AM application in different fields, challenges of selection of additive manufacturing, AM processes, and its application. The traditional method of literature review has been used for this review. The outcome of this review has helped the new researcher's decision making on the AM various problems as easily and the new researchers may give the experimental solution for explored research gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing urgency of environmental problems, such as climate change, pollution, and waste management, has highlighted the importance of eco-innovation. It includes the development of sustainable solutions for goods and services. As corporations adopt sustainability practices, governments are increasingly essential in propelling eco-innovation. Innovation and economic growth are inextricably linked since innovation helps reduce costs, increases productivity, and builds knowledge. Eco-innovation, requiring stakeholders' collaboration and knowledge sharing where public policy plays a critical role in fostering eco-innovation, is frequently catalyzed by climate change and environmental issues. This paper provides an assessment of the public policy of several countries and its part in promoting eco-innovation. It explores how policy tools such as research and development investments, regulations, incentives, and infrastructure can be used successfully. It also explores how such instruments influence small and medium enterprises due to their importance in environmental sustainability policy. This research contributes to knowledge and adds to the literature by offering a global approach to the subject, complementing previous regional/single-country studies. It demonstrates the worldwide consequences of policy actions on eco-innovation and provides recommendations for policymakers, businesses, academics, and environmental stakeholders. The results highlight how governmental support is integral to ensuring the sustainability of a green future with economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces an innovative model designed to predict the optimal product prototype within the framework of sustainable development. The model takes into account both quality and environmental impact throughout the entire life cycle of the product, with a specific focus on light electric vehicles. By incorporating customer expectations using the Weighted Sum Model, the model assesses vehicle quality based on the importance of various criteria. Employing life cycle evaluations guided by the Pareto-Lorenz rule, environmental impact for vehicle prototypes is modeled. The resulting Quality-Environmental Indicator of LCA (QLCA) facilitates a qualitative environmental analysis, aiding in the selection of prototypes that align with customer expectations. The model proves effective in guiding decisions related to product development, providing a comprehensive approach to evaluating product value. Notable contributions to the scientific community include the introduction of the QLCA model, which integrates quality and environmental assessments, and underscores the significance of open innovation, sustainable development, and sensitivity analysis for organizational adaptation. Future research directions involve adapting the model to larger customer samples, exploring production costs, and assessing its applicability across diverse industries and contexts to enhance its universality and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Survey of CAV anomaly diagnosis from anomaly detection and anomaly interpretation. • Taxonomies of anomaly detection based on concept of normality and CAV applications. • Clarification of the concept of anomaly interpretation. • Anomaly interpretation combining the analysis of road vehicle safety risks. • Comprehensive and detailed review of recent advances for CAV anomaly diagnosis. Connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) are revolutionizing the development of transportation due to their potential to improve transportation performance in many ways, such as enhanced traffic mobility, road compacity, operation safety, and environmental sustainability. Nevertheless, the issue of road vehicle safety in CAVs remains to be fully solved. Data collected from multiple sources provide information about the internal status of the system and the situation of its surroundings, and the occurrence of data anomalies indicates the existence of potential safety risks. Thus, anomaly diagnosis is of major importance to analyze the nature or cause of underlying safety risks and provide insightful information for the subsequent decision-making that ensures safety. Anomaly diagnosis consists of two basic tasks: anomaly detection and anomaly interpretation. In this paper, both of these two tasks are comprehensively surveyed. For anomaly detection, the following four aspects are covered: 1) formalized definition of an anomaly, 2) classification of anomalies, 3) taxonomies of anomaly detection techniques, and 4) review of recent advances for anomaly detection in CAV applications. For anomaly interpretation, related works are investigated in the context of 1) the anomaly detection process, and 2) the tested/monitored system/process, respectively. The novelty particularly lies in the latter, where the interpretation of anomalies combining the analysis of road vehicle safety risks is presented, and related works for anomaly interpretation in CAV applications are reviewed by analyzing 1) functional safety risks, 2) safety of the intended functionality (SOTIF) risks, and 3) cyber security risks, respectively. Finally, open issues, challenges, future directions, and emerging technologies for anomaly diagnosis in CAVs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical industry is one of the fundamental industries of economic development. Coordinating the relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions (EGCE) is crucial in realizing the carbon neutrality target. The Tapio model and decomposition models are used to assess the degree of decoupling within the Chinese chemical industry and identify pivotal factors impeding progress. The energy efficiency decomposition model explores the crux of failure to achieve strong decoupling. This framework further decomposed the energy intensity to uncover how technical efficiency, technological progress, and input substitution changes affect energy intensity and CO 2 emission. The paper found that the EGCE of the chemical industry were stable in a weak decoupling mode from 2009 to 2019. The reliance on technological progress to reduce energy intensity and emissions is insufficient (accounting for only 18.2%), far below the cumulative contribution from economic growth (accounting for 57.76%), which has become the crux of the strong decoupling failure. Technological advancements drive energy substitution for labour, resulting in 244.41 Mt of cumulative carbon emissions. The improper factor input allocation hinders the desired reduction in energy intensity and carbon emissions. A series of policy implications are proposed based on the insights derived from the decomposition analysis to foster sustainable practices in the chemical industry. [Display omitted] • This study focuses on the decoupling in chemical industry. • The decoupling between economic growth and carbon emissions (EGCE) is explored. • The reasons for the failure of strong decoupling from technical perspective are tested. • The decoupling between EGCE of chemical industry was in a weak decoupling mode. • Technological progress accelerated the substitution of energy for labour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were established in 2015, scientists have attempted to utilize them for sustainability assessments. This paper aims to synthesize the existing approaches in order to make recommendations for future utilization. A systematic literature review was conducted, focusing on innovations as the assessment object and including scientific papers as well as gray literature. Of the initially identified 603 documents, 30 articles contained precise descriptions of approaches utilizing the SDGs for the sustainability assessment of innovations. These approaches were analyzed in three sequential steps: categorization of the operational choices of SDG-based sustainability assessments, discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of these operational choices, and finally deriving recommendations for future utilization. We identified two main approaches: (1) integrating the SDGs into the sustainability assessment methodology or (2) subsequently assigning the assessment results to the SDGs. For the first approach, the SDGs were most frequently used as assessment criteria, but were also used to derive benchmarks or select indicators. In the second approach, assessment results were linked to goals, targets or indicators. The majority but not all articles clearly stated that all 17 SDGs were considered. The most frequently mentioned motivation for SDG utilization was to provide a holistic definition of sustainable development, followed by providing a precise description of sustainable development and international recognition. Only the integration of all 17 SDGs into the sustainability assessment conveys all three of these motivations. Hence, this approach is recommended for maximizing the utilization of SDGs when assessing the sustainability of an innovation. Subsequently assigning the assessment results to the SDGs is suggested as an alternative approach if the scientist's time and resources are limited. Since this approach predefines the SDGs that can be linked through the sustainability assessment methodology utilized, the holistic character of the SDGs is forfeited. More generally, the diversity of approaches found in the literature can be explained by several individual limitations and prerequisites. It is therefore recommended that authors document their research motivation transparently and justify the operational choices they made to fulfil it. This study contributes to the scientific community by (a) providing an overview of possible approaches for utilizing the SDGs in sustainability assessments of innovations and (b) providing recommendations for utilization based on a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages. [Display omitted] • Sustainability assessments of innovations utilizing SDGs were systematically reviewed. • Operational choices in SDG utilization were categorized. • More than 10 (sub-)categories of SDG utilization were identified. • Most frequent reason for utilizing SDGs is their holistic nature. • Holistic nature is transferred only by integrating all 17 SDGs into the assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability-oriented innovation is a developing area in the academic literature, and existing measurement models are either lacking in scope or they have not been validated. Following an extensive review of existing academic literature, this paper addresses this gap by developing a new sustainability-oriented innovation scale. The scale includes elements from the triple bottom line, which incorporates social, environmental, and financial considerations. Environmental considerations are further broken down into carbon footprint, pollution, and materials life cycle. Notably, we also separate capability (could we do it), evaluation (do we measure it), and performance (do we put it into practice in our products and services, and operations). As a holistic model we also include strategy, partnerships, and demand. The validity of the scale was tested first through a pilot study with 23 respondents, and second through a survey study with 202 respondents. Scale evaluation tests confirm the consistency, convergent, and discriminant validity of the new sustainability-oriented innovation scale. Both exploratory and confirmatory analysis results confirm that the theorised scale is a good fit for the data. The contribution of this paper is a comprehensive, validated survey instrument to measure the capability of organisations to deliver sustainable innovation. [Display omitted] • We develop a new scale for measuring sustainability-oriented innovation. • The new scale is suitable for a wide range of organisation types. • The new scale separates capability, evaluation and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities can set in motion sustainability transitions through experimentation and innovation. To invest in and mainstream solutions that contribute to urban transformation agendas, urban planners needs to understand which innovations have transformational potential as well as how these innovations can accelerate sustainability transitions. In order to explore this, existing frameworks of transformative capacity provide the guidance, but they are generic, abstract, and challenging to apply for urban planning. As part of our effort to develop a more operational version of the transformative capacity framework by Wolfram (2016), we conducted a systematic scoping review of the academic literature to determine the characteristics of people-based and nature-based low-carbon innovations that constitutes their transformative capacity. After reviewing 65 records, we identified dimensions indicating each of the transformative capacity components through analysis and synthesis. Besides contributing to the science–policy interface through a knowledge synthesis on low-carbon people-based and nature-based innovations, this paper examines bridging frameworks to inform urban planners in developing practical solutions and actionable elements for low-carbon urban futures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper illustrates how a traditional Japanese company, Trusco Nakayama Corporation (hereinafter NKC), strategically focuses on culture and talent operations in order to drive business sustainability and innovation. The authors worked directly with NKC executives, business leaders, organizational architects and talent operators to determine the main components and characteristics of their talent strategy and culture development efforts. The paper further describes how key elements of Japanese culture and traditional Japanese business practices were taken into consideration when developing the corporate strategy for value creation and business growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustained and stable external financing, affected by the financial environment, is a necessary condition to support the green technological innovation of enterprises. This paper focuses on the impact of bettering the financial environment of digital finance on enterprise green technological innovation, as well as the mediating role of financing costs and financial flexibility in this process. Using China's data on manufacturing enterprises listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2011 to 2018, the hypotheses are tested. The result suggests the following: (a) digital finance effectively promotes enterprises to carry out green technological innovation, specifically, the coverage and depth of digital finance can promote enterprises' green technological innovation, but the degree of digitization has no significant impact; (b) digital finance improves the financial environment by making up the shortage of traditional financial system through reducing financing problems such as "financing difficulty," "matching difficulty," and "supervision difficulty," which make effective contributions to enterprise green technological innovation; (c) financing costs negatively mediate the relationship between digital finance and enterprise green technological innovation, while financial flexibility positively mediates the relationship. Overall, our findings shed light on the role digital finance plays in shaping corporate environmental behavior—and ultimately innovation in sustainability—in financing constraint setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the dynamic landscape of rapid change and the pervasive influence of the digital revolution, the discussion surrounding the impact of digital transformation on the innovation performance of firms has become a focal point of intense debate. This paper aims to contribute to the evolution and advancement of traditional organizations toward high-quality development by addressing this issue through the integration of technology into the framework, leveraging the resource-based theory. The study seeks to explore the influence of digital transformation on innovation performance, specifically examining the role of supplier concentration in this relationship. Additionally, we investigate the moderating effect of CEO financial experience on the association between digital transformation and innovation performance. Utilizing multiple regression methodologies and analyzing data from Chinese listed firms spanning the period from 2007 to 2022, our empirical findings reveal a direct positive relationship between digital transformation and innovation performance. Furthermore, the study uncovers an indirect pathway through which digital transformation enhances innovation performance by mitigating supplier concentration. Notably, the positive impact of digital transformation is amplified by a CEO's background in finance. Finally, the effect of digital transformation on innovation performance is particularly pronounced in sectors such as state-owned entities, advanced technology companies, large-scale businesses, and those in their maturity phase. These insights provide valuable contributions to addressing concerns related to digital transformation, particularly in emerging economies like China. The findings offer essential lessons for navigating the transition to Industry 4.0 and fostering sustainable innovative practices. By emphasizing the role of supplier concentration and the moderating influence of CEO financial experience, this research contributes to a nuanced understanding of how digital transformation can positively impact innovation performance across diverse sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current global sanitary crisis determined consumers to use e-commerce in all its forms. It has led to an expansion of e-commerce activity and increased associated risk, as companies must adapt quickly to new market conditions and cope with all the risks that arise in such context. This paper aims to identify and assess the relevant risks specific to e-commerce activity and prevent unethical behavior that is often associated with entities operating in this sector by consumers. The review of a significant part of the literature confirms that e-commerce business directly impacts performance and sustainability, being positively associated with organizational innovation. However, investigating the nature and intensity of the risks associated with the operational activity is difficult to assess. It is the main reason for mistrust increasing among many consumers and stakeholders. This research also derives from the fact that it provides real tools to prevent, reduce and even eliminate risks specific to e-commerce activities. Therefore, it could directly contribute to increasing the sustainability of businesses and gaining the trust of consumers regarding online shopping activities. An investigation was conducted in the following logical sequence: identifying the main risk categories and triggers; establishing the link between working hypotheses and the minimum threshold argumentation associated with them. According to the above, it is possible to establish a specific risk function for each risk category. To determine the minimum threshold of risk influence, the unitary risk assessment methodology was applied using a scale of values from 1 to 5, depending on the impact on the operational activity, performance, and sustainability of the e-commerce business. The research methods are specific to quantitative research, the object of the research being a sample of 208 economic entities operating in the e-commerce sector. The statistical analysis regarding the behavior of the most relevant financial indicators was achieved by collecting data from financial reporting and other internal sources. The results serve as an empirical confirmation regarding the specific difficulties encountered in e-commerce activity that need to be solved. Therefore, a dashboard was developed to monitor triggers by risk segments. The designed dashboard is intended to support management in the decision-making process to ensure business sustainability and improve the business model in line with the adopted business strategies. At the same time, with the help of the risk functions developed by risk segments, management could monitor and control the threats to which the operational activity in the online environment is exposed, which will lead to business consolidation and penetration of new online markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this perspective, we present how three initial landmark papers on urban sustainability research contributed to the larger sustainability science scholarship and paved the way for the continued development of urban sustainability research. Based on this, we propose three conceptual innovation pathways to trace the progression of urban sustainability science: First, urban sustainability from a system's perspective, meaning that urban sustainability requires integrative solutions to work in the tripled social-ecological-technological system setting. Second, urban sustainability from a (people and place) relational perspective, meaning urban sustainability is a contested and dynamic social-ecological contract of cities. As a governance mission, urban sustainability requires evidence from research that can inform coordinated action to bridge people, places, meanings, visions and ecosystems. Third, urban sustainability from a transformative science perspective, meaning that for urban sustainability to be achieved and progressed, deep transformations are required in systems, relations, policies and governance approaches. Our proposal for the future of urban sustainability science centres on emphasizing the relevance and policy applicability of systems' thinking, value and place thinking and transitions/transformations thinking as fundamental to how knowledge is co-produced by research science, policy and society and becomes actionable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large-scale ecological damage caused by growth societies calls for economic degrowth in terms of a radical decrease in matter/energy throughput. This article examines the role of modern technology in degrowth with a focus on the question of agency and its ethical implications. After conceptualising technology as practice, the paper finds that while technological practice encompasses an agency for social change, it is restricted to transforming the non-human world to human-made objects. This is because in technological practice the world and its objects unfold as a standing-reserve for human use. Due to this calculative and anthropocentric thinking, technological practice does not and cannot support the emergence of a kind of agency that either does or can let things be. Moreover, the more technological the practice, the more objects are utilised. The paper concludes that technological practice does not support the transition to degrowth, because it directs its agents towards the continuous transformation of non-human-made objects into human-made objects resulting in an increase in cumulative throughput. The paper thus suggests that an ethos of releasement is needed to attain, as well as to live in, a degrowth society. The rationale provided for refraining from the technological practice in order to contribute to ecologically sensible social change is the chief contribution of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to reach the goal of sustainability, eco-innovation has been proposed as an effective mechanism and solution to help enterprises to reduce negative impacts on environment. However, with the advance of technology, the scope of eco-innovation becomes larger and complicated. In the past, very few articles discussed the evolution of technologies involving eco-innovation integratedly and systematically. It is worth to have a systematic review concerning the state of the art. The purpose of this study was to provide a holistic view to see the progression of the technologies which pushed forward the realization of sustainability in the past 2-3 decades. In this study, 55 research review papers were initially selected and analyzed to identify the technologies involving eco-innovation. Four technology-based eco-innovation dimensions were defined (green/sustainable product development dimension, business model integration dimension, green marketing and sustainable consumption dimension, and hybrid model construction and optimization dimension). Five case studies in the prior research were re-evaluated based on the identified technology-based eco-innovation dimensions. The results showed that most companies performed the best for the green/sustainable product development dimension. New technology and directions are needed for enterprises to strengthen the other three dimensions. Therefore, additional 76 papers were analyzed to provide suggestions concerning future technology directions for enterprises moving towards sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Decoupling state of ecological footprint in 30 province of China is analyzed. • There are four decomposition indicators for decoupling. • Technological factors, and economic factors are important factors driving decoupling. • The methods of realizing environmental sustainability are discussed. Nowadays, economic development and ecological environment protection are difficult to synergize, which poses a challenge to global sustainable development. This paper uses the Tapio decoupling model to evaluate the decoupling between ecological footprint and economic growth, and uses the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition methods to identify the driving factors of decoupling at national and provincial levels. There are four driving factors: industrial structural, technological innovation, economic development, and population size. It is found that: (1) The ecological footprint of 28 provinces show an upward trend, with an average increase of 40.26%. Among them, the ecological footprint of three provinces in the northwest region increased by more than 100%, and there is an urgent need to reduce natural resource consumption and ensure resource sustainability; (2) The number of provinces with good decoupling show a change of first declining and then rising. Moreover, the spatial distribution characteristics of the decoupling state are obvious, with the northeastern region in negative decoupling; and (3) Technological innovation plays a positive and leading role in decoupling, with a contribution rate of 0.5402. However, economic development inhibits decoupling, with a contribution rate of 0.3829. According to the results, this paper suggests countermeasures and approaches to promote the decoupling of ecological footprint and economic growth, and establishes three key regional concerns. It provides a basis for further analysis of environmental governance in China. Not only that, the regulatory measures and methods proposed in this study will also help promote the decoupling process of other developing countries in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global economy has accelerated the transition to a green, low-carbon economy. An enterprise's green innovation (GI) is directly related to its capacity for sustainable production as a micro-subject of economic development. This study examined the impact of managerial capacity on enterprise green innovation and changes of green innovation targeting. We used data collected manually from 423 Chinese A-share companies from 2010 to 2017. The effect of various external impact signals was then investigated. This study's findings are as follows: (1) Managerial ability stimulated green enterprise innovation. The marginal effect was 0.0696. While quality targeting has focused more on green invention innovation, managerial capacity significantly improved the marginal impact of green substantial innovation by 0.0375; (2) The clean production link targeting analysis confirmed that enterprises focused on end-of-pipe governance innovation (0.0466), along with new energy innovation (0.0495) rather than energy-saving innovation (−0.0227); (3) The multi-period DDD (Difference in Difference in Difference) model revealed that low-carbon city policy promoted green innovation with a diminishing trend; (4) The voluntary environmental regulation signals, ISO14001 certification, displayed a substitute effect for managerial capacity on enterprise green innovation. This paper provides recommendations, including that enterprises should improve the utilization of new and renewable energy while improving and optimizing production processes. The government should also improve innovation incentive policies and strengthen environmental information disclosure. • The marginal effect of managerial ability on enterprise green innovation is 0.0696. • Quality targeting focuses more on green invention innovation. • Link targeting focuses more on end-of-pipe governance innovation. • Low-carbon city policy promoted green innovation with a diminishing trend. • ISO14001 certification displayed a substitute effect in the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating innovation strategies plays an essential role for supporting sustainable development of the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling industry. This requires the incorporation of the sustainability concept into the strategy evaluation process, which becomes complicated when sustainability-related evaluation criteria have complementary and substitutive interactions. This paper proposes a novel framework to facilitate systematic identification of sustainability-related criteria by integrating the triple-bottom-line (TBL) principle of sustainability and the model of benefits, opportunities, costs, and risks (BOCR). A capacity-based multicriteria decision making (MCDM) approach is developed to evaluate innovation strategies with respect to interacting sustainability-related criteria. Equipped with a new weighting model for interacting criteria on a multi-level hierarchy, the approach can obtain an overall contribution value for each innovation strategy. To illustrate the BOCR-TBL framework and the capacity-based MCDM approach, an empirical study on an innovation strategy evaluation problem of an Australian WEEE recycling company is conducted. This paper makes conceptual and methodological contributions to sustainability and MCDM research and contributes to the WEEE recycling industry by providing a structured methodology for innovation strategy evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generation of goods and services are highly dependent on the use of natural resources. Until very recently, there was an implicit belief that the physical expansion of the economic system could be unlimited, as if the planet would have conditions and time enough to recover and continue to supply resources. This belief implies a confidence in an economic system that would provide whatever is necessary for a continuous growing production and consumption. Even believing that technology alone is not enough to solve the current environmental problems, it is certain that it can collaborate to mitigate climate change and to adaptation to changes in the environment. By bringing environmental aspects into discussions, eco-innovations can affect and transform the innovation system in order to create sustainable processes. However, the main challenge towards the transition to a more sustainable, cleaner and more equitable society is to set innovation in a new context, as until very recently it only considered the economic variables. This change means to value the social and environmental dimension of the innovation. In addition to eco-innovation, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is spreading in the industrial environment, offering promising perspectives. LCA is considered a valuable methodology in the environmental sustainability of industry. In this context, the present study addresses LCA and its relationship with the generation of eco-innovations. Drawing on contributions from literature on eco-innovation and LCA, the paper analyses available evidence on this relationship in a context of the transition towards sustainable development. To structure the debate, the paper offers a conceptual approach and an illustrative case on international researchers' and practitioners’ perceptions on the potentially positive relationship between eco-innovation and LCA. The study gathers data in the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection and in Scopus, in order to provide a picture of the distribution of documents retrieved from these databases, dealing with both eco-innovation and LCA topics. The paper concludes that the convergence of the eco-innovation and LCA studies is quite plausible, but at least in its initial phase, the literature that unites both themes is scarcely found in publications in the area of innovation, being more frequent in the area of engineering and management that usually addresses LCA studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines what drives green innovation investment and exploitation with regard to sustainability. The specific focus of this paper is on company valuations of different dimensions of sustainability and their relationships to green innovation. Empirical data were gathered from a cross-section of horse industry companies located in Finland. The scientific value of the paper lies in showing that certain dimensions of sustainability lead to the exploitation of and investment in green innovation, while other dimensions do not. The results of this study's regression analyses show that the more a company values economic, institutional, and social sustainability, the more likely it is to invest in green innovation. Further, a high valuation of institutional and economic sustainability increases the willingness to exploit green innovation. The valuation of environmental sustainability was not found to affect the willingness to invest in or exploit green innovation. Our results suggest that green innovation is driven by economic and institutional pressures, and that such innovation can create value in terms of social sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy is a social, technological and economic paradigm that aims to build a production and consumption model focused on waste reduction and maximization of discarded matter recovery. Discussion of the circular economy often treats it as a technocratic and profit-driven phenomenon that can be developed by capital investment in a particular industrial sector without necessarily taking into account the needs of the surrounding geographic area. The promotion of the circular economy often emphasises recycling and other practices that may not fully use the recovered material but are highly automatable, thus creating only a limited number of jobs. At the same time, there is another model of the circular economy, in which small and medium-sized organizations engage in transformative and low-technology activities such as reuse and repair, benefiting local development and creating job opportunities. This model is often explicitly driven by a social development mandate. Still, it risks falling short of its goals because of a lack of expertise and a less systematic approach. This paper aims to introduce the Design-led Repair & Reuse (DLRR) framework for mitigating the shortcomings of this second model, using an approach that is both sustainable and accessible to organizations with limited resources. Inspired by the principles of "Design-driven innovation", "social & solidarity economy", and "appropriate technology", DLRR aims to generate a higher quality of processes and products from circular, low entropy and low capital-intensity production activities, resulting in a more solid, identifiable and conscious positioning in the reuse market. It complements the socially inclusive ethos of these third sector small and medium-sized organizations while contributing to the debate on integrating alternative perspectives into the mainstream circular economy discourse. The first part of this paper discusses the theoretical principles that have inspired the DLRR framework. The second part presents research that tests the consistency of these founding principles based on a case study of a sample of organizations in Italy that are active in circular waste transformation processes. • The circular economy is an emerging paradigm in the race to achieve environmental sustainability. • Mainstream discourse on circular economy often does not focus on the social dimension of sustainability. • This discourse often interprets circular economy in a technocratic way, emphasizing high-tech, capital intensive approaches. • Reuse and repair practices are more technologically accessible, and can foster the creation of job opportunities. • A Design-led reuse and repair approach can contribute to strenghten the social dimension of circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although green innovation is seen by companies as a way to meet regulatory pressures and customers' needs, there is still no consensus about its impact on performance. This paper examines the role of green innovation intensity on financial performance based on data from 356 multinationals firms using a fixed effect panel regression. We found three main results. First, there is no significant association of green innovation's intensity with firm financial performance in the immediate year. Second, the association is positive, lasts during the subsequent years and becomes expressively higher after 2 years. Third, the degree of internationalization does not moderate this relationship. These findings provide empirical evidence that the return of green innovations is conditional to time but not to how much a multinational firm is internationalized. • We provide empirical evidence that the return of green innovation is conditional to time. • Green innovation is associated with firm performance in the shorter and longer-term. • Internationalization does not affect the returns from green innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]