Construction is one of the most significant industries responsible for the huge extraction of raw materials – 30% of all such extraction worldwide – and 40% of energy- and process-related emissions, including 11% of global greenhouse gases. During operation and demolition, construction generates about 25% of all waste worldwide, along with emitting potentially harmful substances that can lead to drinking water pollution (40%), air pollution (30%) and biodiversity loss. A major challenge in sustainable construction is how to promote secondary construction materials (SCMs) and reduce demolition waste at the same time. Many current studies cite digital platforms (DPs) as an enabler for the circular economy (CE) and sustainability, by advancing novel solutions based on trust, transparency, visibility, connectivity, security, traceability and automation. In Industry 4.0, such innovative technologies – for example, BIM, Digital Twin or AI – are becoming more popular in construction. However, both theoretical and practical implications of DPs for circular SCMs are still at an early stage of development. This research presents the results of a systematic review, using Biblioshiny library and natural language processing (NLP) for content analysis. The aim is to identify digital platform applications for SCMs and how to implement successful DPs in the future in this complex setting.

This article explores the role of Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) in sustainable development, highlighting its potential to address global challenges and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. AIoT combines AI with the Internet of Things, enhancing sustainable development by improving supply chain and transportation efficiency, reducing costs and fostering trust among partners. It also supports the development of sustainable rail transit systems, optimizes traffic control and facilitates autonomous driving. AIoT further streamlines manufacturing processes, increasing efficiency and minimizing waste. The study examines AIoT from academic, domain and industry-specific perspectives. AIoT systems face challenges related to data security, privacy, GDPR compliance, interoperability, financial investment and sustainability. Future research should focus on robust security protocols, energy-efficient hardware and renewable energy sources, requiring collaboration among academia, industry and government.

The tremendous growth of online retail shopping has created another challenge for the environment: the disproportionate packaging waste generated by each delivery of products purchased online. While consumers in countries with a high rate of adoption of online retail shopping have realized the massive proportions of this problem, in other regions awareness remains low. This article aims to explore the awareness of packaging sustainability among young consumers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and identify effective solutions to mitigate excessive packaging waste. Additionally, it seeks to probe directions for future studies on sustainable packaging practices, particularly in rapidly growing markets for online retailing. The study employs secondary research and primary data collection through an online survey targeting young UAE consumers. Findings suggest that while awareness exists, proactive institutional and individual measures remain limited. The study contributes theoretically by addressing a research gap in the sustainable practices in emerging markets, and practically by informing policy-makers and businesses about the need to have regulations on sustainable packaging.

The study undertakes a qualitative analysis of two government-funded zari embroidery clusters in West Bengal, India, set up under a ‘cluster development programme’. The study has two objectives: (1) to identify the constraints faced by embroidery artisans; and (2) to assess the performances of clusters in overcoming those constraints and fostering the profitability of the embroidery craft and capacity-building of the artisans. Primary data were collected from 92 artisans, as well as cluster staff, using semi-structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The findings identify major problems faced by embroidery artisans, such as dependence on intermediaries, unavailability of credit, a shrinking demand for zari craft, low wages and inadequate resilience to exogenous shocks. The interventions of clusters have two major shortcomings: first, they provide limited time-bound support only with respect to technology, training and marketing; and second, there is a predominance of informal networks based on mutual trust and reciprocity, which challenge the collective action. This calls for approaches to cluster initiatives that internalize informality and social cohesion, enabling effective interventions to ensure the long-term viability of artisanal units.

This study investigates the relationship among consumer sustainability concerns, marketing practices and sustainable food choices across four nations: Lebanon, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt. It uses a mixed-methods approach to examine sustainability practices and perceptions in the Arab world using surveys and interviews for comprehensive data collection along with concurrent triangulation to enhance the findings’ validity. The research focuses on understanding sustainability adoption and engagement, while maintaining ethical standards and addressing methodological constraints. The study found that one-third of consumers gravitate towards eco-friendly food products. Managerial interviews further revealed an industry-wide paradigm shift, with giant companies spearheading transitions from traditional to sustainable packaging, a move reciprocated by escalating sales. The quantitative findings of the study unearthed significant positive correlations between consumer concerns and sustainability-centric choices. Marketing practices in the KSA and Egypt disclosed a slightly more profound influence than in Lebanon and the UAE. In essence, this study underscores the escalating consumer inclination towards sustainability. It delineates the consequential imperative for businesses to adeptly navigate and amplify their sustainable marketing strategies for tangible commercial advantages.

The Lean Six Sigma (LSS) approach has become a popular business improvement methodology which observed a significant attention and implementation in different sectors, from manufacturing to the service industry. It reduces waste and defects, thereby increasing the process capability and efficiency. This study provides a bibliometric analysis of LSS deployment across diverse industries over the last decade. It outlines significant trends, pivotal papers and essential regions propelling LSS research. This study makes extensive bibliometric analysis leveraging the Scopus, Google and Web of Science databases from 2014 to 2024. Advanced methodologies, including co-citation analysis, citation network analysis and keyword co-occurrence analysis, are employed to investigate the evolution of LSS. The research examines 6211 articles, methodically refined through keyword selection, concentrating on trends in LSS deployment. The analysis uncovers information regarding worldwide LSS adoption, including prominent institutions, regions and research issues. The United States, India and the United Kingdom are prominent countries, whereas Jiju Antony is the author with the highest publications in LSS research. This study elucidates LSS’s influence across several industries and identifies prospective avenues for future research, including the integration of LSS with Industry 4.0. It provides insights for academics and professionals, driving strategic choices and directing future research in LSS adoption and enhancement.

Clean energy is one of the quintessential elements for sustaining life in modern times. This study performs a bibliometric and content analysis to comprehend sustainable development goals (SDG)-7 academic publications. Four hundred and seventeen articles were extracted from the Scopus and the Web of Science databases. VOSviewer and R Studio were used for data analysis and visualization purposes. Developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and China emerged as leading document producers. China appeared as a trendsetter in sponsoring research works through numerous funding agencies. Apergis, N., Chen, J. and Paramati, S. are the most prominent authors in the said domain. Elsevier emerged as the preferred publisher for academia. ‘Clean Energy’, ‘Energy Policy’ and ‘Climate Change’ are the preferred keywords. This study also offered a detailed road map of SDG-7 research. Emerging research themes are renewable energy, crude oil and the impact of SDG-7. The outcome of the article recommends a study on niche themes such as biofuels and activation energy, which yearn for scholarly attention. This study is the first to visualize and analyse many publications on SDG-7, identify prominent funding agencies and perform a comparative analysis of academic databases.

The study examines how the antecedents in the antecedents-decisions-outcomes (ADO) model support sustainable business model innovation (SBMI) in furniture-manufacturing firms. The research team conducted in-depth interviews with six furniture manufacturers and generated themes from the responses using thematic analysis. To achieve data saturation, the present study conducted two member-check meetings. The findings indicated three main themes from the thematic analysis, which include: design thinking as the strategic driver, waste recycling adoption as the microenvironmental driver and engagement with stakeholders as human perspective. The most important antecedent is the involvement of stakeholders, who were able to holistically impact ecological, social, financial and organizational performance. This study adds compelling empirical support and enhancement to the ADO model towards a robust model in understanding how SBMI can be effectively implemented in furniture-manufacturing firms. Thus, furniture manufacturers need to leverage these three drivers as antecedents in the ADO model.

This study explores the integration of Metaverse technologies into the tourism sector, emphasizing their potential to enhance sustainable and regenerative tourism practices. Through a systematic review methodology of 42 articles, the study identifies significant opportunities presented by immersive technologies such as the Metaverse in transforming tourist experiences, promoting environmental sustainability and supporting local economies. The findings highlight the role of these technologies in reducing the environmental impact of traditional tourism by offering virtual alternatives that decrease carbon footprints and mitigate over-tourism. The study also introduces the Sustainable Virtual Integration Model (SVIM), which provides a framework for leveraging these technologies to create net-positive impacts on the environment and society. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of virtual conservation initiatives and digital economic platforms in preserving natural and cultural heritage sites while fostering economic resilience. However, challenges such as high energy consumption, infrastructure requirements and regulatory and ethical issues must be addressed to realize the full potential of Metaverse technologies in tourism. The study concludes with recommendations for future research to further explore the behavioural, economic, technological, social and ethical dimensions of these technologies, aiming to refine the SVIM framework and advance the development of sustainable and regenerative tourism practices.

The digitalization of the hotel business for sustainability employs innovative technologies to optimize operations for environmental responsibility and improved efficiency. This article examines the strategic implementation of digital solutions to enhance sustainability in hotel operations in North India. The research employs the DEMATEL technique to identify thirteen critical elements influencing sustainable practices, including green purchase intention and government regulation. It delineates the interrelationships among these aspects, providing theoretical perspectives and pragmatic techniques for hotel administration. This study establishes a framework for utilizing digital technologies to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability, emphasizing the potential for broader implementation within the global hospitality sector. Subsequent research may build upon these findings to enhance the incorporation of digital technology in global sustainable hotel management.