An investigation into public finance for potential high growth sustainable start-ups: the case of France

A thorough bibliometric analysis is conducted in this study to investigate the state of social and environmental innovation research. The present study aims to identify developing trends, significant concepts, and collaboration networks in the subject by a thorough survey of scholarly literature. The analysis offers a comprehensive picture of the changing conversation around social and environmental innovation by incorporating a wide range of publications, such as reports, conference papers, and journal articles.The data shows a notable rise in publications over time pertaining to social and environmental innovation, indicating the field's increasing significance in tackling global issues. Research on social and environmental innovation is by its very nature interdisciplinary, incorporating elements from the social sciences, economics, business, and environmental science. This multidisciplinary approach makes it possible to fully comprehend difficult problems and come up with creative solutions. The existence of collaborative networks among scholars is highlighted by co-authorship network analysis. These networks make it easier to share knowledge, cross-pollinate concepts, and create all-encompassing solutions. The report highlights a number of topics related to emerging research, such as the role of technology in promoting social and environmental innovation, the circular economy and sustainable business models, inclusive entrepreneurship and social innovation, and sustainable supply chains. Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers can all benefit from the understanding this analysis provides. This information can be used by policymakers to guide the creation of laws that encourage environmental and social innovation. Experts are able to recognize new trends and recommended procedures. Scholars are able to pinpoint gaps in existing research and avenues for further investigation.

This special issue was supported by an Australian National University GrandChallenges grant (Social Cohesion, Diversity and Inclusion) to Israr Qureshi.

The study examines how social and environmental innovations affect cost leadership strategies, value creation, and overall firm/business performance. It has compared how SMEs handle the ever‐changing landscape of sustainability‐driven business practices with large manufacturing companies. With a cross‐sectional design, the study examined 179 manufacturing businesses to test the research framework. A structured questionnaire based on a five‐point Likert scale with organization as a unit of analysis was used to collect data. The research’s measurement and structural models were derived from data analysis conducted using Smart PLS. Overall, the research revealed that environmental and social innovations have significant impacts on business performance through cost leadership strategies and value creation in both SMEs and large manufacturing companies. However, a direct relationship was not established between social innovation and value creation in the case of SMEs, but it was significant for large companies. Environmental innovation was found to have direct relationships with cost leadership and value creation in both SMEs and large manufacturing companies. This research shows managers and policymakers how companies of any size can balance cost leadership with environmental and social concerns to maximize resources and efficiency. It encourages sustainable practices that benefit society and the environment while boosting performance and guiding strategic decision‐making. The novelty of this study is the comparative analysis of SMEs and large companies that provide empirical evidence of the intricate connection between environmental and social innovations, cost leadership, value creation, and business performance.

It is important for practitioners, policymakers, and scholars to understand how the adoption of sustainability strategies and innovations influence firms’ overall performance. Practitioners obviously seek knowledge of the likely financial outcome of the adoption of sustainability strategies and innovations. Policymakers need the knowledge to devise effective policies to reach sustainability goals, and scholars seek to understand firm behavior and their ability to create financial value in the sustainability shift. Even though an increasing amount of empirical evidence indicate that the sustainability-firm performance relationship is positive, much debate remains concerning how and under what conditions firm-level competitiveness is created though sustainability. This study contributes by examining how sustainability strategies influence the implementation of social and environmental innovations in manufacturing firms, and in turn, how these innovations affect firm performance. Firm performance is measured in terms of value creation, cost reduction, and risk reduction, in which both perceived performance and objective longitudinal financial data are used. The study adopts a quantitative research approach using survey data from a representative sample of Norwegian manufacturing firms combined with publicly available financial data. Hypotheses are tested by structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicate that sustainability strategies elicit a positive effect on the implementation of environmental and social innovations. Furthermore, environmental innovations were found to give a positive effect on all measured firm performance outcomes, while social innovations yielded mixed effects. We discuss the findings in relation to stakeholder and resource-based-view theories and the implications for practice and further research.

PurposeThe paper aims to understand the stages of the social innovation process and how it can be used for sustainable development.Design/methodology/approachThis single case study used multiple sources, especially data from extensive field visits and selective in-depth interviews. Direct observation, web content analysis, journals, annual reports and news articles were also used.FindingsThe findings show that BRAC institute of skills development (BISD) adopted a unique formula for the social innovation process: problem identification, new idea, design prototype, pilot, perfect and scale up. This study also finds that BISD has a significant socio-economic impact in Bangladesh. The impacts of BISD are associated with several United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1 on poverty, SDG 4 on inclusive learning, SDG 5 on gender equality and women empowerment, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth and SDG 16 on social inclusion.Practical implicationsThe discussions of this study ultimately pave a clear roadmap for policymakers, practitioners and academics to improve mechanisms for sustainable development through social innovations in emerging countries.Originality/valueThis paper provides a practical application of the social inclusive innovation process theory by which vocational training institutes can scale their sustainable impact. More knowledge is needed on how organisations can implement social innovation projects in emerging countries. This paper provides exploratory evidence to fill this gap. It demands a promising area of interest to investigate further research on the compatibility of social innovation in skills development programmes to gear up the status of an underprivileged community.

The monograph outlines the theoretical foundations for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the course of this study, the approaches used by international organizations and the European Union to measure the impact of science, technology and innovation (STI) on the achievement of the SDGs were reviewed and analyzed. In particular, the paper presents the results of a study on the methods and indicators used by Eurostat, the European Commission, the European Urban Initiative, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNCTAD and WHO. The sixth stage of the STI Roadmap for the SDGs for Ukraine was finalized, which, with the exception of the sixth stage, was developed in 2023 and approved by the Board of the Ministry of Education and Science. This stage includes both monitoring the status of implementation of the Roadmap actions proposed by the central executive authorities and assessing the impact of STI on the SDGs. Using the experience of applying indicators for measuring the contribution of STI to the SDGs, the “Ukrainian Institute of Scientific and Technical Expertise and Information” developed methodological recommendations for assessing the impact of STI on the SDGs in Ukraine. These methodological recommendations introduce a differentiated approach to assessing the impact of STI separately for six missions corresponding to the priority areas of development of scientific, technical and innovation activities. This allows for a more thorough analysis of the results of the state policy on technological, environmental and social innovations, bringing together different groups of stakeholders, types of economic activity and fields of science to address the urgent socio-economic problems set out in SDG target 17 in a coordinated manner, and, thanks to these changes, more actively influencing the effectiveness of the national policy on achieving the SDGs. Designed for representatives of government bodies, experts, researchers, higher education teachers.

The United Nations’ Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development outlines a comprehensive framework encompassing 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at addressing global challenges and fostering sustainable development. As the world approaches the halfway mark towards the attainment of these goals, it is imperative to assess the progress made and identify strategies to accelerate their implementation. This research paper explores the intersection between SDGs and the role of the Capital Development Authority, focusing on the case study of the Capital Development Authority, locally called Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), in Dhaka, Bangladesh. PURPOSE: The purpose of the research paper is to explore the intersection between the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, specifically Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) and the role of the Capital Development Authority, using the case study of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It will assess the progress made towards SDG 11, which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, particularly in the context of housing and urban development in Bangladesh. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This research combines theoretical frameworks and practical insights to explore the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the operations of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The approach involves: (1) Applying theoretical frameworks to examine how SDGs are embedded within RAJUK’s strategic and operational mandates; (2) Analysing potential synergies between urban development policies and sustainable objectives, focusing on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); (3) Conducting a comprehensive analysis of policy documents, case studies, and stakeholder perspectives to identify challenges and opportunities, and provide actionable recommendations for accelerating Agenda 2030 at the local level; (4) Investigating the role of educational institutions as catalysts for SDG implementation through engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community capacity-building initiatives; (5) Utilising primary and secondary data sources to inform the findings; and (6) Emphasising the importance of strengthening institutional capacity, fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships, and mainstreaming sustainability principles within RAJUK. FINDINGS: The research identifies key challenges and opportunities in integrating SDGs into the mandate of the Capital Development Authority, focusing on Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It highlights potential synergies between urban development policies and sustainable development objectives, particularly in achieving SDG 11. The study underscores the urgency of accelerating the implementation of Agenda 2030 at the local level, with specific relevance to RAJUK. Additionally, it emphasises the pivotal role of educational institutions in driving SDG implementation through community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and capacity-building initiatives. Strengthening institutional capacity, fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships, leveraging technology and innovation, and mainstreaming sustainability principles are identified as critical to enhancing the effectiveness of urban development strategies and housing initiatives aligned with SDGs. ORIGINALITY/VALUE OF THE PAPER: The originality and value of the paper lie in its exploration of the intersection between SDGs and the Capital Development Authority, its emphasis on housing and SDG 11, its recognition of the role of educational institutions, its provision of actionable recommendations, and its insights derived from the case study of RAJUK in Dhaka, Bangladesh. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The practical implications of this research paper lie in its ability to enhance students’ interest in entrepreneurship and internships in universities, and to guide policy-makers, practitioners and stakeholders in developing and implementing strategies that contribute to the realisation of Agenda 2030 goals, particularly in the context of urban development and housing in Bangladesh and beyond. KEYWORDS: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Institutional Capacity; Urban Development Policies; Housing and SDG 11. CITATION: Hoque, M.S. (2024): Accelerating the Implementation of Agenda 2030: The Role of Educational Institutions and Capital Development Authority - A Case Study of Rajuk, Dhaka, Bangladesh. In Ahmed, A. (Ed.): World Sustainable Development Outlook 2024, Vol. 20, pp.99–121. WASD: London, United Kingdom.

Received: 15 August 2024 / Revised: 5 October 2024 / Accepted: 16 January 2025 / Published: 20 March 2025 Purpose: The purpose of the research paper is to explore the intersection between the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, specifically Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) and the role of the Capital Development Authority, using the case study of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It will assess the progress made towards SDG 11, which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, particularly in the context of housing and urban development in Bangladesh. Design/Methodology/Approach: This research combines theoretical frameworks and practical insights to explore the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the operations of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The approach involves: (1) Applying theoretical frameworks to examine how SDGs are embedded within RAJUK’s strategic and operational mandates; (2) Analysing potential synergies between urban development policies and sustainable objectives, focusing on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); (3) Conducting a comprehensive analysis of policy documents, case studies, and stakeholder perspectives to identify challenges and opportunities, and provide actionable recommendations for accelerating Agenda 2030 at the local level; (4) Investigating the role of educational institutions as catalysts for SDG implementation through engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community capacity-building initiatives; (5) Utilising primary and secondary data sources to inform the findings; and (6) Emphasising the importance of strengthening institutional capacity, fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships, and mainstreaming sustainability principles within RAJUK. Findings: The research identifies key challenges and opportunities in integrating SDGs into the mandate of the Capital Development Authority, focusing on Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It highlights potential synergies between urban development policies and sustainable development objectives, particularly in achieving SDG 11. The study underscores the urgency of accelerating the implementation of Agenda 2030 at the local level, with specific relevance to RAJUK. Additionally, it emphasises the pivotal role of educational institutions in driving SDG implementation through community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and capacity-building initiatives. Strengthening institutional capacity, fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships, leveraging technology and innovation, and mainstreaming sustainability principles are identified as critical to enhancing the effectiveness of urban development strategies and housing initiatives aligned with SDGs. Originality/Value of the Paper: The originality and value of the paper lie in its exploration of the intersection between SDGs and the Capital Development Authority, its emphasis on housing and SDG 11, its recognition of the role of educational institutions, its provision of actionable recommendations, and its insights derived from the case study of RAJUK in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Practical Implications: The practical implications of this research paper lie in its ability to enhance students’ interest in entrepreneurship and internships in universities, and to guide policy-makers, practitioners and stakeholders in developing and implementing strategies that contribute to the realisation of Agenda 2030 goals, particularly in the context of urban development and housing in Bangladesh and beyond. Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Institutional Capacity; Urban Development Policies; Housing and SDG 11. Citation: Hoque, M. S. (2025): Bridging educational institutions and capital development authority: accelerating Agenda 2030 through RAJUK in Dhaka, Bangladesh. World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development (WJSTSD), Vol. 20, Nos 1/2, pp. WASD: London, United Kingdom.

Purpose- Globally, climate change and related environmental degradation can greatly prevent countries from achieving their sustainable growth and development goals. In recent years, nation states have focused on green growth by developing venture capital investment policies that will reduce carbon emissions by giving more importance to environmental technology to overcome this. It is seen that venture capital is among the financing types of investments made by countries regarding environmental technology. In addition, the use of venture capital draws attention among investors seeking opportunities in the field of environmental technology. In this context, the aim of the study is to analyze the effect of venture capital investments on environmental technology innovations. Methodology- The panel data analysis method was used in the study, in which annual data covering the period of 2007-2019 for OECD countries were tested. In the research model, the number of patents related to environmental technology belonging to the countries was used as the dependent variable. The independent variables in the model are venture capital investment amount, foreign direct investment, gross domestic product and carbon emission representing environmental pollution. Within the scope of the analysis, first of all, normality, autocorrelation, multicollinearity and heteroscedasticity assumptions related to panel data analysis were tested. Then, Hausman test was performed and a decision was made regarding the appropriate estimation model between fixed effects and random effects models. Findings- As a result of the econometric analysis, a statistically positive and significant relationship was found between the environmental technology indicator and the variables of venture capital investments and gross domestic product. On the other hand, a statistically negative and significant relationship was found between the environmental pollution indicator and foreign direct investment and the environmental technological innovation variable. Conclusion- The results obtained provide evidence that venture capital investments are important on the environmental technological innovation of countries and contribute to environmental innovation. It also indicates that there will be an increase in the level of carbon emissions as the level of environmental technological innovation of countries decreases. Therefore, it can be recommended to encourage venture capital investments that support environmental technological innovation. On the other hand, an increase in foreign direct investment negatively affects the level of environmental technological innovation. As a reason for this, it can be said that foreign capital investments by countries cannot be sufficiently channeled into areas or sectors that contribute to environmental technological innovation. Keywords: Venture capital, environmental technology, panel data analysis, OECD countries JEL Codes: C58, G24, Q56

Innovative responses are necessary to address persistent and intertwined problems such as poverty, resource degradation, or food insecurity. There is a growing expectation for business to play a proactive role in this, but there are still remarkable gaps in our understanding of how exactly business can generate social and environmental innovation. This book focuses on the business of social and environmental innovation in the African context, where these issues are particularly relevant but even less well understood. The following chapter sets the scene by introducing the key concepts and issues at stake. We argue that the emergence of social and environmental innovation is often associated with individual efforts of social entrepreneurs, organizational transformation in incumbent businesses, and/or cross-sector partnerships as collective efforts. This is reflected in the sequence of the chapters in this volume. We identify four cross-cutting themes which are addressed in some way or other by each of the contributing chapters: (1) social innovation as a process or outcome; (2) mapping and scaling up innovations; (3) tension between social purpose and profit generation; and (4) socio-economic and institutional context.

PurposeThis study evaluates the impact of environmental innovation (EI) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) along with mediating role of green branding among the production oriented small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based on the resource-based view (RBV) and ecological modernization theories.Design/methodology/approachThe study compiled data through questionnaire-based survey and inspected via partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to find results.FindingsThe findings indicate that EI aligns positive significant association with SDGs among the production SMEs. The study also discovers that green branding mediates between EI and SDGs.Practical implicationsThe results have interesting implications for policy and explicate the practitioners to apply the techniques of eco-organizational innovation, eco-product innovation and eco-process innovation to achieve SDGs.Originality/valueEven, the topics of EI and SDGs have gained significant attention, but this is the first study in these domains.

This study examines the impact of firms' environmental innovation on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reporting within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Using data from 824 firms over the period 2016–2023, we analyse an unbalanced panel comprising 5739 firm‐year observations. Employing ordinary least squares and fixed effect models, we find that environmental innovation has a significant positive impact on the quantity, quality and scope of SDG reporting. This relationship remains robust across alternative proxies and endogeneity tests. The analysis further reveals that profitability and state ownership act as moderating factors, influencing the relationship between environmental innovation and SDG reporting. Our results remain consistent even after excluding financial firms as well as firms with missing data, confirming the robustness of the findings. We further show that the positive effect of environmental innovation on SDG disclosure is more pronounced in firms with high environmental, social and governance scores, providing support to the signalling and stakeholders theories. These findings underscore the importance of environmental innovation in enhancing SDG reporting practices in GCC countries. Policymakers may consider emphasizing environmental innovation to bolster SDG reporting in the region.

PurposeWhile prosocial motives are found to be conducive to unique manager behaviors, the literature lacks empirical evidence on the relationships between prosocial motives and managers’ willingness to engage in environmental and social innovation (ESI) in business-to-business (B2B) firms and the boundary conditions that shape these relationships. This research endeavors to unlock the potential of prosocial motives in fostering ESI, while investigating the mediating roles of creativity-relevant skills and the moderating influence of business moral values.Design/methodology/approachUsing a quantitative survey approach, we gathered insights from 242 managers within Australia’s food and beverage industry. The authors tested their hypotheses by adopting a covariance-based structural equation modeling approach.FindingsFirst, prosocial motives drive the ESI behaviors of managers in B2B firms. Second, creativity-relevant skills act as the critical bridge connecting prosocial motives with ESI within the realm of B2B firms. Third, business moral values emerge as potent moderating, positively influencing the relationship between prosocial motives and “managers’ willingness to engage in social innovation” within B2B firms.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study examining the relationship between prosocial motives and social and environmental innovation and how this relationship is influenced by creative-relevant skills and business moral values.

The world is experiencing rapid global changes driven by market liberalisation, shifting consumer behaviours, and growing environmental and socioeconomic pressures. To remain competitive and achieve sustainable performance, companies increasingly integrate social innovation and green technologies into their business models. This study investigates the influence of social innovation (SI) on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), considering green technologies (GT) as a mediating factor. Data were collected through an online survey administered to 265 employees and managers of Romanian companies in the production, services, IT, and commerce sectors. A structured questionnaire measured the three constructs - Social Innovation (SI), Green Technologies (GT), and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) - as reflective models, each operationalised through 15 indicators rated on a five-point Likert scale. Data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4.0. The results reveal that SI has a significant positive effect on both GT (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) and SDG (β = 0.35, p < 0.001), while GT also positively influences SDG (β = 0.44, p < 0.001). The mediation analysis confirms that GT partially mediates the relationship between SI and SDG (β = 0.20, p < 0.001). The model demonstrates substantial explanatory power (R² = 0.51 for GT; R² = 0.63 for SDG) and good general fit of the model (SRMR = 0.056). This research contributes to the literature by empirically validating the mediating role of green technologies in linking social innovation with sustainable outcomes and expanding knowledge on how organisations can operationalise the UN 2030 Agenda. The findings offer practical information for managers and policy makers seeking to align corporate strategies with environmental and social objectives through a combined focus on innovation and the adoption of green technologies.

It is inconceivable to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the national level without accomplishing them locally. In the Arab region, municipalities face challenges to meet a widening gap between expenses and revenues. Securing a locally based sustainable financing model is of paramount importance. Wāqf is a value-based funding model that can offer new opportunities for sustainable financing to achieve SDGs locally. It agrees with Islamic law with the intent to promote social cohesion. The paper examines whether Wāqf, as a financing modality, is a Social Innovation (SI) model and its potential to finance development at the local level. The research method applied in this paper is qualitative. The authors compiled over 50 published articles, books, and reports covering the Wāqf and SI. The paper attempts to establish and explain linkages between Wāqf and both SI and SDGs. Content analysis using qualitative data analysis software is the research technique the researchers applied. The paper argues that Wāqf is an SI model. It can fund municipal initiatives that contribute to achieving SDGs. Results reveal linkages between Wāqf and SI and show that they contribute to sustainable development in human settlements. Besides, they both play a decisive role in fostering social equity, economic development, and environmental sustainability. Wāqf is a value-based financing model that satisfies the conditions and attributes of SI. Wāqf is an instrumental tool for financing development and supporting the attainment of SDGs in cities and municipalities. To harness the potential of Wāqf as an enabler for SDGs, organizational and business model innovation are needed to ensure transparency, accountability, and organizational learning.