Sustainable Innovation Research Articles

Reducing costs or increasing efficiency? Unveiling the effects and mechanisms of the digital economy on sustained green innovation

This study examines the impact of the digital economy on sustainable green innovation in China, with a focus on the mediating roles of debt financing costs and resource allocation efficiency. Leveraging a comprehensive dataset of 24,741 firm-year observations from 2008 to 2022, we utilize fixed-effects regression models to analyze the relationships between the digital economy, debt financing costs, resource allocation efficiency, and sustainable green innovation. The results demonstrate that the digital economy positively influences sustainable green innovation, with this effect being partially mediated by reductions in debt financing costs and improvements in resource allocation efficiency. Specifically, the digital economy lowers financing costs and optimizes resource allocation, which collectively enhances green innovation sustainability. The findings remain consistent across various endogeneity and robustness checks, including instrumental variable approach, lagged effects, heckman two-stage method, sample adjustments, alternative measures, and model specifications. Additionally, heterogeneity tests reveal that the digital economy's positive effect is stronger for firms in the early and middle stages of their life cycle and for those operating in less-polluting industries. These insights contribute to the growing literature on digital technologies and sustainable development, offering valuable implications for managers and policymakers aiming to harness the digital economy for advancing sustainable green innovation.

The Intersection of Marketing and Sustainable Product Innovation

The Intersection of Marketing and Sustainable Product Innovation

Agile leadership and employee outcomes: A bibliometric analysis for future research agenda

BACKGROUND: Agile leadership is a critical factor in contemporary organizational dynamics, significantly influencing employee outcomes. Despite its growing importance, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of the impact and the research trends. OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis to explore the existing literature on agile leadership and its relationship with employee outcomes. METHODS: Data was collected from the Scopus scientific database, focusing on publications from 2010 to May 2024. Using the keywords “agile”, “leadership”, and “agile leadership”, 278 relevant documents were identified and analyzed with VOSviewer software. The data on publications, years, subject areas, authors, journals, institutions, and countries were examined by applying bibliometric analysis. RESULTS: The analysis showed a steady increase in publications on agile leadership, particularly in the last decade. The key research clusters included the impact of agile leadership on interpersonal communication, trust, teamwork effectiveness, job satisfaction, decision-making process, and sustainable innovation in digital transformation. Prominent journals, influential authors, and frequently cited articles were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Agile leadership was increasingly recognized for its valuable impact on employee outcomes. Agile leadership became a catalyst for enhancing interpersonal communication, building trust, improving teamwork effectiveness, increasing job satisfaction, streamlining decision-making processes, and enhancing sustainable innovation for successful digital transformation.

Waqf Business Model (WBM): Towards A Sustainable Social Business Model on The Mainstream Economics

The Waqf Business Model (WBM) represents an innovative and transformative approach to establishing a sustainable social business model within mainstream economics, rooted in Islamic economic principles. This paper explores the current state of waqf as an alternative model for social business, emphasizing its ability to combine social impact with long-term economic sustainability by preserving assets and generating ongoing revenue. It also advocates for integrating WBM into the mainstream economy to serve as a powerful mechanism for addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper highlights the challenges faced by traditional Islamic economic institutions, particularly waqf, which have struggled due to outdated management practices and a conceptual crisis regarding the role of waqf in modern economies. Revitalizing waqf institutions requires enhancing their capabilities and aligning them with contemporary business strategies. Additionally, this paper encourages future research to explore how WBM can be fully integrated into the existing economic ecosystem. In theory, WBM provides a framework for ethical and inclusive economies, while in practice, it has the potential to create self-sustaining institutions that reduce reliance on external aid, offering an innovative solution to global socio-economic challenges by blending sustainable innovation.

Effective Digital Business Management Strategy: A Structured Approach to Turning Challenges into Opportunities for Sustainable Growth and Innovation

Digital transformation has become one of the main pillars of modern business strategy, requiring companies to adapt to technological developments and maximize emerging opportunities. This article explores effective digital business management strategies, focusing on a structured approach to transform challenges into opportunities for growth and sustainable innovation. Through a qualitative approach based on literature studies and case analysis, this study identifies key elements in digital business management strategies, including the use of information technology (IT) and management information systems (MIS), the use of data and analytics, organizational flexibility, continuous innovation, and strategic collaboration with external parties. The results show that companies that successfully implement this strategy can adapt quickly to market changes, improve operational efficiency, and create competitive advantages. Flexibility and continuous innovation are also found to be important factors in ensuring business continuity amidst technological disruption. In addition, collaboration between companies, startups, and academic institutions is a key element in driving innovation and optimizing resources. This article contributes to the academic literature and business practice, by offering practical guidance for companies to formulate superior digital strategies in the era of global competition.

Coconut husk valorization: innovations in bioproducts and environmental sustainability

Coconut husk valorization: innovations in bioproducts and environmental sustainability

Advancing nanomaterial synthesis: Harnessing green chemistry for sustainable innovation

Nanotechnology has experienced substantial expansion due to its wide-ranging applications, and in view of this, different synthetic routes were developed and many of them employ toxic reagents, have high energy consumption and generate toxic waste. Nowadays, with growing concerns regarding environmental and health safety, green chemistry is gaining prominence and as a result, certain synthetic routes have been replaced to align with the principles of green chemistry. This review outlines current methods for synthesizing silver, iron, and carbon nanoparticles, alongside discussions on green synthesis routes and their mechanisms. Additionally, it evaluates future perspectives on green synthesis, addressing the challenges that need to be overcome.

DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICINAL VEGETABLE CULTIVATION FOR FAMILY USE (TOSGA) IN REALIZING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION FOR WOMEN IN PENGABUAN VILLAGE, ABAB DISTRICT, PALI REGENCY, SOUTH SUMATRA

In Pengabuan Village, women dominate poverty. The vulnerability of this group is explained by the fact that they do not have enough training, experience, and a source of investment to put food on their table (to meet even basic family needs, including healthcare). This journal in this case study is the implementation of the Independent Agriculture for Empowerment Village Women ("PERMATA") program, which is initiated by PT Pertamina EP Adera Field at Pengabuan Village, Abab Districts, Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir (PALI), South Sumatera. Its purpose is to increase economic welfare as well as the health of society by growing Medicinal Family Vegetables (TOSGA). Under the theme of building an inclusive and sustainable economy, PERMATA, in its fourth year, will focus on product diversification from TOSGA-derived herbs and group capacity building, followed by institutional mentoring. The program has had far-reaching effects on economic, social, and environmental welfare. One initiative has seen a dramatic increase in the income of women's groups and made a real dent in greenhouse gas emission targets through straw waste alternative energy. The PERMATA program has increased community awareness and capabilities in managing the environment and the production of herbs as flora medicinal plants. Through sustainable agricultural innovation, the program also improved quality life criteria or indicators of life.

Analisis Penerapan Inovasi Digital pada Pariwisata Berkelanjutan di Kabupaten Semarang

Semarang Regency is one of Central Java's leading tourist destinations with the attraction of Gedong Songo Temple and Rawa Pening. In addition, Semarang Regency also has other tourism wealth in the form of 51 interesting tourist attractions and 55 tourist villages that are always active and continuously developed. Sustainable digital innovation helps to apply the latest digital technology to achieve creative solutions that will address long-term social, economic, and environmental problems. This study aims to determine the urgency and application of digital innovation in sustainable tourism in Semarang Regency. Using a descriptive qualitative method, data were collected through triangulation techniques including interviews, observation, and documentation. Data validity was tested through credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. The data obtained were analyzed using qualitative methods starting from the pre-field stage, while in the field, until after the field activities were completed. The results show that the main implementation of Digital Innovation in Semarang Regency is the implementation of APIKS by the Tourism Office. However, there are challenges regarding technology adoption by local communities and the need for ongoing training, which require further attention from various relevant parties. This research is expected to provide an overview and serve as an evaluation of the importance of digital innovation in sustainable tourism management and suggests that local governments offer greater support in the form of policies and training programs to improve community digital skills. Future research can further explore the long-term impact of digital innovation on the social and environmental aspects of tourism.

Sustainable Innovative Design of Elderly-Friendly Smart Medical Products: An Integrated Model

Under the promotion of combined medical and elderly care (CMEC) policies, the market demand for elder-friendly smart medical products as convenient intelligent healthcare devices is growing. However, most studies on elderly-friendly smart medical products focus on functional enhancement and cost control, and there is a lack of research on the sustainable innovative design of elder-friendly smart medical products from the perspective of elderly emotional needs. Therefore, this paper proposes an integrated framework based on the fuzzy Kano model, Kansei engineering, and theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) for mapping the complex and dynamic emotional needs of the elderly to product design parameters to produce innovative solutions, ensuring the sustainability of the design process and the innovativeness of the design solutions of elder-friendly smart medical devices. We verified the effectiveness and applicability of this integrated framework through a case study involving sustainable innovation design of a smart blood pressure device. The results of this study are of considerable theoretical and practical significance for promoting the development of the market for elder-friendly smart medical products under the policy of CMEC, meeting the needs of the elderly for healthcare devices and improving their quality of life.

The Role Of StartupsIn Driving Sustainable Innovation

The following paper discusses the critical role that startups can play in driving forward sustainable innovation. At a time when environmental concerns top the world agenda, startups have taken the lead in pioneering new practices in sustainability and developing new solutions challenging conventional methods. It investigates how, at their nascent stage, these companies can use unique strategies, disruptive technologies, and agile business models to lead the charge toward sustainability. Drawing on case studies from a variety of industries, it points out exactly how startups tackling environmental challenges—from reducing carbon footprints to resource efficiency and circular economies— do so. The analysis stresses that this kind of startup does more than just innovate; it sets new trends within the market and consumer expectations. It also critically evaluates the extent to which established businesses could learn from or integrate these practices. It thus points out barriers and opportunities for traditional companies to adopt similar strategies, while discussing best practices for implementing a culture of innovation that has sustainability at the top of the list. The insights provided in this paper help to bridge the gap between innovative startups and established enterprises by giving actionable recommendations of how the most cutting-edge sustainability practices can be integrated within broader corporate frameworks. By borrowing from what works in startup successes, established companies can enhance environmental stewardship toward a more sustainable future. The paper seeks to explore in detail how startups are really triggering a transformation in sustainable innovation and to inspire established business players to engage in these pioneer approaches

Rice straw waste-based green synthesis and characterizations investigation of Fe-MoS2-derived nanohybrid.

In present work, synthesis of a nanohybrid material using Fe and MoS2 has been performed via a cost-effective and environmentally friendly route for sustainable manufacturing innovation. Rice straw extract was prepared and used as a reducing and chelating agent to synthesize the nanohybrid material by mixing it with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and ferric nitrate [Fe (NO3)3.9H2O], followed by heating and calcination. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirms the formation of a nanohybrid consisting of monoclinic Fe2(MoO4)3, cubic Fe2.957O4, and orthorhombic FeS with 86% consisting of Fe2(MoO4)3. The properties were analyzed through Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results of the dynamic light scattering (DLS) study revealed a heterogeneous size distribution, with an average particle size of 48.42 nm for 18% of particles and 384.54 nm for 82% of particles. Additionally, the zeta potential was measured to be -18.88 mV, suggesting moderate stability. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results confirmed the presence of both Fe2+ and Fe3+ oxidation states along with the presence of Molybdenum (Mo), oxygen (O), and Sulphur (S). The prepared nanohybrid material exhibited a band gap of 2.95 eV, and the photoluminescence intensity increased almost twice that of bare MoS2. The present work holds potential applications in photo luminescent nanoplatform for biomedical applications.

The Impact and Mechanism of ESG Performance on Corporate Continuous Innovation: Evidence from China

In recent years, investing based on ESG performance has become a mainstream investment strategy in the market. In this context, this study selected A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2022 as samples and adopted a panel fixed-effect model to empirically test the impact and mechanism of ESG performance on continuous innovation. The research showed that ESG performance could significantly promote corporate continuous innovation. The mechanism tests found it worked mainly through the channels of alleviating financing constraints, increasing social trust, reducing agency costs, focusing on human capital, and enhancing social capital. Heterogeneity tests found that this effect was more significant for state-owned enterprises, weak marketization, and epidemic shocks. Further research showed that ESG exhibited a more significant level of sustained innovation in the growth and maturity stages. And ESG performance had a significant contribution to corporate innovation resilience. The conclusions of this study enrich the research in the field of ESG performance and corporate continuous innovation and provide empirical evidence for strengthening sustainable development strategies.

Electrical Demonstration of Sn–S-Based OTS Materials From Theoretical Design for Sustainable Innovation

Electrical Demonstration of Sn–S-Based OTS Materials From Theoretical Design for Sustainable Innovation

Identification of Driving Factors of Sustainable Innovation in MSMEs in the Food, Beverage, and Service Sectors in West Java

This research aims to explore sustainable innovation within MSMEs in West Java, focusing on understanding, and driving factors. Utilizing a qualitative approach, we conducted interviews with 11 MSMEs from the food, beverage, and service sectors. Our findings indicate varying levels of awareness of sustainable innovation, with primary external drivers being market competition and consumer demand, while the internal driver is MSMEs decision. The study highlights the need for targeted support to enhance SME innovation capabilities, and emphasizing the role of continuous learning. These insights contribute to the broader knowledge of sustainable practices in MSMEs.

Unveiling How Internal Control Foster Sustainable Green Innovation Ecosystem: Mediating Role of Environment Management Accounting Data Analytics

This study constructs and validates a theoretical framework that focuses on the correlation between internal control systems (ICS) and the sustainable green innovation ecosystem (SGIE). Furthermore, it aims to investigate the role of environmental management accounting data analytics (EMADA) as a mediator in the relationship between ICS and SGIE. The current study utilized a methodological approach consisting of three components namely a literature review, expert interviews, and a self-administered survey. The study used structural equation modeling to analyze the proposed model, which was constructed using statistical data gathered from a cross-sectional survey of 583 accountants working in public sector organizations (PSOs). The acquired observations underscored the interdependence and mutual reinforcement of the proposed dimensions. These observations provided guidance for PSO leaders to recognize and take advantage of chances to enhance their effectiveness in the green innovation implementation journey. They also helped in developing strong strategies to efficiently steer their digital transformation process. The work's detailed findings were crucial in enabling policymakers to establish rules and regulations linked to digitalization and green innovation.

Editorial: Desarrollo urbano y energía en el contexto de ciudades intermedias sostenibles

Sustainability-oriented urbanism proposes strategies to address environmental, social, and economic challenges in intermediate cities. Within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this issue of CienciAmérica highlights the importance of sustainability in cities. The energy transition of cities is necessary and represents an opportunity to promote sustainable investments, in line with SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and SDG 13 (climate action). Similarly, sustainable urban planning, in line with SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), promotes the circular economy through proper waste management, thereby reducing environmental impacts and promoting economic sectors and job creation. On the other hand, education for a culture of sustainability, in line with SDG 4 (Quality Education), is essential to create a society that is aware and proactive in protecting the environment. This volume also includes sustainable technology, innovation and economic competitiveness, key aspects in the implementation of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). Finally, this edition calls on governments, businesses, organizations and citizens to work together to build a sustainable future, where sustainability and the economy are intrinsically linked to ensure the sustainable functioning of cities.

A Sustainable Innovation: Functionalization of Pasta with Methanol Extract of Turkish Red Pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) Barks

A Sustainable Innovation: Functionalization of Pasta with Methanol Extract of Turkish Red Pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) Barks

The Relationship Between Income Inequality and Economic Growth: A Comparative Case Study

This research explores the pivotal role of transformational leadership in fostering organizational innovation. Transformational leadership, characterized by its ability to inspire and motivate followers beyond their own self-interests, has been identified as a key driver of innovation within organizations. The study delves into the core components of transformational leadership—idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration—and examines how these elements contribute to creating a culture of innovation. Through real-world case studies of organizations like Apple Inc. and Cleveland Clinic, the research demonstrates the significant impact of transformational leadership on promoting risk-taking, learning from failure, and driving continuous improvement. Moreover, the study highlights the challenges and criticisms associated with transformational leadership, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to sustain innovation in the long term. The research concludes that as organizations face increasingly complex challenges in the 21st century, transformational leadership will remain crucial in driving sustainable innovation and organizational success.

Navigating Uncertainty: Evaluating the Pandemic's Impact on Warung Upnormal's Expansion Strategy

The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to the food and beverage industry, impacting consumption patterns and economic dynamics. This research aims to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the expansion strategy of Warunk Upnormal, one of the leading restaurant chains in Indonesia. This research employs a case study approach to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food and beverage industry in Indonesia. the pandemic led to a 40% decline in sales, necessitating adaptations like transitioning to take-away-only operations. While foot traffic gradually recovered post-pandemic, changing consumer preferences prompted the closure of multiple outlets. Financial strains exacerbated by the franchise model underscored the delicate balance between profitability and operational sustainability. Similarly, other startups like Kopi Kenangan faced challenges despite alternative business strategies. Roy Mandey of the Indonesian Retailers Association emphasizes the importance of adaptability and innovation in navigating volatile market conditions. Sustained innovation and a deep understanding of evolving consumer preferences will be crucial for future success in the post-pandemic landscape.