sustainability-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Innovation Management and Organizational Performance for Sustainable Future

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2024 | Viewed by 56346

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Economics and Business, Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
Interests: innovation; sustainability; tourism; entrepreneurship
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In economic development and business organization, sustainability has become a topic of major interest for scholars, policy makers, and practitionners all over the world. A key driver for promoting sustainability is represented by innovations in products and processes. The concept of a “triple bottom line” has pointed out the three dimensions, i.e., economic, social, and environmental, that must be considered in all economic activities. Consequently, innovative practices must be focused on reconciling the financial and economic performance of the companies with the more general, social, and ecological interests of the people.  This is not simple to achieve given the complex and dynamic nature of the innovations. The adoption and implementation of sustainable performance in the economy require a continuous process of innovation and adjustment to the constantly changing environment.

Green innovation, eco-innovation, sustainable innovation, etc., are relatively recent concepts describing the nature of the innovative processes that drive the economy. The progress of the new technologies and the advances in digitalization are enabling more innovation, but they are creating more concerns and challenges for society as well.

In this context, this Special Issue welcomes conceptual and empirical articles, including reviews and short communications, oriented towards investigating the complex nexus between innovation, performance, and sustainability at all levels of management.  

Prof. Dr. Alina Badulescu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • green innovation
  • sustainable innovation
  • sustainable performance
  • innovation management
  • economic, social and environmental performance
  • sustainable development
  • challenges in sustainable development
  • technologies for innovation

Published Papers (21 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

24 pages, 1685 KiB  
Article
Artificial Intelligence Adoption by SMEs to Achieve Sustainable Business Performance: Application of Technology–Organization–Environment Framework
by Saeed Badghish and Yasir Ali Soomro
Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 1864; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16051864 - 24 Feb 2024
Viewed by 2723
Abstract
The primary purpose of this study was to investigate and present a theoretical model that identifies the most influential factors affecting the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by SMEs to achieve sustainable business performance in Saudi Arabia by integrating the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework. [...] Read more.
The primary purpose of this study was to investigate and present a theoretical model that identifies the most influential factors affecting the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by SMEs to achieve sustainable business performance in Saudi Arabia by integrating the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework. The authors utilized a quantitative method, using a survey instrument for this research. Data for this research were collected from managers working in six different sectors. Subsequently, based on company size, firms were divided into two groups, allowing multi-group analysis of small and medium-sized businesses to explore group differences. Hence, firm size played a moderating role in the conceptualized model. Data analysis was performed on SmartPLS 3, and the results suggest that dimensions of the TOE framework, such as relative advantage, compatibility, sustainable human capital, market and customer demand, and government support, play a significant role in the adoption of AI. Moreover, this study found a significant influence of AI on SMEs’ operational and economic performance. The multi-group analysis (MGA) results reveal significant group differences, with a medium-sized firm strengthening the relationship between relative advantage and AI adoption compared to small-size firms. The findings lead to practical implications for companies on how to increase the adoption of AI to help SMEs embrace their technological challenges in KSA and obtain sustainable business performance to contribute to the economy. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 630 KiB  
Article
The Relationship between Alumni Network and Exploratory Innovation: The Mediating Role of Enterprise Risk-Taking
by Mengxing Song, Lingling Guo and Jianwei Shen
Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 15705; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215705 - 07 Nov 2023
Viewed by 866
Abstract
In an increasingly open innovation environment, executives, as the core of corporate management and the main body of decision-making and execution, play a significant role in implementing innovation-driven development strategies. Based on executives’ educational background, we constructed an executive alumni network platform using [...] Read more.
In an increasingly open innovation environment, executives, as the core of corporate management and the main body of decision-making and execution, play a significant role in implementing innovation-driven development strategies. Based on executives’ educational background, we constructed an executive alumni network platform using data from Chinese A-share listed companies from 2007 to 2019, and calculated the centrality indicators. The aim was to comprehensively explore the relationship between alumni networks and exploratory innovation in enterprises, and examine the mediating effect of enterprise risk-taking. Empirical results show that executive academic background networks can promote the development of exploratory innovation activities in enterprises. In other words, these networks provide the social relationships and trust foundation necessary to support innovation effectively. Enterprise risk-taking plays a mediating role in the relationship between alumni networks and exploratory innovation, underscoring the importance of risk-taking. Further research reveals that alumni networks have a significant positive impact on the sustainability of innovation, emphasizing the long-term value for corporate innovation. These findings demonstrate that alumni networks play a critical role in corporate innovation activities and provide theoretical support for advancing research in corporate innovation and sustained development. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 907 KiB  
Article
Does Entrepreneurial Financial Support Guarantee New Ventures’ Performance via Competitive Advantage and Innovation? Empirical Answers from Ho Chi Minh City Region, Vietnam
by Quoc Hoang Thai and Khuong Ngoc Mai
Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15519; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115519 - 01 Nov 2023
Viewed by 872
Abstract
This research applied the resource-based view (RBV) theory to examine the effects of entrepreneurial financial support on new ventures’ performance via competitive advantage and innovation. A questionnaire survey was performed to collect data from 315 entrepreneurs of new ventures in the Ho Chi [...] Read more.
This research applied the resource-based view (RBV) theory to examine the effects of entrepreneurial financial support on new ventures’ performance via competitive advantage and innovation. A questionnaire survey was performed to collect data from 315 entrepreneurs of new ventures in the Ho Chi Minh City region. A quantitative method was applied, and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was utilized to confirm the significant relationships among variables of the research model. The findings demonstrated that all financial and operational performances of new venture constructs in this research model were completely supported. Furthermore, entrepreneurial financial support had the strongest direct and indirect effects on firm innovation and competitive advantage, while firm innovation and competitive advantage fully mediated relationships between entrepreneurial financial support and firms’ financial and operational performance. Hence, this research solved extant debates in the literature, concurrently enhancing the RBV theory in the entrepreneurship context. In the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, it offers novel insight for governors and other stakeholders to build an efficient financial support system, while providing entrepreneurs with strategies to leverage said system to develop innovation for achieving better competitive advantage, leading to higher firm performance. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 686 KiB  
Article
Cognitive Characteristics of an Innovation Team and Collaborative Innovation Performance: The Mediating Role of Cooperative Behavior and the Moderating Role of Team Innovation Efficacy
by Mi Zou, Peng Liu, Xuan Wu, Wei Zhou, Yuan Jin and Meiqi Xu
Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 10951; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151410951 - 12 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1201
Abstract
Based on the theory of social cognition, this paper discusses the cognitive characteristics of an innovation team, the influence mechanism of cooperative behavior on collaborative innovation performance, and the moderating effect of team innovation efficacy in an enterprise collaborative innovation network. The hypothesis [...] Read more.
Based on the theory of social cognition, this paper discusses the cognitive characteristics of an innovation team, the influence mechanism of cooperative behavior on collaborative innovation performance, and the moderating effect of team innovation efficacy in an enterprise collaborative innovation network. The hypothesis has been verified on the basis of 288 valid questionnaires. The results show the following: in the process of collaborative innovation, different dimensions of innovation team cognitive characteristics, namely collaborative innovation experience, the internal innovation environment of the enterprise, and emotional experience, have a significant positive impact on the collaborative innovation performance; and cooperative behavior plays a partial mediating role in the cognitive characteristics of the innovation team and collaborative innovation performance. In addition, the team’s innovation efficacy positively moderates the relationship between cooperative behavior and collaborative innovation performance. The results of this study not only expand the application of the social cognitive theory to the scope of collaborative innovation activities, but also have a certain reference significance to effectively mobilize the innovation initiative of the enterprise innovation team and improve the performance of collaborative innovation. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 600 KiB  
Article
Communal Organizational Culture as a Source of Business-Success Sustainability in Kibbutz Industry—Two Case Studies
by Yaffa Moskovich
Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10654; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310654 - 06 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1086
Abstract
This article explored the source of the organizational success of two kibbutz factories. This stood in stark contrast with most kibbutz industries, which abandoned their cooperative and communal attributes and became hierarchical and bureaucratic. This movement away from founding principles was the result [...] Read more.
This article explored the source of the organizational success of two kibbutz factories. This stood in stark contrast with most kibbutz industries, which abandoned their cooperative and communal attributes and became hierarchical and bureaucratic. This movement away from founding principles was the result of the massive privatization process that the kibbutz movement had been undergoing since the 1990s. This research followed the case study approach, with a comparative analysis of the two kibbutz firms. The author interviewed fifty respondents and supplemented the data with document analysis. The findings in the two factories reflected their ability to assimilate capitalist features into their organizational culture while preserving much of their kibbutz nature, expressed in various cultural features. These factories preferred kibbutz members over outsiders and maintained much of the original organizational democracy and equality among managers and workers. In addition, the firms demonstrated concern for the well-being of all the workers. This mixture of expertise and professionalism, along with internal democracy, equity, and communal concern, could be an example for other factories seeking business success. One important theoretical implication of this research is that an organization whose members identify with their organizational roots can better achieve long-term business success. Finally, this article offers practical implications for managers seeking to design a strong organizational culture. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 891 KiB  
Article
Does Trust Affect Antecedents of Inter-Organizational Governance Mechanisms and Elicit Successful Collaboration via Innovation? An Empirical Study from a Market-Oriented Economy in Vietnam
by Phuong Thi Minh Nguyen, Khuong Ngoc Mai and Phuong Ngoc Duy Nguyen
Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9547; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129547 - 14 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1011
Abstract
This study aims to examine the relationships between trust and the structure of inter-organizational governance mechanisms (IGMs), what factors of IGMs and trust affect innovation, and how their effects lead to Successful Inter-organizational Collaboration (SIC) through innovation in the tourism industry. A questionnaire [...] Read more.
This study aims to examine the relationships between trust and the structure of inter-organizational governance mechanisms (IGMs), what factors of IGMs and trust affect innovation, and how their effects lead to Successful Inter-organizational Collaboration (SIC) through innovation in the tourism industry. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect responses from 423 tourist firms from March to September 2022 in Vietnam. We applied partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis to determine the path coefficients among these latent constructs. The results reveal that the role of trust is significant in shaping an organization’s behavior to create IGMs and innovation. IGMs directly impact innovation and SIC, as well as also indirectly affecting innovation variables. This study provides new insights into the literature on tourism regarding trust, IGMs, innovation, and SIC. The results can guide indispensable strategies that tourist firms can use to improve the outcomes of tourism sectors in terms of long-term collaboration. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 6460 KiB  
Article
Catching Up of Latecomer Economies in ICT for Sustainable Development: An Analysis Based on Technology Life Cycle Using Patent Data
by Na Zhang, Chao Sun, Min Xu, Xuemei Wang and Jia Deng
Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 9038; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15119038 - 02 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1260
Abstract
In the digital economy era, ICT plays a vital role in supporting the sustainable and high-quality development of latecomer economies. Using technology life cycle analysis and patent data from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (1960–2014), this study analyzed the catching-up characteristics [...] Read more.
In the digital economy era, ICT plays a vital role in supporting the sustainable and high-quality development of latecomer economies. Using technology life cycle analysis and patent data from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (1960–2014), this study analyzed the catching-up characteristics of latecomer economies (with the US as the first mover), including take-off time, growth time, growth rate, and ceiling values in nine sub-fields of information and communication technology (ICT). We applied the logistic and bi-logistic model to reveal the sequence of technological development and growth speed of different economies in different ICT sub-fields. The results show that European economies (Great Britain, France, and Germany) and the US developed first, followed by Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, with China (Mainland) coming later; Asian economies (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China (Mainland)) displayed synchronous development strategies, while European economies displayed non-synchronous development strategies. Asian economies are catching up with the US, whereas European economies are standing still both in imitation and indigenous processes. Korea and Taiwan prioritized catching up with a few sub-fields in the indigenous process. Finally, we analyzed the technological convergence among economies in their catching-up processes and proposed policy implications for the sustainable development of ICT latecomers. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 523 KiB  
Article
Trajectories of Teleworking via Work Organization Conditions: Unraveling the Effect on Work Engagement and Intention to Quit with Path Analyses
by Annick Parent-Lamarche and Alain Marchand
Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8476; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118476 - 23 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1669
Abstract
Several countries are currently experiencing worker shortages. In this context, which favors employees, employers must improve their offer to attract and retain employees, not only in regards to wage but also in regards to work organization conditions. Teleworking is one work organization condition [...] Read more.
Several countries are currently experiencing worker shortages. In this context, which favors employees, employers must improve their offer to attract and retain employees, not only in regards to wage but also in regards to work organization conditions. Teleworking is one work organization condition (or human resource management practice) that is receiving increasing attention due to its increased prevalence in recent years. This cross-sectional study’s objective was to verify the influence of teleworking on work engagement and the intention to quit through its effects on work organization conditions (e.g., social support, workload, recognition, skill utilization, and number of hours worked). This study was based on the demands-resources model as teleworking can represent a demand or a resource and is likely to influence work organization conditions. Path analyses were carried out using Mplus software. A sample of 254 French Canadian staff members (n = 254) from 19 organizations (small and medium-sized). The results indicate that teleworking is indirectly associated with a higher level of work engagement through its effect on skill utilization. Moreover, teleworking is indirectly and negatively associated with the intention to quit through its impact on skill utilization and work engagement. More specifically, teleworking is associated with an overall lower intention to quit. This study aimed to shed light on the mechanisms underlying the associations between teleworking, work engagement, and the intention to quit. Considering work organization conditions in this sequence modifies the effect of teleworking on both outcomes. Although it can be harmful (i.e., negatively associated with work engagement) when the work organization conditions are not considered, its positive influence on skill utilization reverses this effect. From a practical perspective, it seems crucial to ensure that teleworkers can use their skills to promote the success of its implementation. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 638 KiB  
Article
Toward Sustainable Development: The Causes and Consequences of Organizational Innovation
by Li-Min Chuang and Yu-Po Lee
Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 8017; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108017 - 15 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1120
Abstract
As society continues to evolve, environmental contextual factors continue to change. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between organizational innovation and individual, organizational, and environmental context variables, as well as the impact of organizational innovation on the performance [...] Read more.
As society continues to evolve, environmental contextual factors continue to change. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between organizational innovation and individual, organizational, and environmental context variables, as well as the impact of organizational innovation on the performance of an organization. This study will investigate the incorporation of relevant aspects of environment, society, and governance into organizational innovation, and investigate its influencing factors on innovation. The information electronics industry based at Hsinchu Science Park was selected to gather data for this study. Overall, the number of valid questionnaires recovered was 138, with an effective recovery rate of 45.25% (138/305). The findings of this study are in support of environmental and organizational variables having the largest explanatory power for organizational innovation, while individual creativity was found to have less of a correlation with organizational innovation. This study has expanded and continued to make breakthroughs and contributions in studies on ESG and sustainability-oriented organizational innovation. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 775 KiB  
Article
Understanding How Organizational Culture Affects Innovation Performance: A Management Context Perspective
by Wen Zhang, Xiaoshuang Zeng, Huigang Liang, Yajiong Xue and Xuanze Cao
Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6644; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086644 - 14 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 15444
Abstract
This study takes the management context perspective to investigate how the social context and performance management context can jointly improve organizational innovation performance. We propose that organizational culture factors, including psychological safety, collectivism, and power distance, are antecedents of social context and performance [...] Read more.
This study takes the management context perspective to investigate how the social context and performance management context can jointly improve organizational innovation performance. We propose that organizational culture factors, including psychological safety, collectivism, and power distance, are antecedents of social context and performance management context. We collected survey data from 301 employees in Chinese organizations. Our data analysis results show that the social context and performance management context fully mediate the effects of psychological safety, collectivism, and power distance on innovation performance. Specifically, psychological safety and collectivism have positive indirect effects, whereas power distance has a negative indirect effect on innovation performance. Our findings offer insights regarding how firms can develop management contexts to enhance their innovation performance, which contributes to both research and practice in innovation management. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 1253 KiB  
Article
The Sustainability of Technological Innovation in China: From the Perspective of Network Relationships
by Taimin Li, Afzal Izzaz Zahari and Soliha Sanusi
Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4242; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054242 - 27 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3237
Abstract
Sustainable technological innovation is a key factor for companies seeking competitive advantage. Against the backdrop of the Sino-US trade war, the US government has been severely impeding Chinese enterprises’ technological innovation with its trade policies. Consequently, how to ensure the sustainability of technological [...] Read more.
Sustainable technological innovation is a key factor for companies seeking competitive advantage. Against the backdrop of the Sino-US trade war, the US government has been severely impeding Chinese enterprises’ technological innovation with its trade policies. Consequently, how to ensure the sustainability of technological innovation is a huge challenge for Chinese enterprises. In the Chinese context of a relationship-based society, network relationships have been instrumental in the process of technological innovation. This study constructs a theoretical model, with market dynamics as the moderator, exploring the impact of three dimensions of network relationships (network relationship selection, network relationship maintenance, and network relationship utilization) on sustainable technological innovation via an empirical analysis of 208 Chinese technology companies. The results of this study indicate that network relationship selection, network relationship maintenance, and network relationship utilization have a positive effect on sustainable technological innovation. Furthermore, the moderating effect of market dynamics on the association between network relationships and sustainable technological innovation is also confirmed. This study contributes to resource-based theory and dynamic capability theory by demonstrating how network relationships influence sustainable technological innovation in varying market dynamics. This study provides a better understanding of the role of network relationships in sustainable technological innovation and suggests that managers should pay attention to the selection, maintenance, and utilization of network relationships in order to achieve sustainable technological innovation. Additionally, managers should also consider market dynamics when making decisions related to network relationships, as they can have a significant impact on sustainable technological innovation. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 983 KiB  
Article
How the Target Positioning of the S&T Innovation Platform Impacts Its Network Innovation Capability in China
by Gulizhaer Aisaiti, Qi Dong, Ling Liang, Jiqing Xie and Jiaping Xie
Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010716 - 31 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1520
Abstract
The Scientific and Technological Innovation Platform (hereafter S&T innovation platform) accumulates rich innovation resources, co-ordinates the interest between multiple innovation subjects, promotes the sharing of innovation resources, and thus enhances the platform’s network innovation capability. Therefore, based on the perspective of the target [...] Read more.
The Scientific and Technological Innovation Platform (hereafter S&T innovation platform) accumulates rich innovation resources, co-ordinates the interest between multiple innovation subjects, promotes the sharing of innovation resources, and thus enhances the platform’s network innovation capability. Therefore, based on the perspective of the target positioning of the S&T innovation platform, this paper explores the improvement path of the platform’s network innovation capability. Through empirical research, we found that the target positioning of the S&T innovation platform helps to improve the platform’s network innovation capability. The mediating mechanism of construction logic and transformational logic enhances the S&T innovation platform’s network innovation capability. At the same time, this paper studies the influence of boundary factors, such as government guidance and market lead, on the network innovation capability of S&T innovation platforms and finds that the market lead moderating effect impacts the network innovation capability of S&T innovation platforms through commercial logic and transformational logic. The government guidance positively moderates the relationship between the target positioning of the S&T innovation platform and the commercial logic under construction logic. The moderating effect under the joint impact of market lead and government guidance enhances the network innovation capability of the S&T innovation platform using social logic and transformational logic. The novelty and uniqueness of the research are based on the innovation network theory, integrating construction logic and transformational logic, and enriching the boundary conditions to enhance the network innovation capability of the S&T innovation platform by introducing the roles of market lead and government guidance. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

37 pages, 1868 KiB  
Article
Measuring and Evaluating Organizational Innovation Capacity and Performance from Systemic and Sustainability-Oriented Perspective
by Wellington L. L. Rocha, Maria Fatima L. Almeida and Rodrigo F. Calili
Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 682; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010682 - 30 Dec 2022
Viewed by 2582
Abstract
In the last decades, several multidimensional models for measuring and evaluating the innovation capacity and performance of organisations have been designed by researchers and consulting firms and adopted by established innovative organisations worldwide. However, the topic of measurement and evaluation models that are [...] Read more.
In the last decades, several multidimensional models for measuring and evaluating the innovation capacity and performance of organisations have been designed by researchers and consulting firms and adopted by established innovative organisations worldwide. However, the topic of measurement and evaluation models that are designed for sustainability-oriented innovation management has remained underexplored by researchers and practitioners. From this perspective, this work proposes a conceptual model for measuring and evaluating the sustainability-oriented innovation capacity (SOIC) and performance (SOIP) of established organisations, guided by the following principles: a multidimensional structure, stakeholder goal orientation, interdependence and feedback loop analyses, innovation process orientation and ease of implementation and use. In line with these principles, the proposed model combines the balanced scorecard (BSC) framework with a hybrid multicriteria methodological approach. Furthermore, it considers the interdependencies between the key innovation indicators (KIIs), which are classified according to four perspectives of an adapted BSC framework. The proposed conceptual model, and the empirical results that demonstrate its applicability in an organisational context, may contribute to improving the current practices for measuring and evaluating the SOIC and SOIP, which could help organisations to adjust their strategies to create sustainable value for the new era of business. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 2339 KiB  
Article
Innovation Systems and Sustainability. Development of a Methodology on Innovation Systems for the Measurement of Sustainability Indicators in Regions Based on a Colombian Case Study
by Jhon Wilder Zartha Sossa, Juan Fernando Gaviria Suárez, Natalia María López Suárez, José Luis Solleiro Rebolledo, Gina Lía Orozco Mendoza and Valentina Vélez Suárez
Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 15955; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315955 - 30 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2628
Abstract
In recent years, the need for changes in the current consumption and development patterns has become evident. To achieve this, it is necessary to innovate, create, and devise new methodologies and ways of thinking that allow for a reorientation towards economically prosperous, socially [...] Read more.
In recent years, the need for changes in the current consumption and development patterns has become evident. To achieve this, it is necessary to innovate, create, and devise new methodologies and ways of thinking that allow for a reorientation towards economically prosperous, socially equitable, and environmentally reasonable practices. The purpose of this study is to identify sustainability variables within the framework of the innovation system concept, and to propose a methodology for diagnosing regions and identifying their gaps in a sustainability-oriented innovation system. The methodology was based on a literature review of different documents, where sustainability variables related to innovation were extracted from this search, consisting of the identification of concepts made by different authors regarding what should be considered an innovation system aligned with sustainable development. These concepts were identified as study variables and a questionnaire was formulated based on them, which was reviewed by experts to determine their relevance and congruence. After obtaining the final questionnaire, which was subsequently referenced as the diagnostic tool, it was applied in a Colombian study region consisting of the states of Quindío and Risaralda, with sustainability stakeholders. As a result, a great lack of knowledge on the subject on the part of the respondents, low accessibility to sources of information, and a high percentage of disarticulation between policies were found, which led to the conclusion that the evaluated region has a low understanding of sustainability. Based on the information discussed in this research, it can be concluded that there are currently no specific methodologies to measure the sustainability of a region or territory. Therefore, the tool is determined to be a guide for the measurement of sustainability in the context of innovation in any region. Finally, from the studies reviewed, the potential to include sustainability in the innovation systems of a region was detected, enabling economic development, the production of goods and services, and strengthening the socio-environmental considerations involved in the adequate use of natural resources and the increase in the quality of life. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1152 KiB  
Article
Technological Innovation, Risk-Taking and Firm Performance—Empirical Evidence from Chinese Listed Companies
by Hui Zhang and Vesarach Aumeboonsuke
Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 14688; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214688 - 08 Nov 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2415
Abstract
Technological innovation can restructure the production factors of enterprises, and it is an important factor for enterprises to meet market demand, improve competitiveness, form long-term competitive advantages and obtain sustainable development. This study focuses on the practical issue of the impact of technology [...] Read more.
Technological innovation can restructure the production factors of enterprises, and it is an important factor for enterprises to meet market demand, improve competitiveness, form long-term competitive advantages and obtain sustainable development. This study focuses on the practical issue of the impact of technology innovation on firm performance. Taking 1166 listed companies in China from 2012 to 2020 as research samples, this study systematically investigates and reveals the impact of technological innovation on firm performance and its internal impact mechanism. The research shows that technological innovation significantly reduces firm performance, and that conclusion holds after an endogeneity test and a robustness test. The analysis of the impact mechanism shows that risk-taking is an important transmission path of corporate technological innovation affecting corporate performance and that technological innovation reduces firm performance by improving the risk-taking capacity. Finally, a heterogeneity test regarding the firm ownership shows that technological innovation has a significantly stronger negative impact on the performance of non-state-owned enterprises than on that of state-owned enterprises. The relevant government departments and market subjects should fully understand and give attention to the impact of enterprise technological innovation on firm performance and its mechanism, which has important practical significance for standardizing and strengthening enterprise R&D management, reducing the market and technological risks of firm technological innovation and perfecting modern enterprise systems. It is helpful for firms to form a sustainable technology innovation cycle development mode. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 944 KiB  
Article
Unlocking the Full Sustainability Potential of School Buildings by Reconciling Building Properties with Educational and Societal Needs
by Oskar Seuntjens, Matthias Buyle, Bert Belmans and Amaryllis Audenaert
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12136; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912136 - 25 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1555
Abstract
This study explores how school buildings can be exploited more efficiently in the future, since, at present, they remain unused for a substantial amount of time. One possibility to tackle this inefficiency, is to involve the local community more closely in usage of [...] Read more.
This study explores how school buildings can be exploited more efficiently in the future, since, at present, they remain unused for a substantial amount of time. One possibility to tackle this inefficiency, is to involve the local community more closely in usage of its school building. First, a theoretical analysis was carried out to increase the fundamental understanding of the underlying dynamics related to opening school infrastructure to the local community. Second, focus group discussions were organized to research whether involving the local community in the school building was compatible with educational needs. The first highlighted that more extensive building usage could lead to positive social, environmental, educational and economic benefits. In the second, educational experts stressed that they wanted to adopt more innovative and flexible forms of teaching in the future, such as team teaching. Technical directors expressed concerns on safety issues if the local community is to be more closely involved. In the final step, all findings were translated into their technical consequences. From this analysis, it could be concluded that a school building with a high degree of short-term flexibility was the preferred option to reconcile societal and educational needs. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 822 KiB  
Article
Do Environmental Strategy and Awareness Improve Firms’ Environmental and Financial Performance? The Role of Competitive Advantage
by Kang Tan, Abu Bakkar Siddik, Farid Ahammad Sobhani, Muhammad Hamayun and Mohammad Masukujjaman
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10600; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710600 - 25 Aug 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3385
Abstract
Drawing upon the natural-resource-based view (NRBV), this study assesses the role of environmental strategy (ENS) and environmental awareness (ENA) in enhancing firms’ environmental and financial performance. Additionally, we hypothesize a mediating role of firms’ competitive advantage among these associations. We analyze several hypothesized [...] Read more.
Drawing upon the natural-resource-based view (NRBV), this study assesses the role of environmental strategy (ENS) and environmental awareness (ENA) in enhancing firms’ environmental and financial performance. Additionally, we hypothesize a mediating role of firms’ competitive advantage among these associations. We analyze several hypothesized relationships using survey data from 240 Bangladeshi manufacturing SMEs. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) findings suggest that environmental strategy strongly affects organizational competitive advantage and environmental performance. We also observe that environmental awareness substantially affects competitive advantage and environmental and financial performance. Finally, our statistical findings reveal that competitive advantage mediates the linkage between ENS and ENP as well as ENA and ENP. However, ENS was found to have an insignificant effect on firms’ financial performance. These crucial findings extend the NRBV, ENS, and ENA literature. Our research provides managers of manufacturing organizations and policymakers with a valuable model for managing environmental strategy and environmental awareness to enhance environmental and financial performance. It may assist manufacturing SME managers in strengthening their internal resources, such as ENS and ENA, to improve their competitive advantage and organizational outcomes. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 2760 KiB  
Article
Exploring Marketing Insights for Healthcare: Trends and Perspectives Based on Literature Investigation
by Adela Laura Popa, Naiana Nicoleta Ţarcă, Dinu Vlad Sasu, Simona Aurelia Bodog, Remus Dorel Roşca and Teodora Mihaela Tarcza
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10499; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710499 - 23 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4034
Abstract
The study aims to provide a series of information that will contribute to the understanding of the concept of healthcare marketing and other associated concepts from the perspective of how research in the field has evolved. We aim to quantify the scientific interest [...] Read more.
The study aims to provide a series of information that will contribute to the understanding of the concept of healthcare marketing and other associated concepts from the perspective of how research in the field has evolved. We aim to quantify the scientific interest in the field of healthcare marketing and to extract aspects that will contribute to a better understanding of the trends that characterize the specific vision of this topic. The research involves a bibliometric analysis, and the conduct of the study is based on the investigation of the academic literature from the Scopus and PubMed databases based on the PRISMA methodology. The study investigates 1077 papers published between 2000 and 2022. According to our study, the most productive countries in the field of healthcare marketing academic publications are the United States, the United Kingdom, and India. As research themes, the study revealed that customer/patient satisfaction, medical tourism, social marketing, and hospital-related marketing topics are highlighted based on cluster analysis of authors keywords. We also discuss the significant lack of research to clarify the use of the concepts such as patient/client/customer in healthcare marketing and to understand the role of prevention services as essential in sustainable healthcare. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1654 KiB  
Article
Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Trends on Higher Education Internationalization Using Scopus Database: Towards Sustainability of Higher Education Institutions
by Nazifa Abd Ghani, Poh-Chuin Teo, Theresa C.F. Ho, Ling Suan Choo, Beni Widarman Yus Kelana, Sabrinah Adam and Mohd Khairuddin Ramliy
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8810; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148810 - 19 Jul 2022
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3549
Abstract
Sustainability in education has continued to evolve, which in turn creates a research niche that is able to provide greater opportunities for interaction between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and their surroundings. Internationalization of higher education is one of the new forms of engagements [...] Read more.
Sustainability in education has continued to evolve, which in turn creates a research niche that is able to provide greater opportunities for interaction between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and their surroundings. Internationalization of higher education is one of the new forms of engagements in higher education for ensuring sustainability. This study seeks to understand the research in higher education internationalization on publication outcomes, co-authorships between authors and similar countries, and co-occurrences of author keywords. This can provide valuable opportunities in expanding collaborative networks to impart global perspectives into teaching, learning, and research development. For this purpose, a bibliometric analysis was carried out to identify a total of 1412 journal articles from between 1974 to 2020 using information taken from the Scopus database. The research wraps up similarities on the growth of research, with the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, China and Canada emerging as among the countries that publish the most. There is a growing popularity of the term ‘higher education internationalization’ as part of the global new trends of cross-cultural study in transnational education. Finally, this study calls for future research programs with a concern in developing the intercultural communication of graduate students for global competence skills towards sustainability of HEIs. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 1357 KiB  
Article
Research on the Governance Mechanism of Independent Innovation Network in the Core Area of Silk Road Economic Belt
by Jiaping Xie, Haicheng Jia, Qi Dong and Gulizhaer Aisaiti
Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 7589; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137589 - 22 Jun 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1539
Abstract
The increasing competition in global scientific and technological innovation and the continuous promotion of the “Belt and Road initiatives” have created new opportunities for the improvement in innovation capabilities in the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt but have also brought [...] Read more.
The increasing competition in global scientific and technological innovation and the continuous promotion of the “Belt and Road initiatives” have created new opportunities for the improvement in innovation capabilities in the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt but have also brought new challenges. This paper first starts from the market and government perspective and sorts out the formation mechanism of an innovation network. Subsequently, based on the development practice of the innovation network in the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt, we applied the grounded theory to reveal the development constraints of the innovation network in the core area and explore the corresponding network governance mechanism. Subsequently, we applied a survey study to test our conceptual model. We empirically found the innovation network structure governance and innovation relation governance impacting mechanism in a market-led and government guidance context. The study found that: first, the market-led environment and government guidance jointly impact the formation of an innovation network. Second, the network structure governance and network relation governance of the innovation network can address the development constraints faced by the current innovation network to a certain extent, thereby improving the firm’s innovation performance. Finally, it is found that both the market-led environment and government guidance play a positive role in regulating the impact of network structure governance and network relation governance on the firm’s innovation performance. The above conclusions expand the application scenarios of innovation network governance theory in underdeveloped areas and, at the same time, provide new theoretical knowledge increments for the formation mechanism of innovation networks and also provide corresponding theoretical guidance for the improvement of the firm’s innovation performance in the core area. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

25 pages, 338 KiB  
Review
What Earnings Management Has to Do with Corporate Social Responsibility
by Ann Kristin Meyer and Andreas Dutzi
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2836; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072836 - 28 Mar 2024
Viewed by 473
Abstract
With the continuing rise of attention towards societal challenges like, e.g., climate change, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) becomes an increasingly important topic for companies. While there is no question that CSR activities are on the rise, the connection towards Earnings Management in companies [...] Read more.
With the continuing rise of attention towards societal challenges like, e.g., climate change, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) becomes an increasingly important topic for companies. While there is no question that CSR activities are on the rise, the connection towards Earnings Management in companies is less clear. Therefore, this research paper not only aims to provide an up-to-date picture on the literature addressing this interconnection, but also provides a profound base for a more solid theoretical framework. Thus, it delivers a critical basis for further empirical analyses in this field. In order to illustrate this interconnection between those two topics, this paper presents an SLR analysis of articles published in the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) or Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC), focusing on empirical analyses of CSR performance and Earnings Management. Overall, it can be stated that CSR performance has a negative influence on Accrual-Based Earnings Management, while findings on the influence on Real Earnings Management are contradicting. Furthermore, the relationship of CSR performance and Accrual-Based Earnings Management/Real Earnings Management is especially vague when the used methods are moderated by different variables such as family involvement or managerial entrenchment. While the connection between Accrual-Based Earnings Management and CSR performance is widely covered in the existing literature, the relationship between Real Earnings Management and CSR performance is clearly less outlined. This research paper makes key contributions to the existing literature, as it combines and structures results of conducted studies during the last ten years and elaborates on the differences on commonalities of the results. This analysis also suggests that other factors that possibly influence Earnings Management or CSR should be included in a future research model for upcoming analyses. It places the findings of earlier studies into the context of the Ethical Approach, creating a roadmap for the future. Full article
Back to TopTop