Exploring the Nexus Between Project Management, Innovation and Sustainability

Dear Colleagues,

In the current face of unprecedented environmental, social, and economic challenges, the discipline of project management is undergoing a profound transformation. Traditional models of project management success, once focused almost exclusively on time, cost, and scope (the triple constraint model, Barnes, 1988) are being reimagined to embrace broader goals: those of sustainability, social inclusivity, equity, resilience, and responsible usage of resources. This Special Issue, entitled ‘Exploring the Nexus Between Project Management, Innovation and Sustainability’, is dedicated to exploring the evolving field of sustainable project management, highlighting innovative research, emerging and innovative practices, and critical debates that will shape the future of project profession in a sustainable way.

Therefore, sustainability in project management demands a fundamental paradigm shift in mindset from short-term success metrics (such as the iron triangle) on to long-term value creation with sustainable design and regenerative approaches, from isolated project goals to systemic impacts, and from reactive problem-solving to proactive opportunity-seeking. The major project management global bodies, such as IPMA, have already begun to align their standards and qualifications with these demands.

In this Special Issue, we want to challenge practitioners and researchers alike to consider how projects across different industries, sectors, culture and geographies can contribute not only to organizational and project success, but also to societal well-being, economic prosperity, and ecological balance toward a more sustainable future. The articles in this Special Issue should examine a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Evolution of sustainable project management from theory to practice;
• Integrating ESG principles into project success criteria;
• Models and frameworks for sustainable project delivery;
• Circular economy principles in project management;
• Integration of sustainability principles into project planning and execution;
• Development of new frameworks for sustainable governance;
• Role of leadership, culture, and stakeholder engagement in driving sustainable outcomes;
• Developing and assessing project manager competencies for sustainable integration;
• Developing sustainability leadership in projects through education and training.

Several contributions offer case studies demonstrating how sustainable project management principles are being applied in real-world contexts, from infrastructure and construction to IT and community development projects. The thread that unites these contributions is the recognition that sustainable project management is not an optional "add-on", but a necessity, and should, therefore, became part of everyday life in project delivery. In an era marked by climate change, resource scarcity, and rising social expectations, project managers must act as change agents, guiding organizations toward practices that are not only efficient and profitable, but also ethical and regenerative.

We are grateful to authors who will contribute their insights and findings to this Special Issue, and to the reviewers whose rigorous feedback will help ensure the quality and relevance of the papers. We hope that this Special Issue will inspire researchers, practitioners, educators, and policymakers to continue advancing the theory and practice of sustainable project management.

We invite readers to engage critically with the ideas presented here, to challenge assumptions, and to innovate boldly in real-world scenarios. The path to sustainability is complex and multifaceted, but through shared knowledge, collaboration, and commitment, project management can be a powerful force for positive change.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Mladen Vukomanovic
Dr. Lana Lovrencic Butkovic
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 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.

• sustainable project management
• tripple bottom line
• ESG principles
• regenerative design
• project delivery
• sustainable competencies