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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 33856

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Iwona Zdonek

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Organization and Management, The Silesian University of Technology, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
Interests: CSR; society 5.0; open data in innovation; management; sustainability

Prof. Dr. Adam R. Szromek

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Faculty of Organization and Management, The Silesian University of Technology, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
Interests: tourism; health resorts; business models; spa tourism; management; sustainability
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to participate in this Special Issue entitled “Innovation for Sustainable Business”. The need for sustainable development creates opportunities for businesses by implementing innovations that are designed to provide a competitive advantage to those who apply more sustainable practices and who offer more sustainable products.

These innovations are related to concepts such as industrial ecology, ecological modernization, triple bottom line, and cradle-to-cradle design. However, in innovation for sustainable business, we must not only consider the ecological dimension. The pillar of these innovations is threefold: ecological, social, and economic. This approach enables the consideration of sustainable innovations at various levels, ranging from operational optimization through organizational transformation to systems building.

We are pleased to invite you to submit your contributions in the research field of the defined area. To promote the effectiveness of innovations for sustainable business, there is an urgent need to understand the conditions that influence the success or failure of their implementation, and to comprehend the complexities of their social, economic, and environmental dimensions.

This Special Issue arises at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting the global economy for over a year, and still thrives. It has strongly affected many activities that companies carry out, but the full effects of this have not been researched to date. This renders all research in this matter of high importance for the development of innovation for sustainable business and its functioning in the future. This Special Issue intends to bridge these gaps by tackling the aforementioned issues.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Conditions for successful innovation towards sustainability;
Models of sustainability-oriented innovation;
Case studies describing contexts and activities of sustainability-oriented innovation;
Social, economic, and environmental dimensions of innovation for sustainable business;
Management methods and tools dedicated to the implementation of sustainability-oriented innovation;
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on innovation for sustainable business;
Sustainable business models.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

References:

Adams, R., Bessant, J., Jeanrenaud, S., Overy, P., Denyer, D., 2012. Innovating for sustainability: a systematic review of the body of knowledge, In: Bansal T. (Ed.), Topic: Innovation. Western University, http://nbs.net/wp-content/uploads/NBS-Systematic-Review-Innovation1.pdf
Adams R., Jeanrenaud S., Bessant J., Denyer, D. Overy P., Sustainability-oriented innovation: a systematic review Int. J. Manage. Rev., 18 (2015), pp. 180-205
Luqmani, A., Leach, M., Jesson, D., Factors behind sustainable business innovation: The case of a global carpet manufacturing company, Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, Vol. 24, 2017, pp. 94-105, ISSN 2210-4224, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2016.10.007
Latapí Agudelo, M.A., Jóhannsdóttir, L.. Davídsdóttir, B.. A literature review of the history and evolution of corporate social responsibility. Int J Corporate Soc Responsibility 4, 1 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40991-018-0039-y
Carroll, A. B. (2008). A history of corporate social responsibility: concepts and practices. In A. M. Andrew Crane, D. Matten, J. Moon, & D. Siegel (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of corporate social responsibility (pp. 19-46). New York: Oxford University Press.
Dyllick, T., Hockerts K. Beyond the business case for corporate sustainability Bus. Strategy Environ., 11 (2002), pp. 130-141
Dyczkowska, Joanna, Joanna Krasodomska, and Jan Michalak. "CSR in Poland: Institutional context, legal framework and voluntary initiatives." Accounting and Management Information Systems 15.2 (2016): 206. Available online: http://online-cig.ase.ro/RePEc/ami/articles/15_2_2.pdf
Witek-Crabb, A. CSR Maturity in Polish Listed Companies: A Qualitative Diagnosis Based on a Progression Model. Sustainability 2019, 11, 1736. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061736
Isadora Sánchez‐Torné Juan Carlos Morán‐Álvarez José A. Pérez‐López, The importance of corporate social responsibility in achieving high corporate reputation. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1993
Du Pisani, J. A. (2006). Sustainable development – historical roots of the concept. Environmental Sciences, 3(2), 83–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/15693430600688831
Sołtysik-Piorunkiewicz A., Zdonek I., How Society 5.0 and Industry 4.0 ideas shape the open data performance expectancy. 2021 Sustainability, vol. 13 iss. 2 pp. 1-24. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020917
Hysa, B.; Karasek, A.; Zdonek, I. Social Media Usage by Different Generations as a Tool for Sustainable Tourism Marketing in Society 5.0 Idea. Sustainability 2021, 13, 1018. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031018

Dr. Iwona Zdonek
Prof. Dr. Adam R. Szromek
Guest Editors

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Keywords

sustainability-oriented innovation
sustainable development
management of eco-innovations
models of sustainability-oriented innovation
COVID-19 in sustainability-oriented innovation
sustainable business models

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 1600 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Driving Sustainable Innovation in New Ventures: A Study Based on the fsQCA Approach

by Yu Liu and Hao Zhang

Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5738; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095738 - 09 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2336

Abstract

With the external environment becoming increasingly complex and changeable, how we can effectively enhance the innovation of companies in sustainability has become the focus of research. For startups, due to their lack of resources and poor independent innovation capabilities, they need to search for external knowledge from outside to meet their own needs. Therefore, obtaining external knowledge sources and adopting appropriate methods for knowledge search is the key to affecting innovation in sustainability. Moreover, enterprise capability is also an important factor restricting sustainable innovation. In this paper, we construct an integrated framework of resources and capabilities based on theoretical learning and practice between 2018 and 2021, containing technical knowledge, market knowledge, a formal search, an informal search, organizational learning, and strategic flexibility. Taking 450 new ventures in China as the research sample, we adopt the fsQCA method and derive the path driving the sustainable innovation of new ventures. The results show that resources and enterprise capabilities combine to influence sustainable innovation, and there are two configuration paths driving the sustainable innovation of new ventures. In the first pathway, a technical knowledge search, a market knowledge search, organizational learning and strategic flexibility are the core conditions; in the second pathway, a formal search, an informal search, organizational learning, and strategic flexibility are the core conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation for Sustainable Business)

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20 pages, 1072 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Challenges and Perspectives in Innovative Projects Focused on Sustainable Industry 4.0—A Case Study on Polish Project Teams

by Marzena Podgórska

Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5334; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095334 - 28 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2330

Abstract

Contemporary project teams are increasingly used to solve problems that are at the crossroads of many disciplines and areas dedicated to Industry 4.0, which is a watershed in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Industry 4.0 can serve as a platform for the alignment of SDGs with the ongoing digital transformation. This involves specific challenges for teams, but also allows perspectives that may create innovative and high-quality results. In order to meet these challenges while taking advantage of the opportunities offered by interdisciplinary cooperation, project teams, including the team leader, should have specific competencies. With this in mind, the aim of this article is to identify the challenges and perspectives related to working in interdisciplinary Sustainable Industry 4.0 project teams and to define the competencies necessary to act as a member and leader of these teams. Implementation of this aim will be possible by answering two research questions: (1) What requirements and opportunities are involved with interdisciplinary work amongst members of Sustainable Industry 4.0 project teams; and (2) What are the competencies necessary of members and leaders of such teams to meet these requirements and take advantage of the opportunities for such cooperation? An exploratory case study was conducted among members of interdisciplinary project teams at one of the leading technical universities in Poland. Qualitative data were obtained from many sources: interviews, internal documentation of analyzed projects and managerial notes. The obtained results allow us to state that the most important challenges and perspectives related to the work of interdisciplinary Sustainable Industry 4.0 teams include coordination of individual parts of the project, integrative leadership, establishing a common language, broad views on the issues raised and building a team consisting of specialists with the required competencies. The competencies of the project team that are important for working in the analyzed environment include strategic perspective, communication skills and persuasion, while for leaders, competencies must include the ability to coordinate work, resource management, empowering and motivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation for Sustainable Business)

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19 pages, 1061 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influencing Factors on Impulse Buying Behavior of Consumers under the Mode of Hunger Marketing in Live Commerce

by Zhenfang Zhang, Nan Zhang and Jiguang Wang

Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 2122; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042122 - 13 Feb 2022

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 16992

Abstract

The sustainability of live commerce is closely dependent on the impulse buying behavior of consumers because of its live characters compared to the traditional e-commerce mode. Hunger marketing is a widely adopted mode in live commerce, however, the influencing factors on impulse buying behavior of consumers under the mode of hunger marketing in live commerce is currently lacking. Here, based on SOR theory, we carefully studied how external stimulus variables (anchor characteristics, online comments, logistics service quality, promotion incentive information, and promotional time limit) affected consumers’ impulse buying behavior under the inner mechanism reaction factors (perceived trust and perceived value). By collecting questionnaires from 533 Chinese online consumers, we processed these data using SPSS23.0 and analyzed them using the structural equation model (SEM) generated by AMOS 25.0. The results showed that extrinsic stimulus variables (except for the promotional time limit variable) have significant positive effects on impulse buying behavior through partial or total positive effects on intrinsic mechanisms. We analyzed the reasons for all these results in detail, and thought the reason that the promotional time limit did not have a significant impact on the perceived value might be due to the rapid increase in the frequency of live commerce. Moreover, we also put forward the suggestions on the basis of these influencing factors to improve the sustainable development of live commerce. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation for Sustainable Business)

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12 pages, 253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Succession Management on Small and Medium Enterprises’ Sustainability in Lagos State, Nigeria

by Francis Ezieshi Monyei, Wilfred I. Ukpere, Emmanuel Kalu Agbaeze, Solomon Omonona, Lovlyn Ekeowa Kelvin-Iloafu and Happiness Ozioma Obi-Anike

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13489; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313489 - 06 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2918

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of succession management on small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs’) sustainability in Lagos, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research method and its participants were selected from five SMEs across Lagos State, based on their number of years of operating, staff strength, and branch locations. The enterprises included Gnakk Enterprises, Dreamville School, Vitus Cosmetics, Osi Ventures, and Chijioke Frozen Foods. The Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was used to analyze the hypotheses, which revealed that succession management had a positive correlation (r = 0.934, p-value < 0.05) with corporate sustainability amongst SMEs in Lagos State, Nigeria. Hence, the study concluded that in respect of strategic recruitment, succession management attracts and assists to retain a high performing skilled labour force. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation for Sustainable Business)

23 pages, 23857 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Green Side of Industry: The Drivers and the Impacts of ECO-Innovations in Brazil

by Fernanda Q. Sperotto and Iván G. P. Tartaruga

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8065; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148065 - 19 Jul 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2678

Abstract

This study aimed to provide an overview of eco-innovations in the Brazilian industry. To address this issue, we analyzed specific data of eco-innovative companies. In addition, we applied the cluster heatmap technique, which allowed us to analyze the different drivers and impacts of eco-innovations in different sectors. According to the results, companies that stated that innovation made it possible to reduce their environmental impact represent a third of all innovators. Moreover, they are companies that have shown greater effort to innovate and greater susceptibility to the benefits and obstacles of innovation. Furthermore, the eco-innovation strategy is mainly driven by market factors, such as reputation and codes of good practice. The impacts are mainly associated with the use of more widespread and less complex technologies, such as recycling. In addition to these results, the study considers some alternatives to guide the innovation policy, especially related to eco-innovations in semi-peripherical countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation for Sustainable Business)

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20 pages, 1801 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Idea of Corporate Social Responsibility in the Opinion of Future Managers—Comparative Research between Poland and Georgia

by Iwona Zdonek, Anna Mularczyk and Grzegorz Polok

Sustainability 2021, 13(13), 7045; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137045 - 23 Jun 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2293

Abstract

The article deals with the issue of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the awareness of economics students as future managers responsible for the implementation of this idea in enterprises. Due to the fact that CSR is a source of many innovations today, the aim of the research was to learn about the awareness and opinions of students about CSR on such issues as: reasons for implementation, main activities, impact on profitability, and the need to explore and assess the usefulness of this knowledge. The research was conducted in 2019 among students from Poland and Georgia (as countries at various stages of advancement in the market economy). The results of the research were statistically analyzed in terms of obtaining answers to the hypotheses and research questions, checking the significance of differences in the answers due to nationality, and additionally, gender (chi-square test and test for two proportions). The primary contribution of this study is an exploration of the views of students on various issues of CSR and sustainability. The results showed that—according to students—ethical values, increased consumer awareness, and the desire to gain a competitive advantage are the most common reasons for the implementation of the CSR concept by companies. The vast majority of respondents indicated the need to enrich the knowledge of business ethics as an important aspect shaping the attitudes of employers and employees. The positive attitude of students regarding the impact of CSR on the company’s profitability was confirmed, although the authors expected more unambiguous results. Differences were also distinguished between the responses of students from both countries on some issues, such as: opinions on the developing ethical sensitivity, the need for the credibility of the EU economic policy, ecology and relations with the local community, as well as relations with the closest stakeholders of companies. The results of the conducted research suggest the need for intense activity in the field of public awareness and the requirement of personnel training for the skilful implementation of CSR principles in enterprises. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation for Sustainable Business)

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17 pages, 479 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Drivers of Technological Eco-Innovation—Dynamic Capabilities and Leadership

by Magdalena Pichlak

Sustainability 2021, 13(10), 5354; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105354 - 11 May 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3046

Abstract

In the paper, a theoretical framework that combines the multidimensional conceptualization of dynamic capabilities (sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring) with two leadership styles (transactional and transformational) and two types of eco-innovation (incremental and radical) was developed and empirically tested. The purpose of this study is to answer the key question: how different leadership styles influence the potential of dynamic capabilities to generate ecological changes. The research examining the theoretical framework was quantitative and was based on a deliberately selection of the sample, which included 54 of the most evo-innovative Polish companies. The results indicate that transformational leadership moderates the positive relationship between seizing capability and both incremental and radical technological eco-innovation, whereas transactional leadership moderates the positive relationship between reconfiguring capability and both types of analyzed changes. This paper contributes to the development of the literature by integrating three theoretical concepts, showing the importance of a given leadership style as a factor enhancing the potential of dynamic capabilities for the development of technological eco-innovation. Moreover, the study may be a contribution to a broader discussion on the specifics of eco-innovative activity and its behavioral conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation for Sustainable Business)

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