Sustainable Innovation Research Articles

Green bonds: Fueling green innovation or just a fad?

This study investigates the impact of green bond issuance on green innovation and its underlying mechanisms. We find that green bond issuance promotes green innovation, with stronger effects observed in regions with weaker climate regulation, industries exhibiting better environmental performance, and firms with more concentrated ownership. Further analysis reveals that corporate green bonds facilitate the reallocation of investment capital into research and development, effectively mitigating financial constraints on green innovation. This upsurge in green innovation not only enhances financial performance but also yields specific environmental benefits, such as improved environmental investment and ESG performance. These empirical results underscore the significance of green finance in fostering sustainable corporate innovation and advancing climate governance, rather than merely engaging in greenwashing practices.

Utilizing support vector machines to foster sustainable development and innovation in the clean energy sector via green finance

Utilizing support vector machines to foster sustainable development and innovation in the clean energy sector via green finance

Impact of electrolyte concentration on electrochemical performance of Cocos nucifera Waste-Derived High-Surface carbon for green energy storage

The increasing popularity of utilizing biomass's natural structure represents a promising avenue for sustainable innovation, as it taps into the inherent characteristics of organic materials to address various environmental and industrial challenges. Researchers and industries continue to explore the full potential of biomass in creating more sustainable and efficient solutions. The transformation of biomass into carbon materials is an indirect means of utilizing CO2 as a carbon source, thus contributing to the sustainable development of energy storage technologies and also in pollution reduction. In the quest for sustainable energy solutions, this research unveils a cost-effective approach to supercapacitor development by harnessing the untapped potential of Cocos nucifera trunk sawdust-derived high-surface carbon (CHSC). Through a meticulous process involving ZnCl2 treatment and KOH activation at varying temperatures, CHSC-700 emerges as a standout electrode material with exceptional structural characteristics, boasting enhanced graphitization and a specific surface area of 1153.72 m2/g. Further, the study delved into the nuanced relationship between electrolyte concentration and supercapacitor performance, pinpointing 6 M KOH as the optimal condition. In 6 M KOH, the electrode exhibits a maximum specific capacitance of 559.27F/g at the current density of 0.5 A/g with outstanding cyclic stability, retaining 80.37 % capacitance after 20,000 cycles and an impressive energy density of 18.92 Wh/kg and power density of 246.75 W/kg. This systematic exploration provides valuable data for understanding the biomass-derived carbon electrode's behaviour under various electrolyte concentrations, offering crucial information for optimizing its performance in practical applications, such as energy storage devices.

TURNING FOOD WASTE INTO GREEN ENERGY A BIO-GAS REVOLUTION

The Bio Gas Revolution stands as a beacon of sustainable innovation, revolutionizing waste management by converting discarded food into valuable green energy through biogas production. This abstract encapsulates the multifaceted approach of this revolution, encompassing waste food diversion strategies, cutting-edge anaerobic digestion technologies, renewable energy generation processes, circular economy principles, and the ensuing environmental-economic sustainability benefits. It underscores the transformative potential of harnessing waste food as a fundamental resource for renewable energy, heralding a new era of environmental preservation, resource optimization, and economic viability in the global energy land scape. It highlights the transformative potential of utilizing waste food as a critical resource for renewable energy, leading to significant environmental benefits, resource efficiency gains, and economic opportunities.. It emphasizes the transformative potential of harnessing waste food as a valuable resource for renewable energy production, contributing significantly to environmental preservation, resource efficiency, and economic viability” Key Words: Food Waste Management, Green Energy, Biogas Production, Sustainable Waste Disposal Submit Research Paper

Top Management Team Stability and Corporate Innovation Sustainability

In recent years, there has been growing recognition that the stability of the top management team (TMT) significantly impacts the operation and management of companies. However, few studies have focused on the impact of TMT stability on innovation sustainability. Therefore, based on the upper echelon theory and the faultline theory, this paper takes China’s A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2022 as a sample to explore the impact of TMT stability on corporate innovation sustainability, as well as the moderating effect of executive faultlines on this impact. The results indicate that TMT stability is positively correlated with corporate innovation sustainability, whereas the executive faultlines significantly weaken this correlation. The mechanism test reveals that a stable senior management team can reduce an enterprise’s operational risk through the management functions of executives, alleviate the financing constraints serving as a stability signal sent by the company to investors and creditors, and thus promote the sustainability of innovation. Heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that the influence of TMT stability on corporate innovation sustainability is more pronounced in companies with a high percentage of executive shareholdings, non-state ownership, and CEOs possessing technical expertise. This paper combines the overall stability of the executive team with the differentiation of its internal subgroups, broadens the research perspective of the upper echelon theory, and serves as a valuable reference for the development of corporate executive teams.

Innovative Research on Traditional Tie-dye Craftsmanship under the Concept of Circular Design

As sustainable development becomes a global consensus, the concept of circular design has been widely applied and researched in various fields, especially in the innovation and inheritance of traditional crafts. The circular design concept offers a new perspective and method. This article, guided by the concept of circular design, discusses how to apply this concept to traditional tie-dye craftsmanship with the goal of achieving sustainable development and innovation in tie-dye techniques. Through an in-depth analysis of the traditional craft process, material use, and cultural significance of tie-dye, a series of innovative paths are proposed, exploring new design directions and market potential for tie-dye products. Introducing the concept of circular design into the exploration and practice of tie-dye craftsmanship not only helps to address current environmental and market challenges but also provides new ideas and methods for protecting and inheriting this traditional craft and promoting its development towards more sustainable and innovative directions.

Technology Acceptance Model for Smartphone Use in Higher Education

Context. The technology acceptance model (TAM) is a theoretical framework that consists of perceived usefulness (PUS), perceived ease of use (PEU), attitude toward using (ATT), behavioral intention to use (USI), and actual system use. Here, actual system use is posed by the smartphone use in higher education (SHE) described such as student self-management (MNG), student learning results (LRS), student achievements perceptions (SFB), student cost-benefits perceptions (VCB), and student expectations (EXP) that help to understand and explain how students’ acceptance and adoption of smartphone technology could be better achieved. Nowadays, after the COVID-19 pandemic, student motivation (MTV) and student quality perceptions (SQY) are two factors that reinforce the TAM model. Problem. The research confronts challenges from the dynamic and rapidly changing technology and education environments. The post-COVID-19 era introduces uncertainties, potentially affecting the TAM-SHE model's long-term sustainability. The fluidity of student preferences and technological advancements obstruct the establishment of a universally applicable framework for smartphone acceptance in education. This raises concerns about the model's adaptability and generalizability across diverse educational settings, emphasizing the careful consideration of evolving factors. Therefore, the following research question is proposed: What is the TAM for SHE empirical framework as an innovative tool? Purpose. The research aims to explore students' acceptance of smartphone technology in education using the technology acceptance model (TAM), focusing on perceived usefulness, ease of use, attitude, intention, and actual system use within smartphone use in higher education (SHE) in the context of post-COVID-19 era, the study considers student motivation (MTV) and student quality perceptions (SQY) as crucial factors enhancing the TAM-SHE framework. Methodology. We determined the following steps: Step 1. A qualitative study based on the Delphi Panel-Focus Group and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine the questionnaire TAM-SHE among three specialists: 1 information technology expert, 1 information technology professor, and 1 university student related to TAM for SHE and questioned about the items and factors related to the preliminary questionnaire design. Step 2. A literature review to explain the items and factors for the questionnaire (ex-ante) proposal involved in the design will be applied to more than 523 Mexican university students in the second semester of 2023. Step 3. Once all the data in the questionnaires had been collected were probed regarding the Cronbach Alpha reliability. A quantitative study on confirmatory factor analysis based on partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with SMART PLS (4.0.9.8) was used to probe convergent, discriminant, and nomological validity for the final conceptual TAM-SHE framework. Theoretical and practical findings. We propose a robust empirical TAM-SHE framework able to explain and predict how their factors enhance smartphone use in higher education. Transdisciplinary and sustainable innovation originality. The utilization of smartphones in higher education contributes to sustainable development by reducing educational disparities between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, mobile learning aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG4, by advancing sustainable quality higher education. Furthermore, it facilitates worldwide access to education, promoting a more inclusive and equitable learning environment Conclusions and limitations. For the post-COVID pandemic era, more studies are necessary to verify the new student motivations (MTV), student quality perceptions (SQY), and the actual system use factors to facilitate mobile technology in use for higher education through the technology acceptance model (TAM).

Research on the Effect of Design Thinking on Enterprise Sustainable Innovation Ability and Team Performance

Design thinking is an interdisciplinary problem-solving approach that combines user-centered focus, challenge framing, visual thinking, experimental methods, and cross-functional collaboration. It has always been regarded as an important means to improve corporate sustainable innovation capabilities and team performance. However, its effectiveness is a controversial topic, with some proponents praising its ability to solve systemic problems while others question its applicability within traditional business processes and its impact on sustainable innovation success. Because of its exploratory nature, there is currently a lack of quantitative empirical research on its impact. Therefore, this study takes Huawei’s electric vehicle R&D sustainable innovation project as an example to explore the impact of design thinking on corporate sustainable innovation capabilities and team performance by analyzing the relationship between design thinking and team empowerment. The study included hypotheses, semi-structured qualitative interviews, quantitative questionnaire data, and structured equation model analysis. This study reveals the mechanism by which design thinking operates in industrial enterprises. There is a positive correlation between design thinking practice and team performance in sustainable innovation projects. Moreover, through the regulation of design thinking, team performance can be strengthened. However, the applicability of design thinking in highly sustainable innovation environments needs further research. In summary, this study provides fundamental insights into the complex relationships between design thinking, corporate sustainable innovation, and team performance, and provides direction for future research.

Design Practices for Sustainability in Micro Enterprises in Brazil Through the Innovation Route

Objective: The research aims to map the concept of Design for Environment (DfE) and propose a plan of guidelines for implementation and use in Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I) teams focused on packaging. It also aims to identify DfE elements, where they are being used and results produced, as well as proposing a checklist to guide sustainable practices in product and/or packaging designs. Method: The research is qualitative, developed through a bibliographic review, when evaluating the scenario of micro-enterprises that use DfE practices in Brazil through innovation processes. As for nature, it is applied by proposing a checklist to guide best practices to position micro-enterprises in the sustainability scenario. In relation to the objectives, the approach is exploratory in explaining the scenario in which micro-enterprises in Brazil are involved in innovation for Sustainability. Results and Discussion: It was found that for most authors, companies have difficulty innovating due to the challenges and uncertainties that surround them. The study finds a panorama that shows fear on the part of micro and small companies regarding take risks inherent to the innovation process. In this context, it is suggested that in future studies, the approach for knowledge of causes that corroborate this scenario, especially those that are directly related to the innovation process for Sustainability. Research Implications: This study collaborates by sharing the scenario that permeates among micro-enterprises in the national scenario, with regard to investments in innovation for sustainability, fears and risks, signaling to those active microentrepreneurs current projects as well as for those with plans for future micro-enterprises. Originality/Value: At the end, a check list was proposed suggesting the main practices based on DfE based on Product Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

Effects of China's low carbon pilot city policy on corporate green innovation: Considering the mediating role of public environmental concern

This manuscript investigates the impact of China's Low Carbon Pilot City Policy on corporate green innovation, focusing on the mediating role of public environmental concern. Through empirical analysis, it aims to re-examine the Porter Hypothesis within this context. The study uses a multi-period difference-in-differences method to analyze the policy's effects and incorporates public environmental concern as a mediator. Findings suggest the policy positively influences corporate green innovation and that public concern plays a crucial mediating role, offering insights for policy formulation and corporate strategy towards sustainable innovation.

Utilizing a Hybrid Approach to Identify the Importance of Factors That Influence Consumer Decision-Making Behavior in Purchasing Sustainable Products

Consumer decision-making behaviors play a pivotal role in the realm of purchasing sustainable products. It is crucial for businesses to understand the key factors that influence consumers’ choices in this context, especially if they aim to align with eco-friendly trends. Conventional methods are inadequate for accurately and successfully identifying the importance of factors that influence consumers’ decision-making behaviors in purchasing sustainable products and stem from a lack of holistic consideration. Conventional methods, like AHP, surveys, questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups, often do not fully consider the many aspects of consumer behavior related to sustainability. To address this gap, our study aims to (1) employ a hybrid approach, integrating conventional methods with cutting-edge machine-learning technology for predicting consumer’s decision-making behaviors in purchasing sustainable products; (2) demonstrate the practical application of this hybrid approach through the example of green furniture; and (3) provide a practical guide for identifying the importance of factors influencing consumers’ decision-making behaviors in purchasing sustainable products. This study will map out implications for the future of consumer decision-making behaviors in purchasing sustainable products. The hybrid approach to studying consumer decision making in sustainable product purchases, combining quantitative and AI methods. This methodology provides a comprehensive analysis of factors influencing environmentally friendly choices, fostering awareness and informed decision making. Businesses can use these insights to tailor strategies, enhance offerings, and meet the rising demand for sustainable products, contributing to environmentally responsible consumer behaviors and promoting economies of scale for sustainable products and innovation. This holistic understanding is crucial for creating a sustainable and socially responsible marketplace.

Navigating the future of urban environments: A comprehensive analysis of contemporary urban planning

This article presents an in-depth exploration of the evolving landscape of urban planning, delving into its historical roots, contemporary practices, and future prospects. It begins by tracing the historical evolution of urban planning, highlighting the transition from the industrial revolution's response to urbanization challenges to the post-WWII era's shift towards sustainable planning. The discussion then progresses to contemporary urban design principles, emphasizing human-centric design, the integration of nature, and the importance of urban resilience in the face of climate change. Furthermore, the article examines the future trends and challenges in urban planning, focusing on the rise of smart cities, the critical role of community engagement, and strategies for sustainable urban expansion. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between urban development, environmental sustainability, and technological innovation, offering insights into creating more livable, resilient, and inclusive urban spaces.

Machine Learning Decision System on the Empirical Analysis of the Actual Usage of Interactive Entertainment: A Perspective of Sustainable Innovative Technology

This study focused on the impact of Netflix’s interactive entertainment on Filipino consumers, seamlessly combining vantage points from consumer behavior and employing data analytics. This underlines the revolutionary aspect of interactive entertainment in the quickly expanding digital media ecosystem, particularly as Netflix pioneers fresh content distribution techniques. The main objective of this study was to find the factors impacting the real usage of Netflix’s interactive entertainment among Filipino viewers, filling a critical gap in the existing literature. The major goal of using advanced data analytics techniques in this study was to understand the subtle dynamics affecting customer behavior in this setting. Specifically, the random forest classifier with hard and soft classifiers was assessed. The random forest compared to LightGBM was also employed, alongside the different algorithms of the artificial neural network. Purposive sampling was used to obtain responses from 258 people who had experienced Netflix’s interactive entertainment, resulting in a comprehensive dataset. The findings emphasized the importance of hedonic motivation, underlining the requirement for highly engaging and rewarding interactive material. Customer service and device compatibility, for example, have a significant impact on user uptake. Furthermore, behavioral intention and habit emerged as key drivers, revealing interactive entertainment’s long-term influence on user engagement. Practically, the research recommends strategic platform suggestions that emphasize continuous innovation, user-friendly interfaces, and user-centric methods. This study was able to fill in the gap in the literature on interactive entertainment, which contributes to a better understanding of consumer consumption and lays the groundwork for future research in the dynamic field of digital media. Moreover, this study offers essential insights into the intricate interaction of consumer preferences, technology breakthroughs, and societal influences in the ever-expanding environment of digital entertainment. Lastly, the comparative approach to the use of machine learning algorithms provides insights for future works to adopt and employ among human factors and consumer behavior-related studies.

Firms' sustainable and responsible innovation in Nigeria: Does informality play a role?

AbstractAt the turn of the millennium, developing countries face a twofold challenge. First, for reasons related to both intra‐ and inter‐generational justice, these countries need to follow sustainable development pathways. Second, they need to understand the deep principles underpinning informality, which is by now recognized as a structuring phenomenon of their economies. This paper sheds light on the relationship between these two goals by investigating how a Nigerian firm being formal versus informal affects its sustainable and responsible innovation (S&RI) activity. Using the entropy balancing methodology to analyze a novel database extracted from the Nigerian Business Innovation Surveys, we find that registered Nigerian firms engage in S&RI much more than those that are not. This suggests that, from the perspective of sustainable development, there should be no hiatus between recognizing the important role of the informal sector in the economy and promoting policies that give firms incentives to exit from it. By encouraging the registration of firms operating informally, these policies should help Nigeria in its transition to a sustainable market economy.

Uncaptured value in sustainable business model innovation: the missing link

PurposeThe purpose of this systematic literature review is to understand what the phenomenon of uncaptured value is, identify where it is operationalized and explore how it can be transformed into value opportunities. Uncaptured value in sustainable business model innovation can lead to new value creation which, in turn, can promote practices of innovation, sustainability and inclusiveness.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review was conducted using eight databases to identify 47 articles using the phrase sustainable business model innovation along with the terms value uncaptured, value surplus, value absence, value missed and value destroyed.FindingsThe findings have identified that uncaptured value is reoccurring in sustainable business model innovation but is left as the missing link. This paper outlines the novelties of uncaptured value in sustainable business model innovation into a framework that can be used for future research, which is also discussed, concluded and suggested.Originality/valueA framework for the continued research on uncaptured value in sustainable business model innovation with an emphasis on influences, operationalization and practices has been created to further the research frontier and capture the missing link.

Synergizing social sustainability and technological innovation for carbon neutrality in OECD economies

AbstractEconomies around the globe are pushing toward a society's sustainability perspectives and upgradation in technology to protect the environment from global warming and the depletion of energy supplies. This shift in perception is primarily intended to alter people's attitudes toward posterity. By integrating the theories of interactions between social and ecological systems and the environment Kuznets curve (EKC) framework, this study explores the impact of nonrenewable energy consumption, social sustainability, and technological innovation on CO₂ emissions across the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) countries from 2001 through 2020. Based on the estimates of FMOLS, PARDL, and QARDL, the 10‐year CO2 emissions and gross domestic product projections are traced using the average growth rate for each country and an average value of independent variables. The findings of this study highlight the detrimental effect of nonrenewable energy consumption on CO₂ emissions, underscoring the urgency for sustainable energy alternatives. However, the positive role of social sustainability and technological innovation in curbing CO₂ emissions within OECD countries is equally significant. Accentuating the importance of social sustainability within this context, the study sheds light on the integral role that societal factors, such as education, public awareness, and social well‐being, play a substantial role in shaping sustainable practices. It is found that Brazil, China, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, and Thailand need to focus on higher economic growth to experience decarbonizing economic growth.

Exploring the Impact of Reinforcing Filler Systems on Devulcanizate Composites.

Composites revolutionize material performance, fostering innovation and efficiency in diverse sectors. Elastomer-based polymeric composites are crucial for applications requiring superior mechanical strength and durability. Widely applied in automotives, aerospace, construction, and consumer goods, they excel under extreme conditions. Composites based on recycled rubber, fortified with reinforcing fillers, represent a sustainable material innovation by repurposing discarded rubber. The integration of reinforcing agents enhances the strength and resilience of this composite, and the recycled polymeric matrix offers an eco-friendly alternative to virgin elastomers, reducing their environmental impact. Devulcanized rubber, with inherently lower mechanical properties than virgin rubber, requires enhancement of its quality for reuse in a circular economy: considerable amounts of recycled tire rubber can only be applied in new tires if the property profile comes close to the one of the virgin rubber. To achieve this, model passenger car tire and whole tire rubber granulates were transformed into elastomeric composites through optimized devulcanization and blending with additional fillers like carbon black and silica-silane. These fillers were chosen as they are commonly used in tire compounding, but they lose their reactivity during their service life and the devulcanization process. Incorporation of 20% (w/w) additional filler enhanced the strength of the devulcanizate composites by up to 15%. Additionally, increased silane concentration significantly further improved the tensile strength, Payne effect, and dispersion by enhancing the polymer-filler interaction through improved silanization. Higher silane concentrations reduced elongation at break and increased crosslink density, as it leads to a stable filler-polymer network. The optimal concentration of a silica-silane filler system for a devulcanizate was found to be 20% silica with 3% silane, showing the best property profile.

Innovation for environmental sustainability: business models for SMEs

PurposeAn effective business model (BM) is essential for the success of any company, with sustainable innovation being a critical component of this model. This entails finding creative ways to meet present needs without compromising future generations. In this regard, cooperation can be crucial in developing sustainable innovation. This paper investigates how different types of cooperation impact the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) innovation for environmental sustainability. In this sense, it intends to compare the effects of cooperation acquired nationally or at a European level.Design/methodology/approachThe methods used are logistic regression for the sample of 87,374 observations from 14 countries of the Eurostat Community Innovation Survey (CIS) database.FindingsThe results confirm that cooperation with national or European agents significantly impacts the innovation for environmental sustainability of SMEs; however, not all cooperations have the same significance level. At a national level, cooperation with the suppliers of equipment, materials, components or software, clients or customers and universities or other higher education institutes impacts the innovations for environmental sustainability developed by SMEs. At a European level, cooperation established with other enterprises within your enterprise group, equipment, materials, components or software suppliers, clients or customers and government, public or private research institutes significantly impacts innovations for environmental sustainability.Originality/valueThis study also provides substantial theoretical contributions on the subject and more information about the importance of cooperation by SMEs in developing innovation for environmental sustainability.

Assessing emerging sustainability-oriented technologies: the case of precision agriculture

The pressing need for a transition towards a more sustainable economy has given rise to sustainability-oriented innovations (SOIs). The development of SOIs involves a wide range of emerging technologies, some of which are highly uncertain and may have the potential to transform an existing industry. Thus, the identification and assessment of emerging technologies is pivotal for established companies to evaluate business opportunities as well as for researchers and policy makers to support the transition to a more sustainable economy. Therefore, we aim to contribute by offering a new approach that seeks to assess such emerging technologies that contribute to sustainability transition (i.e., sustainability-oriented technologies (SOTs)) by means of spectral cluster analysis based on the semantic similarities of scientific research articles in the field of precision agriculture (PA); a case example where multiple SOIs occur. Our analyses reveal that spectral cluster analysis is a suitable approach for assessing emerging SOTs. In addition, multi-perspective assessments based on, inter alia, related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Web of Science subject categories, strategic diagrams, and business models allows to render a holistic assessment of a scientific research area (in this case PA) and its emerging SOTs as well as their evolution into commercial SOIs.

Bridging the Green Gap in Homesharing: How Platforms Can Increase Hosts’ Sustainability Intentions and Behavior

Homesharing platforms are under substantive pressure to become more environmentally sustainable. Key to this challenge is these platforms’ homesharing hosts, who have the opportunity to introduce new sustainability innovations (e.g., water-saving measures). However, knowledge of what drives hosts’ sustainability behavior is currently limited. We address this gap and investigate antecedents for hosts’ sustainability intentions. Our study is based on a survey in Europe (conducted in 12 languages), resulting in a sample of 1,392 hosts. Building on the theory of planned behavior, we perform three analyses: (a) quantitative and theory testing, (b) quantitative and explorative, and (c) qualitative and explorative. Notably, we find that attitude and norms, as well as financial resources and time, are the main drivers of hosts’ sustainability intentions. In addition, the presence of local service offices (i.e., a platform business model that internalizes service operations from hosts) moderates the effects of sustainability antecedents.