sustainability-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Integrating Data Envelopment Analysis with AI and Digital Tools for Sustainable Solutions

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 1480

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Intelligent and Interactive Systems Laboratory (Si2Lab), Universidad de Las Américas, Ingeniería Industrial, Quito 170125, Ecuador
Interests: web accessibility; generative artificial intelligence; user experience; telemedicine; educational technology; data science; inclusive design; digital transformation; human–computer interaction

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad de las Américas, Quito 170122, Ecuador
Interests: artificial intelligence; attractor networks; data analytics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The integration of data envelopment analysis (DEA) with artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools seeks to address pressing sustainability challenges and foster innovation. Consequently, this Special Issue focuses on experimental, computational, and theoretical studies promoting optimized and sustainable solutions across science, engineering, economics, management, and public policy. We encourage original works that integrate DEA with AI, machine learning, and data analytics to address complex issues of efficiency and sustainability, supporting the UN 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while promoting open and replicable science.

Distinctive features of this Special Issue:

  • Manuscripts presenting research ideas and project proposals are welcome;
  • Electronic files, datasets, and software related to calculations, models, and experiments can be published as supplementary material;
  • Studies funded by public institutions that aim to create scientific and societal impact are particularly encouraged.

Subject Areas:

  • Advanced data envelopment analysis (DEA) methods for sustainability;
  • Integration of AI, machine learning, and data mining with DEA;
  • Application of ethics in the use of artificial intelligence;
  • Digital tools for efficiency assessment in industries and services;
  • Optimization models for renewable energy, resource use, and sustainable supply chains;
  • Applications of DEA and AI in healthcare, education, transportation, and public policy;
  • Evaluation and monitoring of sustainable development policies;
  • Predictive models for mitigating environmental and economic impacts;
  • AI-powered decision support systems for sustainable management;
  • Education, ethics, and governance in applying DEA and digital technologies;
  • Case studies and practical applications in businesses and governments.

The Special Issue aims to serve as a bridge between academic research and practical applications, promoting innovative and sustainable solutions that integrate scientific rigor with the use of emerging technologies.

Prof. Dr. Patricia Acosta-Vargas
Dr. Mario González-Rodríguez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • data envelopment analysis (DEA)
  • artificial intelligence (AI)
  • machine learning
  • digital tools for sustainability
  • efficiency and optimization
  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • decision support systems
  • predictive modeling
  • big data analytics
  • renewable energy and resource management

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 673 KB  
Article
Advancing Sustainable Mining: A Comparative Analysis of Research Trends and Knowledge Spillover in Critical Mineral Exploration
by Junhee Bae and Sangpil Yoon
Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010424 - 1 Jan 2026
Viewed by 585
Abstract
As global demand for critical minerals intensifies with the expansion of energy transition technologies and advanced manufacturing, developing sustainable and efficient exploration strategies has become a national priority. In this shift, AI-driven exploration technologies are emerging as a transformative force, reshaping how mineral [...] Read more.
As global demand for critical minerals intensifies with the expansion of energy transition technologies and advanced manufacturing, developing sustainable and efficient exploration strategies has become a national priority. In this shift, AI-driven exploration technologies are emerging as a transformative force, reshaping how mineral resources are discovered, assessed, and managed. This study analyzes the global research landscape in critical mineral exploration by examining patent and scientific publication data to evaluate both research efficiency and knowledge spillover capacity. Using data envelopment analysis and super-efficiency modeling, we compare national R&D performance, identify leading countries, and quantify diffusion dynamics. The results reveal significant disparities: countries such as the United States, South Korea, and Canada demonstrate high research efficiency and strong spillover effects, supported by active innovation ecosystems and technological adoption. In contrast, resource-rich nations including China, Australia, and Russia show limited diffusion due to weaker AI-based innovation incentives and insufficient industry–academia collaboration. Italy stands out as an effective model of policy-driven R&D utilization and technological diffusion. These findings highlight the strategic importance of combining AI-enabled exploration, qualitative research impact, and international cooperation. The study offers policy implications for countries seeking to strengthen resource security and enhance competitiveness through sustainable and innovation-driven mineral exploration. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop