Innovation for Sustainable Growth: Strategies, Systems, and Global Perspectives
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 May 2026 | Viewed by 89
Special Issue Editors
Interests: management; investments; sustainable development; circular economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
2. NECE—Research Centre in Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
Interests: marketing; innovation management; circular economy marketing; green marketing and sustainability; entrepreneurship
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In recent decades, innovation has become a major driver of economic growth, productivity gains, and competitive advantages. However, traditional models of growth are increasingly being questioned in the face of global environmental challenges, social inequalities, and resource limitations. As a result, the intersection between innovation, economic performance, and sustainable development has emerged as a cornerstone of academic investigation and policy significance.
Innovation-driven economic growth refers to development models in which technological advancement, digital transformation, institutional reform, and entrepreneurship fuel long-term progress, while remaining aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the post-pandemic era, and amidst intensifying climate pressures, there is a growing need to redesign economic systems around inclusive, resilient, and sustainable innovation.
This Special Issue seeks to contribute to the academic and policy-oriented dialogue on how innovation can be leveraged to promote sustainable economic outcomes, reduce disparities, and foster systemic transformation.
The purpose of this Special Issue is to gather cutting-edge research and case studies exploring the role of innovation as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth, across multiple sectors, regions, and institutional contexts.
By bridging theoretical and empirical perspectives, this collection aims to advance understandings of how innovation can support environmental sustainability, social well-being, and economic dynamism, both in developed and developing economies.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but need not be limited to) the following:
Innovation systems and sustainable growth models;·
The role of technological innovation in achieving the SDGs;·
Green innovation and circular economy strategies;·
Innovation in emerging markets and developing economies;·
Digital transformation and economic resilience;·
Public policy for innovation-driven development;·
Social innovation and inclusive economic growth;·
Innovation ecosystems and regional development;·
Measurement and indicators of sustainable innovation impact;·
Entrepreneurship and sustainability transitions;·
Collaborative innovation networks and multi-stakeholder platforms for sustainable development. We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Prof. Dr. Oana Florina Virlanuta
Prof. Dr. Teresa Paiva
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.
Keywords
- sustainable development
- green innovation
- technological change
- innovation ecosystems
- circular economy
- inclusive economic growth
- sustainable entrepreneurship
- digital innovation
- policy and governance for innovation
- sustainable development goals (SDGs)
- resilient economies
- innovation and public policy
- collaborative innovation
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.
