Innovation For Sustainable Development Research Articles

Innovations in residue upgrading for the Niger delta by transforming heavy oil fractions into high-value products: A state of the art review

This review discusses new innovations in residue upgrading technologies for the conversion of heavy oil fractions into high-value products, especially for Delta and Rivers States of the Niger Delta region. Recent works within the 2020-2024 period show that upgrading methods have been significantly developed; however, no prior work has been done regarding applying those upgrading techniques to the peculiar nature of crude oil from this region. The paper probes the environmental impacts of these technologies, emphasizing the need for localized assessment that would take into consideration the fragile ecosystems of Delta and Rivers States. It further assesses the economic viability of scaling up the implementation of advanced upgrading processes within the current refining infrastructure. The discussion covers variable quality heavy oil in these regions and what that does to upgrading efficiency, how to integrate these technologies into the current refining practices, underlines the potential socio-economic advantages for the local communities through the creation of jobs and enhancing the skills of those communities to underscore the importance of these innovations for sustainable development. The review establishes that in such siamese twin areas, further research is needed to ensure that heavy oil resources in Delta and Rivers States are utilized effectively while ensuring that there is a minimal environmental impact from the extraction process.

Fostering educational equity through leadership and policy innovations for sustainable development in higher education

This paper explores leadership strategies and policy innovations aimed at fostering educational equity in higher education, particularly for underserved and marginalized communities. It emphasizes the crucial role of institutional leadership in aligning strategic goals with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), to ensure inclusivity, access, retention, and long-term success for disadvantaged students. The analysis includes a discussion of key leadership approaches, such as inclusive leadership and mentorship programs, and policy innovations that address financial, academic, and social barriers to equity. The integration of specific SDGs into educational policies is also examined, highlighting the importance of comprehensive support services, diverse curricula, and community partnerships. Recommendations for higher education leaders and policymakers focus on expanding financial aid, promoting inclusive campus environments, and strengthening collaborative efforts with government and community stakeholders. Ultimately, this paper advocates for a proactive and strategic approach to embedding equity within the core functions of higher education institutions, ensuring that they contribute to sustainable development and social justice.

Sustainable innovations in developing economies: a woven theoretical approach with qualitative evidence from Uganda

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to present a theoretical framework that utilizes a success story to elucidate sustainable innovations in Ugandan financial institutions. It provides valuable insights from the standpoint of a developing African nation.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized a qualitative methodology, specifically in-depth interviews with employees of Stanbic Bank Uganda. A story was constructed to depict their pragmatic experiences, emphasizing the contextual backdrop, actions taken, outcomes and lessons learned. The 12th participant marked the point of data collecting saturation.FindingsThe results suggest that financial institutions that use sustainable solutions are able to mitigate operational risks, cut costs, increase revenue and achieve long-term success. Institutional logics exert a significant influence on the behavior, practices and decision-making processes of individuals or organizations, hence impacting their inclination toward innovation and openness to change. While organizational resilience facilitates the ability to change, maintain excellence and remain competitive. Networks facilitate the exchange of information across institutions, enabling them to stay updated on market trends, regulatory changes and emerging risks. This, in turn, assists in making educated decisions.Originality/valueThis study is innovative in its utilization of a success story to exemplify sustainable improvements in financial institutions in Uganda. While several studies exist world over on sustainable innovations, this study is the first to use a success story and proposes a theoretical model that illustrates how institutional logics, networks and organizational resilience contribute to the development of sustainable innovations in a developing country.

Green recovery in BRICS economies: The role of mineral resources, energy productivity, and green innovation in sustainable development

Mineral resources are important for economic development, significantly impacting industrial growth and presenting complex challenges such as resource scarcity and environmental sustainability. In this context, the present study explores the linkage between natural resources rents, energy productivity, eco-innovation, and carbon emissions considering BRICS economies. Using data from 1990 to 2021, the result of the present study shows that natural resources rent, and economic growth contribute to environmental pollution, indicating that revenues from natural resources in BRICS economies are used for economic expansion, thus leading to carbon emissions. In contrast, green innovation and energy productivity significantly reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental quality. Similarly, renewable energy supply also contributes to the improvement of environmental quality. Our research highlights the critical need for policies that not only restore natural resources and enhance green innovation to boost energy productivity but also address the negative impact of these innovations on carbon emissions while acknowledging that natural resource rents can exacerbate these emissions.

Optimizing Urban Technological Innovation through GGFs: A Systemic and Spatial Analysis

The implementation of the Government Guides Funds (GGFs) policy by China’s government plays an important role in guiding domestic private capital to participate in innovation and entrepreneurship activities. This study empirically analyzed the impact of GGFs in facilitating the domestic optimization process of urban innovation in China. Based on panel data from 285 cities from 2008 to 2021, this study uses the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) to verify the impact of GGFs on urban innovation and its mechanism. The findings reveal that GGFs exert a positive influence on the urban innovation of both the immediate regions and the neighboring areas of the policy-origin city. The effectiveness of GGFs varies geographically, with more pronounced spatial spillover impacts observed in the eastern regions of China. Further research shows that industrial upgrading amplifies the direct impact of GGFs on urban innovation, while its indirect effectiveness is not significant. Finally, based on empirical findings, this study also underscores the necessity of local governments in tailoring the management of GGFs to local conditions and promoting sustainable urban innovation and regional development. Our findings provide noteworthy implications for governmental administrators and regulators in promoting the systemic optimization of GGFs operations within the context of sustainable urban development.

Fostering Sustainable Development Through Social Innovation: The Role of Cultural Values in Entrepreneurial Intentions

Context. The study analyses how cultural values on the entrepreneurial intentions of university students in public and private institutions in Jalisco, Mexico, may lead a path to social innovation, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Problem. Despite the growing emphasis on entrepreneurship education, the impact of cultural values on students' entrepreneurial intentions remains unclear. This research explores how autonomy, hierarchy, and egalitarianism shape students' aspirations. Purpose. The research seeks to examine the multidisciplinary nature of cultural values and their relationship with entrepreneurial intentions. It specifically addresses SDGs 4, 8 and 9. Methodology. A quantitative survey was distributed to 1,438 university students in Jalisco, Mexico, during 2023-2024. The data were examined through exploratory factor analysis and linear regression to identify the relationships between cultural values and entrepreneurial intentions. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, while validity was established through factor loadings. Theoretical and Practical Findings. Cultural values like integration and mastery positively influence entrepreneurial intentions, while egalitarianism showed a negative impact. These results contribute to the understanding of how cultural contexts shape entrepreneurial behavior, with practical implications for fostering entrepreneurship in educational settings, aligned with the SDGs; leading students´ behavior to a social innovation path. Originality based on a multidisciplinary approach that promotes innovation for sustainable development. This research integrates multidisciplinary perspectives to promote social innovation and sustainable development, highlighting the unique role of cultural values in shaping entrepreneurial intentions. Conclusions and limitations. The study concludes that while cultural values significantly impact entrepreneurial intentions, though the influence varies by dimension. However, as the research focuses on a single region, future studies should explore other cultural contexts to generalize findings.

Inclusive innovation processes in Tanzania: From national policies to local practices in innovation hubs

Inclusive innovations have the potential to foster socio-economic development and actively involve local communities in innovation processes in sub-Saharan Africa. The importance of inclusive innovations is emphasized in the public strategies and development programmes in the region. Nevertheless, despite some donor-funded initiatives, there remains a lack of systematic knowledge on how to effectively implement inclusive innovation in communities. This research aims to scrutinize the role of inclusive innovation in Tanzania. We conduct policy analyses of the country's official innovation strategies and investigate the inclusive innovation activities undertaken by 12 innovation hubs. These hubs facilitate interactions among diverse actors, provide necessary facilities and technologies, and offer mentorship and peer support. Our results reveal that the definition and significance of inclusive innovation are presented within the national policies. However, implementation programmes are currently modest and scattered. With a few exceptions, innovation hubs have inadequate understanding and limited resources for implementing inclusive innovations in practice. This research contributes by underscoring the need for comprehensive strategies, capacity-building initiatives, and collaborative efforts to fully leverage inclusive innovation for sustainable development in the region.

Green dynamic capability and green product innovation for sustainable development: Role of green operations, green transaction, and green technology development capabilities

Green dynamic capability and green product innovation for sustainable development: Role of green operations, green transaction, and green technology development capabilities

Green Shipping: Technological Innovations for Sustainable Development in the Global Maritime Industry

The article aims to investigate the developmental trends of green shipping. In light of the escalating global awareness of environmental protection, green shipping has emerged as a pivotal orientation for the international maritime industry. This paper will delve into the international mandates for green shipping, the stipulations of international regulations, the concrete manifestations of green shipping on vessels, as well as the application of technologies such as wind-assisted propulsion, dual-fuel diesel engines, and hydrogen energy in the realm of environmental sustainability.

Retraction Note: Does eco-friendly tourism necessary for entrepreneurship? The role of tourism and innovation in sustainable development.

Retraction Note: Does eco-friendly tourism necessary for entrepreneurship? The role of tourism and innovation in sustainable development.

Evaluation of Portuguese Population’s Perspectives on Chemical Innovations for Sustainable Development

Evaluation of Portuguese Population’s Perspectives on Chemical Innovations for Sustainable Development

Evaluation of the Perception and Adoption of Environmental Management System in Small and Medium Enterprises in the Manufacturing Sector in Lagos and Ogun States, Southwestern Nigeria

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the perception and adoption of environmental management system in small and medium enterprises in the manufacturing sector in Lagos and Ogun States, Southwestern Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques. The paper posits that environmental management literacy and advocacy should be carried out in SMEs. Environmental management practices involve engaging both industries and product end-users in sustainable practices. The paper concludes that the implementation of environmental management practices and culture by SMEs will abate environmental pollution and its concomitant health risks to humans, the environment, flora, and fauna. Mandatory and voluntary environmental measures 3 are suggested as a means of engendering eco-friendly innovation for sustainable development, triggering employment, job security, and gross domestic product.

Receiver or transmitter? Unlocking the role of green technology innovation in sustainable development, energy, and carbon markets

In the context of sustainable development, the energy crisis and the volatile carbon trading markets have made the integration of green technology increasingly essential. This study explores the spillover effects between green technology innovation (GTI), oil price, clean energy (CE), carbon emissions trading prices (CETP), and sustainable development (SD) using quantile connectedness. The static analysis reveals that the connectedness relationship in extreme quantiles is remarkably more related than the middle quantile. The dynamic results indicate that major events significantly strengthen the overall risk correlation, but spillover effects are asymmetric under different quantiles. Further analysis under extreme market conditions demonstrates that SD and CE have produced a continuous and steady risk spillover to GTI, while CETP increased the risk transmission to GTI following the COVID-19 pandemic. This research underscores the significance of coordinating the development of GTI, energy, carbon markets, and SD by investigating risk contagion mechanisms in various market scenarios. In terms of policy implications, the findings indicate that stable energy system and reasonable carbon prices can stimulate the advancement of GTI.

From digital model to digital twin in tunnel construction

AbstractThis article takes a further step on the digitalization path in tunneling by implementing the concept of the digital twin and examining its potential at the three levels of real‐world integration: digital model, digital shadow, and digital twin (DT). It evaluates the current implementation of tunnel information modeling and its adoption in the infrastructure sector. The importance of structured and real‐time data synchronization through technologies such as IoT and Big Data is emphasized. It explores advancements from tunnel model to shadow to DT, emphasizing the importance of structured and data real‐time synchronization through technologies like IoT and Big Data. A comprehensive literature review highlights both technical and non‐technical barriers to the implementation of DT. Continuous improvement of DT, supported by advancements in data acquisition and analytical methods, is expected to significantly enhance tunnel construction. As a main focus, this article provides a framework for a centralized and comprehensive platform for all levels of tunnel twin development, leveraging Autodesk Platform Services. It concludes with a vision for the future, discusses emerging technologies advocating for a strategic approach to digital transformation in tunneling that leverages technological innovations for sustainable development and societal benefits.

Financial Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development

This Special Issue on “Financial Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development” includes a diverse collection of research papers that explore the evolving landscape of financial technologies (FinTech) and their implications for sustainable development [...]

Balancing India's energy trilemma: Assessing the role of renewable energy and green technology innovation for sustainable development

The energy trilemma, which includes energy security, affordability, and sustainability, is vital for India's path towards green development. A practical assessment of the energy trilemma's level is crucial for assessing the current state of India's energy landscape and making substantial progress towards Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13. Based on time series data from 1990 to 2021, this paper investigates the direct and indirect effect of renewable energy use and green technology innovation on India's energy trilemma by using the dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (DYNARDL) simulation model. Our findings indicate that renewable energy use impacts the energy trilemma positively in both the short and long run. However, the effect of green technology on energy trilemma is positive but insignificant, suggesting the need for further technological advancement. The mediation analysis highlights that environmental regulation and energy efficiency are crucial through which both renewable energy and green technology innovation influence energy trilemma, while R&D shows an insignificant mediation effect. Based on the above findings, the study provides implications for policymakers to focus on strengthening environmental regulation, enhancing energy efficiency, and increasing the financial flow for R&D investment to incentivize the mitigating effect of green technology on renewable energy use on energy trilemma.

Bioinspired technology in society: Ethical and architectural innovations for sustainable development

This review study delves into the use of Biomimicry in sustainable architecture, examining its ethical, philosophical, and psychological implications. The paper explores different approaches to Biomimicry, the intersection of Biomimicry with sustainable construction technologies, passive cooling strategies, emulation of sustainable ecosystems, net-zero construction techniques, and innovative 3D-printed homes. The main aim of this study is to provide an overview of sustainable construction technologies and highlight Biomimicry's role in developing passive cooling solutions and sustainable ecosystems. Additionally, integrating Biomimicry principles into net-zero construction techniques emphasizes the potential of architecture to contribute to a carbon-neutral future. The paper also discusses how using Biomimicry in 3D-printed homes can help compensate for the need for rapid urbanization while being aligned with maintaining the planet's health. Synthesizing the impact of Biomimicry on sustainable architecture, emphasizing the ethical responsibilities of architects, and the broader philosophical implications of adopting nature-inspired design principles have been explored. The knowledge gaps found from this study inspire a paradigm shift in architectural thinking, promoting a balance between technological progress and a deep respect for nature, and a commitment to creating a sustainable and ethically responsible built environment.

Стратегическое планирование в птицеводстве

The article notes that nowadays strategic planning has taken its weighty place among management functions. Taking into account modern requirements, according to the quality management system, it is advisable to develop and introduce into practice a complex mechanism of enterprise activity management, including a set of economic, motivational, organizational and legal ways of purposeful interaction of economic subjects for the realization of enterprise potential to ensure its sustainable economic, financial and innovative development. The stages of development strategy of poultry enterprises on the example of a specific enterprise in Krasnodar Krai are described, three possible alternative scenario approaches of strategic development are proposed: pessimistic, traditional and optimistic, taking into account the influence of external and internal factors on the development of the enterprise at the present stage.

Нейросетевой кластерный анализ устойчивого развития экономики регионов Российской Федерации в аспекте принципов ESG

The sustainable development of the innovative economy in the regions of the Russian Federation is researched. From this position, the changes in the commissioning of capacities for the protection of water resources and atmospheric air from pollution, as well as the renewal of forests in Russia for the period 2017–2022 are presented. Taking into account the importance of responsible investment, investments in fixed assets aimed at environmental protection and rational use of natural resources of the Russian Federation in 2022 are given. The relevance of the research is due to the progress in the achievements of science and technology, as well as the existing strong competition. This requires the promotion of creative concepts in the management of sustainable socio-economic development of Russia. Such concepts may be based on consideration of ESG criteria: Environment — environment, Social — social development, Governance — corporate governance. In order to reduce the heterogeneity of the socio-ecological development of Russia, the multifactorial task of strategic management on the formation of a methodology based on ESG principles is analyzed. The authors propose a promising and productive method for solving multifactorial problems — neural network cluster analysis using information technology. It allowed us to distribute the regions of the Russian Federation into six cluster formations characterized by different levels of development in the perspective of ESG features according to a set of 11 indicators. The structure of clusters detailing the entry of Russian regions into them is given. The average values of the studied indicators of sustainable innovative development of the regional economy in each of the clusters and in the whole country are shown. It follows from the results of the work that the management’s focus on the synthesis of ESG principles and the productivity of responsible investment will become important components in the formation of strategies for the innovative development of the Russian economy. This will be one of the key factors in strengthening the economic security of the Russian Federation.

ECONOMIC AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF PROVIDING INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY IN THE CONDITIONS OF INCREASED INFLUENCE OF FACTORS OF A MILITARY NATURE: THE EXPERIENCE OF UKRAINE AND THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

The purpose of the article is to analyze the state of innovative development of the economy of Ukraine and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and to identify the problems of its provision in the conditions of martial law. The results of the study prove that factors of a military nature have an ambiguous effect on stimulating the innovative development of the country's economy. It has been established that economic evolution through innovation is a prerequisite for strengthening its competitiveness in countering modern challenges and threats. The results of the empirical study made it possible to find out that during the large-scale aggression of Russia on the territory of Ukraine in 2022, a decrease in the level of innovative economic development was also observed in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It was established that in 2023, the countries of the analyzed group managed to increase the indicators of innovative activity of business entities and the parameters of the innovative development of the economy. Important problems in ensuring economic progress through innovative activity have been identified: (1) shortcomings of the legislation regulating the innovation sphere; (2) lack of formation of a unified innovation infrastructure; (3) significant tax burden; (4) lack of an effective system of taxation and provision of tax benefits and preferences; (5) lack of effective investment mechanisms in the field of innovation; (6) low level of technological capacity of production facilities; (7) imperfection of the education system; (8) low level of financing of research activities; (9) focus on the export of raw materials and dependence on high-tech imports. In order to ensure sustainable innovative development of the country's economy, it is necessary to create appropriate conditions for the development of innovative potential, activate the creation of cross-border innovation clusters, and strengthen the country's investment attractiveness.