Sustainable Innovation Research Articles

Towards transformative experiential learning in science- and technology-based entrepreneurship education for sustainable technological innovation

Science and technology-based entrepreneurship education (SBEE) is crucial for the valorisation of newly developed fundamental knowledge and innovative technology in science faculties. This is an important factor in enabling science to respond to societal challenges related to sustainability. However, its didactics are currently underdeveloped. Experiential learning plays an important role in SBEE. Against this background, the current study addresses the following research question: What are the specifications of experiential learning for further developing the didactics of SBEE, as identified through systematic assessment? The study reveals that significant improvement is possible when systematic attention is paid to the implementation of four core activities of experiential learning: bringing real-worldness into the learning setting, recognising the ill-defined nature of management problems and entrepreneurial challenges, encouraging involvement in the execution of management interventions, and highlighting the importance of reflection. Furthermore, we draw upon the literature stating that for a transformative experiential learning effect, the sole focus on a business logic in current SBEE needs to be transcended to enable such entrepreneurship and sustainability education to contribute to the kind of out-of-the-box technological innovation solutions required for the current, pressing sustainability challenges that society faces. This study provides the first evidence that dedicated attention to critical reflection is a crucial component in the design of the experiential learning process for science- and technology-based entrepreneurship and sustainability education.

Hedge fund activism, R&D efficiency and firm value

We investigate the effectiveness of hedge fund activism in addressing inefficient R&D investment and creating long-term value at target firms. Using an endogenous growth model to estimate efficient R&D investment levels, we find target firms exhibit a tendency to overinvest in R&D. The likelihood of being targeted and activism announcement returns increase with R&D overinvestment. Despite observable cuts in R&D expenditure following activism, our analysis shows no significant improvement in R&D efficiency over the subsequent three years. Additional tests, controlling for the activist’s objectives, reputation, and stock selection ability, reveal a negative impact of activism on value creation. Our study offers important insights into how hedge fund activism shapes corporate R&D strategies and highlights challenges in achieving sustainable innovation and value enhancement through activist interventions.

From manure to megawatts: Navigating the sustainable innovation solution through biogas production from livestock waste for harnessing green energy for green economy

This article aims to provide a systematic review of the literature on animal biomass and biogas plants through an analysis of externalities and benefits in economic, social, and environmental terms. In recent years, the spread of biogas plants has played an important role, especially in rural areas, generating benefits not only for the individual farm but for entire communities, contributing to the reduction of energy poverty and, at the same time, promoting the production of energy and organic manure. In light of the findings, the study argues that: (a) more public subsidies are needed; (b) the deployment of an appropriate policy mix would encourage the spread of small and medium-sized plants, with a reduction in road transport; and (c) targeted and diversified investments are needed on a geographic-by-geographic basis.

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS (MAS): A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK TO ENHANCE SME’s PERFORMANCE

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the global economy by creating jobs and fostering economic expansion. SMEs, however, frequently have difficulties in optimizing their operations, especially in the areas of management accounting, financial management and decision-making. The adoption and use of Management Accounting Systems (MAS) in SMEs is still lacking, despite their critical role in providing relevant data for decision-making. This conceptual paper offers an approach for developing and carrying out successful MAS that is especially appropriate for SMEs. Using theoretical ideas and prior research, the paper outlines the fundamental components of MAS with an emphasis on SMEs, including cost accounting, budgeting, performance evaluation, and strategic planning. It is stressed that SMEs have unique characteristics that necessitate a flexible and adaptable approach to MAS deployment. These characteristics include resources constraints, limited expertise, and unpredictable environments. Furthermore, the paper explores the potential benefits of implementing modern technologies in order to improve the usability and accessibility of MAS for SMEs. By utilizing these technologies, SMEs can enhance data accuracy, enable real-time decision-making, and can overcome traditional barriers of MAS adoption. In conclusion, this conceptual paper adds to the body of literature by providing a thorough framework for creating and executing MAS that are specific to the requirements and limitations of SMEs. The proposed framework seeks to promote sustainable growth, innovation, and competitiveness in the SME sector by strengthening the financial management capacities of SMEs.

Enhancing cybersecurity protocols in the era of big data and advanced analytics

In the modern digital landscape, the exponential growth of big data and the proliferation of advanced analytics present both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges for cybersecurity. This review explores the imperative of enhancing cybersecurity protocols to safeguard sensitive information and ensure the integrity of digital infrastructures in an era characterized by vast data generation and sophisticated analytical techniques. As organizations across various sectors leverage big data to drive innovation and gain competitive advantages, they simultaneously face heightened risks from cyber threats. Advanced analytics, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, offer potent tools for detecting and mitigating these threats. However, the integration of such technologies into cybersecurity frameworks demands a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach. Key to this enhancement is the development of robust data governance policies that ensure data integrity, confidentiality, and availability. These policies must address the complexities introduced by diverse data sources, varied data formats, and the velocity at which data is generated and processed. Additionally, the implementation of machine learning algorithms can significantly improve threat detection capabilities by identifying patterns and anomalies indicative of cyber threats, thus enabling proactive defense mechanisms. Moreover, enhancing cybersecurity protocols involves the adoption of encryption techniques and secure communication channels to protect data both at rest and in transit. Continuous monitoring and real-time analytics are crucial for maintaining situational awareness and promptly responding to potential breaches. The utilization of big data analytics also facilitates the identification of vulnerabilities and the assessment of risk profiles, allowing for the prioritization of security measures based on threat severity and impact. Despite the technological advancements, challenges such as data privacy concerns, algorithmic biases, and the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals persist. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted strategy encompassing regulatory compliance, ethical considerations, and ongoing education and training. In conclusion, enhancing cybersecurity protocols in the era of big data and advanced analytics is essential for protecting critical digital assets and maintaining trust in digital ecosystems. By integrating cutting-edge analytical tools and establishing comprehensive data governance frameworks, organizations can effectively mitigate cyber risks and leverage the full potential of big data for sustainable growth and innovation.

Enhancing the Organizational Innovation: The Role of HRM Practices and Transformational Leadership in SMEs

Objective: The objective of this research is to reveal the relationship between Human Resource Management (HRM) practices and organizational innovation, mediated by Collective Organizational Engagement and moderated by Transformational Leadership, in the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kendari City.Methodology: This study employs a quantitative methodology using Structural Equation Modeling, specifically Partial Least Squares (SEM PLS). The data is cross-sectional, collected at a single point in time through the distribution of questionnaires. The study involves a total of 260 SMEs located in Kendari City.Findings: The study indicates that effective HRM practices foster organizational innovation by creating a supportive work environment. HRM enhances collective employee engagement, contributing to innovation through active participation in idea development. Transformational leadership strengthens this relationship by motivating employees to excel.Conclusion: Efficient HRM practices promote organizational innovation by creating a supportive work environment and enhancing employee engagement. Transformational leadership further accelerates innovation by motivating employees. Integrating effective HRM with transformational leadership creates a conducive environment for sustainable innovation within the organization.

Sustainability of Makerspaces: Developing a Framework for Sustainable Community Innovation Centers

Innovation can play a vital role in economic freedom. However, innovation activities at the community level face numerous obstacles. Spaces like makerspaces and fabLabs vitalize innovation, education, and entrepreneurship within communities. Nevertheless, scarce research addresses the transient nature of these spaces; their premature cession adversely affects their members and the surrounding community. In this study, we develop a novel sustainability framework for community innovation centers through the lens of makerspaces that helps reveal when some centers remain open and meet their objectives and how others close and fail to do so. These centers possess economic and social growth potential, aligning with HCI’s mission to unlock human potential. Building on established ICT4D (Information and Communications Technologies for Development) frameworks, we studied makerspaces across the USA. The resulting framework highlights the importance of fostering a community through the interactions between people and resources, supported by an integrated management, process, and finance infrastructure. This work provides an understanding of how to foster sustainable innovation at the community level.

Navigating the Future of Chemistry: Priorities and Opportunities for Sustainable Innovation (review)

Navigating the Future of Chemistry: Priorities and Opportunities for Sustainable Innovation (review)

Kansei Drives Sustainable Material Innovation—An Approach to Enhance the Added Value of Biomass Materials

Abstract: In this study, we discovered that the physical composition of materials can significantly affect users’ psychological and physiological responses. Materials research constantly offers novel materials as better alternatives to convention. However, the functionality of a material no longer ensures its commercial success and widespread use. Additionally, the material should provide significant added value beyond its practical evaluation. Kansei, a concept derived from the Japanese language, pertains to the psychological perception of a product’s functionality and has attracted considerable attention in both industry and academia. This study proposes a Kansei-driven sustainable material method to enhance materials’ added value. We quantified users’ Kansei of tea waste materials via experiments. Specifically, we first measured the physical qualities of the materials, such as their color, surface roughness, and odor index. Next, we used semantic differential and pairwise comparison methods to measure users’ impressions and preferences toward the materials. We also employed wearable physiological measurement devices to capture users’ reactions to the materials, including the skin conductance level (SCL) and heart rate (HR). Finally, we conducted correlation analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) on the collected physical, psychological, and physiological data. This study found strong correlations between the materials’ frictional coefficients and surface roughness and people’s psychological evaluations, such as sensory and safety factors. In addition, we also found that these physical qualities affect people’s HR and SCL, leading to changes in people’s emotions. These findings carry significant implications for enhancing the added value of materials.

Future Innovation Unleashed for Sustainability in Longitudinal Research in Micro- and Small-Sized Enterprises

The research reveals how micro- and small-sized enterprises can unleash future innovation to pursue sustainability. This empirical participatory action research is conducted from 2018 to 2022 in 18 multi-case micro- and small-sized enterprises. The findings reveal that these enterprises pursue sustainability through instrumental, moral and intrinsic value creation in combination. Despite the experienced uncertainty and resource limitations of the participating enterprises, they can pursue future innovation to create value for customers and society addressing, respectively, UN SDGs No. 3, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 17. None of the hitherto noted entrepreneurial literature branches can alone support micro- and small-sized enterprises to pursue future innovation. However, the literature branches illustrate individual useful strengths. Furthermore, they illustrate limitations for value creation. The illustrated useful strengths and the accompanying limitations call for context-dependent use in micro- and small- sized enterprises through the integration of the relevant specific extant literature branches to support their innovation aims, respectively, utilising opportunities, their own and others’ heterogeneous behaviours and reorganising resources to unleash future sustainable innovation in an action learning approach. Further collaborative participatory action research is needed to support and enable the practical implication potential for value creation in micro- and small-sized enterprises.

Strategic Digital City: Multiple Projects for Sustainable Urban Management

In the last two decades, sustainable urban environments have been predominant, meaning that knowledge production has accompanied this growth. The objective of this study is to present multiple projects for sustainable urban management applied in cities, based on the original Strategic Digital City (SDC) concept, model, and project. The research methodology included an SDC systematic literature review, highlighting the sustainability and respective action research of 11 doctoral theses and multiple projects. The obtained results highlight a set of published multiple projects that form a practical analytical cycle of sustainable and interconnected urban processes through the original SDC framework proposition, SDC, which can be applied in different cities in different countries. The innovations present in the SDC multiple projects propose a theoretical–empirical debate in the interdisciplinary areas of urban management, municipal administration, and sustainable public innovation, with a focus on local government and democracy studies, prioritizing sustainable strategies in cities and not just technologies. The conclusion reiterates that the original multiple projects, created and applied in different cities, present an interdisciplinary advance in sustainable urban management areas and public administration, focused on sustainable urban studies.

Recent Trends in Life Insurance: Innovations, Challenges, and Implications

This research paper explores recent trends in the life insurance industry, focusing on innovations, challenges, and implications for insurers, consumers, and regulators. Drawing on a comprehensive review of literature, market analysis, and industry reports, the paper examines key trends shaping the landscape of life insurance in the digital age. It highlights the impact of technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, regulatory developments, and demographic shifts on product design, distribution channels, underwriting practices, and risk management strategies. The paper also discusses emerging opportunities and challenges for life insurers in addressing the evolving needs and expectations of customers, enhancing operational efficiency, and navigating regulatory complexities. Through a critical analysis of recent trends, the paper aims to provide insights into the future direction of the life insurance industry and inform stakeholders about potential strategies for sustainable growth and innovation.

The Use of Big Data Analysis in Digital Empowerment of Sustainable Technological Innovation Management of Ecological Enterprises.

With the social economy's rapid progress and the popularization of environmental awareness, ecological enterprises have gradually become a crucial trend in the development of modern enterprises. This work intends to promote the development of ecological enterprises to a higher level. This work first analyzes the management mode of ecological enterprises in the context of big data in China. Then, it establishes various indicators to analyze the role of sustainable technological innovation in enterprise development and the impact of digital empowerment on enterprise development. Finally, this work takes China's manufacturing industry and ecological enterprises in Hubei Province as examples to summarize the digital empowerment of sustainable technological innovation management of ecological enterprises under the background of big data. The final result indicates that sustainable technological innovation significantly reduces ecological enterprises' resource consumption and waste emissions. Additionally, it has a significant positive effect on improving enterprise output value and economic benefits. The digital empowerment of enterprises has a significant driving effect on sustainable technological innovation, with a digital driving coefficient of 26. This work provides a feasible scheme for the specific application of big data analysis in the technology innovation management of ecological enterprises, including market demand analysis, environmental monitoring and governance, technology assessment and risk management. This work expounds the role of big data analysis technology in improving decision-making efficiency, optimizing resource allocation and enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises in the digital empowerment of ecological enterprises.

Investigating Co-Innovation strategies to prevent food loss in the fruits and vegetables sector

The transition towards sustainable food systems implies the exploration of drivers and challenges for the adoption of innovative solutions by the operators on the value chains. The development of innovative approaches is critical to improve the collaboration of different stakeholders on sustainability topics. The Q-methodology combines qualitative and quantitative analysis to navigate subjective stakeholder perspectives, aiming to find shared strategies and enhance collaborative approaches on complex topics. This study employs Q-methodology to investigate stakeholders' viewpoints on reducing food losses in the Italian fruit and vegetable sector, focusing on the upstream phases of the supply chain. The aim is to explore the perspectives of producers, experts, and institutional representatives towards sustainable innovations in food losses prevention and management practices. The integration of technological innovation is described as a key factor, but the adoption process is hampered by structural supply chain burdens. The results enforced the adoption of sustainable technologies by operators, reporting that collaboration can enhance efficiency, quality management, and sustainability during fruit and vegetable production and distribution operations. Innovative solutions to mitigate food losses risk are driven by resource-efficiency network strategies that should imply a positive environmental and social performances. The application of the Q-methodology allows for a deeper understanding of the emerging challenges during the adoption of food loss reduction strategies. The findings reported the significance of collaboration, technological innovation integration, and sustainable practices across the supply chain. This research contributes to the development of effective, stakeholder-supported strategies and informs policymakers in the fruit and vegetable sector about different solutions to mitigate food losses.

FEMINISM: THREATS TO FAMILY RESILIENCE IN INDONESIA

This research looks at how AILA Indonesia resisted attacks from feminists who were thought to be attacking the core of the Indonesian family. To collect data, interviews, periodic observations, and documentation studies were carried out within seven months. In the meantime, the data was analyzed through a communication strategy and da'wah strategy approach. The general chairman, secretary general, head of the field of research, and two discussion participants were all interviewed in person. The findings from this research indicate that this alliance has struggled to take a bina’an (defensive) and difa'an (offensive) approach. Defensively, they approach the community through regular educational programs, in the form of Focus Group Discussions (FGD), Training for Trainers (TFT), and seminars which are supported by published writings in the form of articles and books. During this time, the offensive approach was carried out by submitting a Judicial Review (JR), criticizing several articles that were seen to be meaninglessly biased, and persistently speaking opinions by bringing specialists to the Rapar Dengar Pendapat (RDP) in the constitutional court. The information gathered also revealed that the tactic employed was a common-sense approach that involved inviting the audience to tafakkur, ta'ammul, and tadabbur to the principles put forth by the feminists. This study has significance for the government's or religious institutions' efforts to increase family resilience in Indonesia through new sustainable techniques and innovation.

Entrepreneurial competencies in the success of enterprises: A bibliometric analysis of the publications in the field

There has been an acceleration in competence-based management in recent years, which has, in turn, influenced entrepreneurial success by strengthening entrepreneurial competencies. This study aims to analyse and predict the future of the research on entrepreneurial competencies using bibliometric methods. For this purpose, VOSviewer software was used for co-word analysis. Bibliometric methods such as citation analysis and co-author analysis were used to analyse the studies related to entrepreneurial competencies. It was found that most publications were published in 2019 based on a search in the Web of Science database between 1995 and 2023. The analysis of 1403 publications revealed that 460 proceeding papers, 10 early access and 210 book chapters were involved in the search. After reducing the set to include articles, 914 papers were evaluated. Results show that the authors most cited over the years are Lans Thomas, Al Mamun Abdullah, Mulder Martin, and Obschonka. Furthermore, it was found that Spain had the highest number of published works, followed by China and the USA respectively. Study findings also revealed that entrepreneurial competencies are more related to core, emotional, and network competencies and sustainable development, creativity, innovation, social capital, and higher education.

Change starts within: does managerial ability matter to green innovation?

This study delves into the crucial link between managerial ability and green innovation. Motivated by the need for sustainable business practices and the pivotal role innovation plays in environmental sustainability, we identify a significant gap in the existing literature: the specific impact of managerial ability on fostering green innovation has not been adequately explored. Our research is anchored in the resource-based view, arguing that managerial ability is a strategic resource that can significantly influence a firm’s capacity for green innovation. Our empirical analysis employs multiple regression analysis on a dataset of 2455 Chinese A-share listed companies from 2008 to 2022, examining the relationship between managerial ability and green innovation. To ensure a thorough investigation, we control for both firm-specific and year-specific fixed effects. Our findings reveal a significant positive correlation between managerial ability and green innovation, highlighting the critical role of managerial competencies in enhancing environmental innovation. Notably, subgroup analyses indicate that this relationship is more pronounced in state-owned enterprises, firms with a higher proportion of institutional investors, and in contexts with stricter environmental regulations and less developed product markets. These results not only fill the identified gap in the literature by providing empirical evidence of the impact of managerial ability on green innovation but also offer practical insights for businesses, managers, and policymakers looking to promote sustainable innovation.

An Analysis of Contextual Characteristics for the Successful Design and Implementation of a Blended English Learning Program in a Higher Education Institution: A Possibility to Innovate

Innovations are usually associated with new technologies and applications. When it comes to teaching, the term pedagogical innovation is to introduce something new to improve learning and teaching conditions. This investigation seeks to analyze the characteristics of context to design and implement a pedagogical innovation that materializes into an English program in a blended learning modality. This is a needs analysis study that includes qualitative and quantitative types of information. The participants in the study are students, teachers, and administrative staff. This investigation employs questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and a focus group. The study concludes that to have a sustainable pedagogical innovation, the content should be based on the participants’ academic areas, and the pedagogical innovation should foster the development of critical thinking, academic skills, autonomy, and collaboration.

Women empowerment through the home palm sugar industry in Hariang village, Sobang district, Lebak Regency in Banten Indonesia

Palm sugar is a home industry product that has been passed down from generation to generation in the Hariang village of Indonesia. Besides its unique characteristics, palm sugar is also an icon of an area, because not all regions have palm resources. Most of the palm sugar business actors, who are generally women, still have limitations, especially in product innovation. As a result, this home industry seems stagnant. Empowering women in the palm sugar home industry in Hariang village, Sobang District, Lebak Regency to develop the palm sugar home industry, strengthens the building of capacity of human resources. The objectives of this study were to (1) increase the capacity of palm sugar craftsmen in Hariang village, (2) increase business capacity in production and marketing management, (3) strengthen business group institutions (BGI) by utilizing infrastructure and production technology, to improve the product marketing function, and (4) develop an integrated home industry business system, with the support of local resources. The research was conducted at Hariang village, Sobang District, Lebak Regency in Banten Indonesia. The Miles and Huberman models for the analysis of qualitative data were adopted for this study from data collection, data reduction, data presentation to conclusion/verification. The realization of human resource competence strengthening activities is carried out by changing the mindset of women craftsmen through a broader network of participatory training by strengthening production management and marketing capabilities. The results of this study showed the need for the following from implementing the empowerment model (1) analyzing the needs of business groups, (2) creating training modules and conducting participatory business management training, (3) conducting technical guidance on production and marketing management, (4) strengthening institutions oriented towards the collective business community (socio-business), (5) benchmarking and partnership business, and (6) monitoring and evaluating the implementation and follow-up of assistance. In implementing the strategy to strengthen human resource capacity, women's business groups must be oriented towards producing premium quality home industry products capable of sustainable product innovation, in supporting business independence and building partnerships. Key words: Empowerment, Farmer Group, Home industry, Palm Sugar, Product Innovation, Women

The Impact of Human Capital and Knowledge Creation on Sustaining Competitive Advantage and Innovation in Medium-Sized Companies in Bali

The Impact of Human Capital and Knowledge Creation on Sustaining Competitive Advantage and Innovation in Medium-Sized Companies in Bali