The Role of Platforms in Fostering Sustainable Finance: A Comprehensive Approach
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear authors,
The topic is interesting; however, the following issues should be addressed in the study:
Major comments:
1. Abstract, and Introduction
Abstract
The abstract needs to be revised to adhere to the structured format, include relevant methodological information, summarize the main findings, and provide clear conclusions.
1. Introduction
· The introduction covers a broad range of topics, including climate change mitigation, the Paris Agreement, sustainable finance, the green financing gap, and the platform economy model. While it's important to provide context, the introduction lacks focus and cohesion.
· The introduction lacks a clear structure with identifiable sections that guide the reader through the main themes of the paper. It jumps between different topics without providing a smooth transition or clear delineation between ideas.
· While the introduction mentions the paper's contribution to examining the role of platform economy development in sustainable finance mobilization, it does not clearly articulate the specific research questions or objectives that the paper aims to address.
2. Materials and Methods
· The description of the search strategy is limited to mentioning the use of the SCOPUS database and a search query. However, it does not provide details on how the search terms were selected, how the search was conducted (e.g., date restrictions, language filters), or how the search results were managed (e.g., deduplication process).
· Although research questions are stated, there is limited explanation of how these questions were developed or how they guide the literature review process. Providing rationale or context for the research questions would strengthen the justification for the study's focus.
· The section references Table 1 for methodological steps but does not provide a detailed explanation of each step within the text. Readers may find it challenging to understand the methodology without clear explanations accompanying the table.
3. Theoretical background on sustainable finance
· The section lacks focus and coherence, jumping between different historical events and policy initiatives without a clear thread connecting them. It introduces concepts such as the IPCC, sustainable finance, and the UN's Principles of Responsible Investing without providing a clear framework for understanding their relevance to the topic.
· While the section mentions important events and initiatives related to sustainable finance, it does not provide sufficient context or explanation for readers unfamiliar with these topics. For example, it briefly mentions the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm and the establishment of the UNEP Finance Initiative, but it does not explain their significance in shaping sustainable finance mechanisms.
· The section contains several complex sentences and jargon-heavy phrases that may be difficult for readers to understand. For example, phrases like "cooperation by bringing together the best expertise on sustainability" are vague and could be clarified for better comprehension.
· The section primarily presents descriptive information about the development of sustainable finance mechanisms and the role of platforms without critically analyzing their implications or discussing potential challenges and limitations. Including deeper analysis and critical reflection would enrich the theoretical background and provide more insights for readers.
4. The role of platforms as facilitators of sustainable finance mechanisms
· The section lacks clear organization and coherence, making it difficult for readers to follow the logical flow of ideas. It jumps between different concepts and sources without effectively tying them together into a cohesive narrative.
· While the section introduces various terms and concepts related to platform economy and sustainable finance, it does not provide sufficient explanation or contextualization for readers who may not be familiar with these topics. This lack of clarity could hinder the understanding of readers unfamiliar with the subject matter.
· The section does not clearly establish the purpose or objective of discussing the role of platforms in facilitating sustainable finance mechanisms. It introduces various platform-based solutions without explicitly stating how they contribute to sustainable finance or addressing the research questions posed earlier in the article.
· While the section lists different types of platform-based solutions and briefly describes their functions, it lacks in-depth analysis or discussion of their effectiveness, limitations, or implications for sustainable finance. Without deeper analysis, the section feels descriptive rather than analytical.
5. Discussion and conclusion
· The discussion lacks clarity in presenting and analyzing the main findings of the study. It vaguely mentions the role of platforms in fostering sustainable finance without providing specific details or insights derived from the analysis conducted in the paper.
· The section does not effectively connect the discussion points to the research objectives or questions posed earlier in the article. It fails to demonstrate how the analysis of state-of-the-art sustainable finance and platform-based solutions addresses the research objectives set out in the introduction.
· While the section mentions four main benefits of platform-based solutions, it lacks depth in discussing how these benefits were determined and what implications they have for sustainable finance. There is a need for more thorough explanation and analysis of the findings to support the conclusions drawn.
Comments on the Quality of English Language· Some sentences are overly long and complex, which may hinder comprehension. Breaking them down into shorter, more concise sentences would improve readability.
· In certain instances, there are awkward or repetitive phrasings that could be refined for smoother flow and clarity. Varying sentence structure and using synonyms where appropriate could enhance the quality of expression.
· There are instances where the language could be more formal or precise to align with scholarly standards.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. We have found your comments and suggestions very useful, and we appreciate them very much. Please find the detailed responses below and the corresponding corrections in blue in the re-submitted files.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsCOMMENT 1:
This paper should explain the supporting reasons for the methodology of literature review matching the subject and main research questions of this paper.
COMMENT 2:
Explain the mechanism of the two research questions and the role of platforms as facilitators of sustainable finance mechanisms.
COMMENT 2:
Firstly, the benefits provided by platform-based solutions should be explained relatively enrichment. Secondly, the role and the benefits of platforms can be analyzed in two relatively sections.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
no comments.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. We have found your comments and suggestions very useful, and we appreciate them very much. Please find the detailed responses below and the corresponding corrections in blue in the re-submitted files.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe role of platforms in fostering sustainable finance: a comprehensive approach
Comments and Suggestions for Editor and Authors
1. What is the main question addressed by the research?
The main question addressed by the research is: “What are the main platform-based enablers for mobilizing sustainable finance?”. The research seeks to identify specific platform-based solutions that can act as facilitators in this process and what benefits these solutions offer for sustainable finance practices.
2. What parts do you consider original or relevant for the field? What specific gap in the field does the paper address?
The article is original and relevant to the area. The article explores the intersection between the platform economy and the mobilization of sustainable finance, a field that has received increasing academic attention but still lacks in-depth analysis of how platforms can facilitate these processes. The study identifies and categorizes different types of platform-based solutions, such as crowdfunding platforms, impact investing, peer-to-peer lending, blockchain-based solutions, and ESG data platforms.
The specific gap that the article addresses is the lack of a clear understanding of how platform-based solutions can be used to optimize sustainable finance mobilization processes, as well as exploring the benefits that these solutions can bring to sustainable investment practices.
3. What does it add to the subject area compared with other published material?
This article explores the interconnection between sustainable finance and the platform economy, highlighting the crucial role of platforms in mobilizing resources for sustainable initiatives, an aspect little addressed in the literature. It categorizes different platform-based solutions such as crowdfunding and impact investing, offering a practical guide for researchers and practitioners. With a systematic review of the literature, the study identifies gaps and proposes new areas of research. Furthermore, it discusses the practical implications of these platforms, such as the democratization of financing, contributing significantly to the advancement of knowledge in this field.
4. What specific improvements should the authors consider regarding the methodology? What further controls should be considered?
The paper is good in this aspect.
5. Please describe how the conclusions are or are not consistent with the evidence and arguments presented. Please also indicate if all main questions posed were addressed and by which specific experiments.
The article presents conclusions consistent with the evidence and arguments developed throughout the text, using a systematic literature review to analyze platform-based solutions and their role in mobilizing sustainable finance. He supports his claims with studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of these platforms in accessing finance and promoting sustainable practices. Key issues are addressed, such as the enablers of sustainable finance and the benefits of these solutions. Although it does not present new experiments, the article builds on previous studies and identifies gaps in the research, suggesting areas for future investigation.
6. Are the references appropriate?
Yes, the references are adequate however there are very few recent references.
7. Please include any additional comments on the tables and figures and quality of the data.
From the analysis done, everything seems to be correct.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
In a scientific text, its quality is very important. The English in your writing seems fine to me, but I admit I'm not a native English speaker.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Thank you for the comments, and the suggestion to do additional proofreading. The manuscript has now been corrected.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authorsno
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Thank you for all the useful comments and your positive response.
