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Sustainable Innovation, Business Models and Economic Performance

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 24 September 2026 | Viewed by 1942

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, Romania
Interests: ESG; sustainable development; sustainable innovation; business models; private circular economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, Romania
Interests: management; sustainability; CSR; quality management; strategic management; ISO standards; quality management systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the relationship between sustainable innovation and business model transformation, highlighting how organizations can remain competitive while addressing environmental and social challenges. Its scope includes theoretical and empirical studies on sustainable strategies, green technologies, circular economy practices, and innovative governance. The purpose is to examine how companies from different fields integrate sustainability into their business models and how such integration influences long-term value creation.

While prior research has analyzed sustainability innovation, fewer studies have explored their interconnections in an integrated way. This Special Issue aims to fill that gap, offering a multidisciplinary perspective that advances current debates and provides new insights into the link with sustainability.

Aligned with the journal’s mission, the Issue contributes to sustainability by defining, measuring, and monitoring sustainable innovations and business practices. It emphasizes tools, policies, and applications that support resilience, resource efficiency, and responsible growth. By combining conceptual frameworks with practical evidence, the Special Issue enhances our understanding of how sustainable business models can generate measurable social, and environmental benefits.

Prof. Dr. Mirela Cristea
Prof. Dr. Catalina Soriana Sitnikov
Prof. Dr. Noja Grațiela Georgiana
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

  • sustainable innovation
  • business models
  • circular economy
  • green technologies
  • corporate sustainability
  • value creation
  • sustainability measurement
  • strategic management
  • responsible growth

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 836 KB  
Article
Financial Constraints, Environmental Innovation and Sustainable Competitive Advantage: A Multi-Theoretical Cross-Country Analysis
by Mustafa Omar Kajejy and Ahmad Bassam Alzubi
Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18020716 - 10 Jan 2026
Viewed by 915
Abstract
This study investigates how financial constraints influence environmental innovation and how such innovation contributes to business sustainability and competitive advantage. Existing research has primarily examined financial constraints in isolation, leaving a gap in understanding how firms can transform financial challenges into a strategic [...] Read more.
This study investigates how financial constraints influence environmental innovation and how such innovation contributes to business sustainability and competitive advantage. Existing research has primarily examined financial constraints in isolation, leaving a gap in understanding how firms can transform financial challenges into a strategic opportunity through environmental innovation. Drawing on data from 280 firms across six countries (2012–2024), this study employed a quantitative panel regression approach to test the mediating role of environmental innovation and the moderating effects of management quality and institutional pressures. The analysis revealed that financial constraints significantly hinder environmental innovation, while environmental innovation strongly enhances business sustainability and competitiveness. Furthermore, both management quality and institutional pressures weakened the negative impact of financial constraints, and environmental innovation partially mediates the relationship between financial constraints and business sustainability. The findings demonstrate that firms can achieve sustainability-driven competitive advantage even under financial stress through effective leadership and supportive institutional environments. This study contributes to theory by integrating the Resource-Based View, Institutional Theory, and Stakeholder Theory to explain innovation resilience under constraint. The study offers novel insights into the financial–sustainability interface. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Innovation, Business Models and Economic Performance)
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31 pages, 3063 KB  
Article
Board Management Characteristics and Financial Outcomes in Sustainability-Oriented European Companies
by Alexandra-Mădălina Țăran, Grațiela-Georgiana Noja, Mihaela Diaconu, Flavia Barna, Kamal Naser and Marilen-Gabriel Pirtea
Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18020657 - 8 Jan 2026
Viewed by 430
Abstract
Achieving long-term company financial performance requires strategic initiatives on the part of board management that can stimulate the sustainable development of companies through green strategies and eco-innovation. The research conducted in this study aims to identify the impact of executive management on financial [...] Read more.
Achieving long-term company financial performance requires strategic initiatives on the part of board management that can stimulate the sustainable development of companies through green strategies and eco-innovation. The research conducted in this study aims to identify the impact of executive management on financial performance based on the achievement of the sustainable development framework within European companies operating in various industries. An advanced empirical analysis was configured on a cross-sectional dataset based on 4.219 European companies, which was collected for the period of the 2022 fiscal year, considering dimensions such as corporate governance, sustainability, and financial performance. The methodological endeavor was founded on several modern econometric techniques, namely Generalized Structural Equation Modeling (GSEM) and Bayesian Network Analysis through Gaussian Graphical Models (GGMs). The main results highlight that companies having well-structured board management and corporate governance policies aligned with the SDGs facilitates the transition to sustainable economic models, enhancing financial performance, innovations, and long-term sustainable growth. Furthermore, policies should be tailored to emphasize the importance of optimal board management size and continuous professional training for human capital involved in sustainable activities, thus enhancing long-term financial performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Innovation, Business Models and Economic Performance)
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