Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability

“Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability” is the most populated section of the journal and also the oldest. Our papers address new empirical findings that are of interest to a broader audience, theoretical analyses explaining new phenomena or puzzles, or the development of theoretical or empirical methods likely to be useful for further research—all within the effects of sustainability issues. This section covers an inter- and transdisciplinary multifield of science concerned with analysis of the three different pillars of Economic, Business and Management, improving and sharing the knowledge base in an effort to move towards sustainability. The main scope of the section is to stimulate cross-sectoral exchange for the development of new policies, new technologies, new products, and new awareness towards a new sustainability-oriented society. To enable the transformation from an industrial civilization into an eco-civilization, the section requires concept-breaking theoretical innovation, methodological support, and tool development. The section promotes research papers on the linkages between business strategy and community investment initiatives, in order to identify positive outcomes for the development led by both private and public sectors. Sustainability can be an engine to enhance a company's competitive strategy and the development of new business opportunities while also introducing the value of co-creation through partnerships with a range of stakeholders.

Thematically, “Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability” includes:

• Sustainability as pillar of new strategies and competitive businesses;
• New policies of social, cultural, and economic dimensions;
• Governance, legislation, and policies for sustainability;
• Circular economy, from theory to practice;
• Resource productivity and sustainability;
• Cleaner production and technical processes; 
• Sustainable development and sustainability; 
• Environmental and sustainability assessment; 
• Sustainable products and services; 
• Contributions to SDGs 2030;
• Life-cycle management and thinking;
• Social–economic metabolism;
• Business effects related to social dimensions of industrial ecology;
• Management aspects in sustainable production and consumption;
• Eco-innovation and management of resource use patterns, including materials, energy, water, and land;
• Sustainable supply chains;
• Corporate sustainability and corporate social responsibility; 
• Economics issues applied to urban sustainability;
• The value chain of energy–water–food–waste;
• Industrial ecology tools, applications, and case studies;
• Industrial symbiosis, eco-industrial parks;
• Eco-civilization.

Accordingly, the section “Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability” is interested in research articles, conceptual articles, review articles, and commentaries covering the whole breadth of sustainability concerns. This section publishes theoretical and empirical papers related to the abovementioned issues. In particular, the section welcomes contributions by early career researchers and propositions for Special Issues on a single specific theme in the field of Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability.