This study analyzes the adoption patterns of sustainability practices among oil palm producers in Colombia using cluster analysis of the Sustainability Index (SI). Employing advanced data mining algorithms, including K-means and Ward's method, producers were grouped according to their compliance with sustainable practices at national and regional levels. The analysis revealed ten distinct producer typologies, ranging from "Advanced adopters" to "Lagging adopters" in economic, environmental, and social sustainability dimensions. Key factors influencing cluster formation included palm-growing area, producer scale, age, and gender. At the same time, the Palm Nucleus (organizational model for fruit commercialization) emerged as a significant variable at the regional level. Our findings challenge the conventional notion that adoption of sustainability practices is primarily scale-dependent, showing that contextual factors play a crucial role across all producer categories. This research underscores the importance of more nuanced, context-specific technological extension strategies. By providing a comprehensive understanding of adoption patterns, this study contributes to developing tailored interventions that can effectively promote sustainable practices in the Colombian oil palm sector, regardless of producer characteristics.

The European agricultural sector faces growing economic, environmental, and social challenges threatening farm viability, including market volatility, climate change, and crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Adapting to these pressures requires dynamically operationalising farm resilience, yet research on resilience in EU farming systems remains limited, particularly in the case of Catalan farms. This study examines the interplay between social, economic, and environmental sustainability pillars and farm resilience using structural equation modelling for cereal, rice, grape, and olive farms in Catalonia (2012-2022). The results reveal unexpected patterns across crop types, contradicting conventional sustainability theory; specifically, economic sustainability strongly drives resilience in cereal, rice, and olive farms, while environmental factors predominantly influence grape farm resilience. Contrary to theoretical expectations, social sustainability has negative direct effects on cereal and rice resilience, while showing positive influences in the case of olive farms, challenging assumptions about universal sustainability-resilience synergies. Furthermore, the empirical models indicate strong relationships between sustainability dimensions and resilience. These findings offer a holistic, crop-specific perspective to help policymakers develop targeted resilience strategies that support sustainable agricultural development in Catalonia amid changing global conditions.

Integration of Kaizen-PDCA for Economic and Social Sustainability in the Manufacturing Industry: A Structural Equation Model

Abstract This case study presents an first in the world of its kind, innovative product Idea and a sustainable venture. A business that transforms sugarcane waste (bagasse) into eco-friendly incense sticks. Our startup revolves around the principles of Business 5.0 by integrating humancentric design, Product innovation, and a strong commitment to environmental and social sustainability. This work explores how our business addresses critical global sustainable development goals defined by the United Nations, such as waste management, deforestation, and poverty alleviation, paving the new path for the incense industry on a global level. Keywords: Business 5.0, Innovation, Incense, Sugarcane waste, SDGs

Purpose Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is critical in providing individuals with the information and abilities required to promote and achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This study aims to present a thorough overview of ESD master’s programmes programmes across Europe, the subjects and issues that these programmes address and most importantly, how these themes are connected. Design/methodology/approach This study uses content and network analysis to investigate 16 English-medium ESD master programmes across Europe, looking for important elements, thematic focuses and interdisciplinary approaches in their curricular. Findings The findings show a high level of interdisciplinarity, with 11 of 16 programmes incorporating various sustainability themes. Overall, the curricula’s main focus is the sociocultural dimension, which encompasses cultural values, ethics and citizenship. Themes of environmental sustainability and place-based education have the strongest connections throughout the courses, while social and economic sustainability are often studied together. Research limitations/implications The authors call for future research that examines the extent to which holistic ESD curricula address the moral and ethical aspects of sustainability, and the integration of sustainability governance and sustainability in a digital age into higher education curricula. Originality/value This study adds to the body of literature on ESD in higher education by highlighting the main focus (sociocultural topics), the most connected subjects (place-based learning and environmental sustainability) and the less common interactions (governance and sustainability in digital era with the three sustainability pillars) in English-medium ESD programmes offered in European institutions.

Indicator-based assessment of social sustainability in urban water management across contrasting governance contexts.

ABSTRACT Hong Kong’s development has long relied on a land-based model serving both fiscal and governance roles, but this approach is now undergoing major changes amid institutional and economic transition. This study introduces a novel computational approach to analyse how the government’s land policy intensity has evolved amid shifting fiscal priorities and developmental strategies. Using manually labelled sentences from Policy Addresses between 1997 and 2023, a fine-tuned large language model (ERNIE) identifies policy orientations related to land resource allocation, market regulation, and development – protection balance. The resulting policy intensity index has been employed in a time-series analysis to examine the dynamic relationship between policy efforts and land-related fiscal outcomes. The empirical findings reveal a strategic recalibration of Hong Kong’s land governance: intensified land policies significantly reduce the absolute magnitude of land revenue but do not alter its relative fiscal importance. This pattern reflects the government’s gradual shift from revenue maximization towards social welfare and sustainability objectives, while remaining constrained by deep institutional path dependency. The dynamic results further indicate a bidirectional causal relationship one year after the release of the annual Policy Addresses, policy dominance for two years, and the dissipation of effects three years and beyond.

Purpose This study aims to develop a hybrid model integrating the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method and System Dynamics (SD) to analyze how green variables (green training, environmental awareness and green practice adoption) enhance human resource capabilities (HRCs). By identifying causal relationships among ten key human resource (HR) factors and simulating their dynamic interactions, the research provides insights into strengthening organizational sustainability. The model offers a strategic framework for policymakers and managers to align HR development with environmental objectives and build adaptive, resilient workforces. Design/methodology/approach This study used an integrated framework combining the DEMATEL and SD. Expert assessments from industrial specialists were collected to identify and analyze causal relationships among key HR capability factors. These relationships were then incorporated into a SD model to simulate long-term behaviors under multiple green scenarios, enabling both static and dynamic evaluation of human resource capabilities in sustainable industrial contexts. Findings The results reveal that green training, environmental awareness and the adoption of green practices significantly enhance critical Human Resource Capabilities, particularly adaptability, professionalism, safety awareness and responsibility. These factors not only improve individual competencies but also generate reinforcing feedback loops within the organizational system. The dynamic simulations further show that combined green interventions accelerate capability growth, promoting long-term organizational resilience, innovation and alignment with sustainability objectives in industrial environments. Research limitations/implications This research primarily relies on simulation data derived from expert assessments, which limits its external validity. Although sensitivity tests and scenario comparisons were performed, the absence of empirical organizational data constrains the generalizability of findings. Future studies should incorporate real-world data sets across diverse industries to validate the model, refine causal assumptions and explore additional HR and green variables for broader application in sustainable workforce management. Practical implications The study provides actionable insights for managers and policymakers by showing how green training, environmental awareness and eco-friendly practices can be systematically embedded into HR strategies. By adopting this integrated approach, organizations can enhance workforce adaptability, responsibility and professionalism while aligning HR policies with sustainability objectives. This framework supports long-term competitiveness, improved employee engagement and the development of resilient workforces capable of responding to dynamic environmental and industrial challenges. Social implications This study highlights how embedding green initiatives within HR practices fosters eco-friendly behaviors, ethical responsibility and social awareness among employees. By strengthening teamwork, professionalism and safety consciousness, organizations can create a culture that values environmental stewardship and collective resilience. Such practices not only contribute to reduced ecological impact but also enhance social sustainability, ensuring that industrial growth is aligned with broader societal well-being and long-term environmental responsibility. Originality/value The study offers a novel and replicable framework that systematically integrates human resource management practices with organizational sustainability goals, emphasizing feedback loops, continuous learning and adaptive strategies to enhance both employee performance and long-term environmental and social impact.

Purpose This study aims to develop a theory-based framework for sustainable third-party logistics (3PL) provider selection by drawing on the resource-based view (RBV), transaction cost economics (TCE) and stakeholder theory. It addresses the research gap between sustainability theory and practical decision-making in logistics outsourcing, focusing on the Turkish machinery industry as an emerging-market setting. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory study was conducted using a theory-based framework and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) analysis based on expert evaluations. First, a conceptual framework was developed based on a comprehensive literature review. Then, the AHP was applied to prioritize sustainability-related 3PL selection criteria across economic, environmental and social dimensions. Data were collected from a panel of 10 experienced logistics decision-makers in Turkey's machinery sector using pairwise comparisons. Findings The study finds that economic criteria dominate the 3PL selection process, with cost, quality and reliability ranked as the most influential sub-criteria. Environmental and social dimensions followed, with environmental legal and policy frameworks, green packaging, and health and safety receiving relatively high priority. These results suggest that sustainability considerations are gaining attention, while cost efficiency remains the dominant concern in the studied context. Research limitations/implications The study is exploratory and limited by a small expert sample size and industry-specific focus. The use of AHP, while effective for preference structuring, does not incorporate empirical performance data. The proposed theoretical model requires further empirical validation across broader contexts. Practical implications The findings provide a structured basis for practitioners to integrate sustainability considerations into 3PL selection processes. The study offers insights for managers in emerging market settings aiming to balance cost efficiency with environmental and social performance when outsourcing logistics operations. Social implications The research draws attention to social sustainability elements – such as worker safety, community engagement and employee rights – which remain underexplored in logistics decisions. Promoting these factors can lead to stronger stakeholder alignment and improved corporate responsibility outcomes. Originality/value This study examines sustainable 3PL provider selection in the Turkish machinery industry by applying established theoretical lenses – RBV, TCE and stakeholder theory – to structure and interpret sustainability-related criteria. Rather than proposing a new theory, the study provides context-specific empirical evidence on how firms prioritize economic, environmental and social considerations when selecting 3PL providers in a capital-intensive manufacturing sector that is closely linked to European markets. By combining a theory-informed framework with AHP-based expert judgments, the study contributes exploratory insights into the trade-offs firms face between cost efficiency, regulatory compliance and workforce-related social concerns.

Purpose This study explores the urgent issue of how a supplier’s social reputation and compliance programs (CPs) together affect buyer trust and the choice of socially responsible suppliers. This area remains underexplored, despite the continued rise in stakeholder and regulatory demands for social sustainability in supply chains. Design/methodology/approach We conducted a cross-country, 2 x 2 full-factorial, scenario-based experiment with 308 purchasing and supply chain managers from the UK and the US. Hypotheses were tested using a linear moderated mediation model based on signaling theory (ST). Findings The findings indicate that trust predominantly mediates the relationship between a supplier's socially responsible reputation (SRR) and supplier selection. Moreover, a CP moderates the positive effect of social reputation on buyer trust. This illustrates the complex interaction between reputation and compliance as social indicators in supplier selection choices. This emphasizes trust as a key factor that converts intangible social reputation into tangible supplier performance results. Practical implications We advise managers to focus on developing and communicating social responsibility, reputation, and CPs. This approach can foster buyer trust and enhance competitive positioning in markets that are increasingly shaped by social and regulatory expectations. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing literature by empirically elucidating the interaction between reputation and CPs as credible signals that mitigate information asymmetry and inform responsible supplier selection. Our experimental design provides robust evidence on how trust mediates supplier selection decisions, thereby refining applications of ST to socially responsible sourcing.

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have increasingly been adopted worldwide as policy instruments for industrialization, export promotion, and employment creation. However, despite their rapid expansion, the long-term sustainability of SEZ projects remains uneven, particularly in emerging economies such as Kenya, where several zones continue to operate below expected performance levels. Existing studies largely emphasize financial viability while paying limited attention to how governance and institutional factors jointly influence multidimensional sustainability outcomes. This study therefore examines the combined influence of project finance structuring, public sector participation, and institutional capacity on the sustainability of SEZ projects in Kenya. In this study, sustainability is conceptualized through the triple bottom line dimensions of economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and collected primary data from stakeholders across SEZ projects using structured questionnaires administered to project managers, government officials, and community representatives. Reliability and validity of measurement instruments were confirmed through Cronbach’s alpha and factor analysis, while diagnostic tests verified compliance with regression assumptions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression techniques. Descriptive findings indicate moderate overall project sustainability, with economic sustainability recording relatively stronger outcomes compared to social and environmental sustainability, suggesting uneven progress across sustainability dimensions. Regression results show that public sector participation emerged as the strongest predictor of SEZ projects’ sustainability, followed by institutional capacity, while project finance structuring demonstrated only a moderate relationship and became statistically insignificant when public sector participation and institutional factors were jointly considered. Collectively, the integrated model explained approximately 76.5% of the variation in SEZ projects’ sustainability. The study concludes that sustainable SEZ projects in Kenya depends less on project finance structuring alone and more on strong institutional systems and proactive public sector participation capable of balancing economic growth with social and environmental objectives. The findings contribute to policy and practice by emphasizing a shift from finance-centric SEZ projects development toward integrated governance frameworks that promote inclusive and environmentally responsible industrialization.

Abstract. Transportation systems play a critical role in supporting economic and social sustainability, yet they are exposed to a range of vulnerabilities, including natural disasters, climate change, infrastructure failures, and human-induced disruptions. In this context, assessing the resilience and service continuity of transportation systems has emerged as a key research area. This research explores critical issues in transportation resilience, highlighting existing limitations and areas for improvement. While previous studies have addressed certain aspects of resilience (e.g., only topological indicators, single-mode network behavior, or static network structure), they often fall short of meeting the complex demands of contemporary urban transportation systems, indicating a clear need for new perspectives and approaches. To operationalize the proposed framework, a stepwise algorithm is developed that integrates heterogeneous data, monitors system dynamics, measures resilience metrics, predicts disruptions, and implements adaptive interventions. To further illustrate its applicability, the framework is demonstrated through two representative campus-scale scenarios addressing flood resilience management and air quality–driven mobility guidance. By conceptualizing transportation resilience through five key dimensions—integrate, observe, measure, predict and adapt, —this research proposes a comprehensive framework intended to advance both theoretical understanding and practical implementation in urban planning contexts.

Achieving rural social sustainability requires both income growth and a reduction in rural income inequality. Strengthening farmland property rights is widely expected to contribute to these goals, yet the evidence remains limited. Building on a “property rights–factor allocation–income” framework, this study uses rural micro panel data from CHARLS (2011–2018) and combines two-way fixed effects with a chain multiple-mediation model to examine how farmland property rights strength (FPRS) relates to these outcomes. The results show the following: (i) FPRS has a dual total effect, raising household per capita income (0.683) while reducing the Gini coefficient (−0.032); (ii) effect decomposition indicates that the impacts are dominated by the direct effect, accounting for 96.47% and 98.37% of the total effects on per capita income and the Gini coefficient, respectively; (iii) the indirect transmission is structurally asymmetric, with income growth relying on seven “independent–chain” mediation paths involving land, labor, and capital, whereas inequality convergence operates only through farmland transfer-out and (iv) stronger property rights further reshape income composition by activating both agricultural and non-agricultural income through differentiated direct effects and mediated paths. This study identifies underlying mechanisms and offers policy implications for strengthening the direct effect of farmland property rights reform and improving factor allocation channels to achieve rural social sustainability outcomes.

Responsible design and use of social media technology: A reflective case study on raising awareness towards social sustainability

Abstract Maritime ports are under growing pressure to reconcile operational efficiency with environmental and social sustainability. This paper investigates how open innovation can accelerate sustainable transformation across port ecosystems by proposing the integrative paradigm of Open Sustainable Innovation (OSI). The study adopts a semi-systematic literature review of peer-reviewed articles indexed in Scopus and Web of Science (2014–2024). Bibliometric mapping techniques were combined with qualitative synthesis to identify recurrent practices and trends. Comparative evidence from leading European ports complements the analysis. The findings reveal that OSI practices—such as open data initiatives, incubators, start-up challenge programs, and multi-stakeholder governance intermediaries—support improvements in process efficiency, environmental performance, and digital capability building. At the same time, significant barriers persist, including institutional inertia, fragmented funding, regulatory misalignment, uneven digital maturity, and limited impact assessment. Evidence from Rotterdam, Valencia, Barcelona, and Motril demonstrates that the orchestration capacity of port authorities and intermediaries, supported by robust digital infrastructures and inclusive innovation cultures, determines the scalability of OSI initiatives. Conceptually, OSI is positioned as the coupling of cross-boundary knowledge flows with triple-bottom-line objectives. The article concludes by outlining a future research agenda focused on ecosystem governance, value distribution, and long-term impact evaluation. By consolidating fragmented knowledge, this study contributes to both academic discourse and managerial practice, providing guidance for ports seeking to move beyond isolated pilot projects towards systemic, sustainability-aligned innovation.

Environmental effects of social media on university students: A joint moderated mediation analysis of social connectedness and sustainability awareness, and perceived social support.

A social sustainability assessment of a newly developed solar thermal energy system for industrial integration

From interaction to impact: Examining the role of chatbots in enhancing social sustainability using SEM-ANN approach

Advancing social sustainability of battery: developing social product category rules - Goal and Scope

Does shared platform matter? The impact of platform leadership on research innovative behaviors in universities.