Advancing Innovation and Sustainability in SMEs: Insights and Trends
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: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 117
Special Issue Editor
Interests: marketing; sustainable development; SMEs; tourism marketing; marketing research; education
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The importance of sustainability is recognized worldwide, as given by the goals of the United Nations reflected in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By addressing three dimensions of world development (social, economic, and environment), the SDGs aim to improve human lives and protect the environment based on sustainable economic growth. Innovation plays a crucial role in achieving these objectives, given its development potential in all areas of activity. The rapid process of innovation in information technology, especially in the use of applications based on machine learning and artificial intelligence, reveals its remarkable potential to ensure sustainable development in a global environment marked by fierce competition.
In the context of new trends in socio-economic life, companies are faced with the need to adopt environmentally and socially responsible practices, which can only be achieved through innovation. In addition, sustainability and innovation tools are becoming crucial for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to remain competitive and differentiate themselves from their competitors. Considering SMEs’ mobility and their ability to quickly adapt to new trends and realities, they can become powerful drivers in achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development. Notably, they should be supported, especially by academia, which can contribute through results of the latest scientific research to facilitate the adoption of innovation in SMEs.
Applying the principles of circular economy, investing in the development of sustainable business ecosystems, and focusing on consumer needs are priorities for all countries during this time. In achieving these goals, innovation plays an important role, and the objectives of scientific research should be oriented towards finding the best ways to implement development strategies. Therefore, this Special Issue aims to bring together new findings that can contribute to enriching the literature on innovation in SME business activity and its impact on sustainability. Contributions are also expected to address marketing issues from both demand and supply perspectives. Contributions should not be limited to the issues mentioned above. Other topics of interest in innovation and sustainability are welcome!
Dr. Cristinel Petrisor Constantin
Guest Editor
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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
- sustainability
- business innovation
- innovative SMEs
- innovative products
- information technology
- machine learning
- artificial intelligence
- technology adoption model (TAM)
- circular economy
- marketing strategies for SMEs
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