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Advancements in Entrepreneurship, Economic Analysis, and Business Strategy from a Sustainable Perspective

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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 January 2026 | Viewed by 13196

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Federico Lanzalonga

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Guest Editor

Department of Management, University of Turin, 10134 Turin, Italy
Interests: accounting; accountability; sustainability; digital transformation

Prof. Dr. Andrei Bonamigo

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Guest Editor

Production Engineering, Fluminense Federal University—UFF, Av. dos Trabalhadores, 420-Vila Santa Cecília, Volta Redonda, 27255-125, RJ, Brazil
Interests: operational excellence; human-centric engineering; integration of industry 5.0; Lean thinking

Dr. Harnesh Makhija

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Guest Editor

Finance and Law, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai 400077, India
Interests: corporate finance; sustainable finance; project finance; project management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, "Advancements in Entrepreneurship, Economic Analysis, and Business Strategy from a Sustainable Perspective", aims to explore the synergies between sustainable practices and corporate growth. It focuses on how entrepreneurship can drive economic development while adhering to sustainability principles, offering a holistic vision that is both innovative and pragmatic. This Special Issue seeks to serve as a valuable addition to the existing literature by providing insights and contributions that highlight the tangible integration of sustainability into business models and strategies.

Our scope encompasses the latest trends in sustainable business practices, the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies on organizational behavior, and the role of innovation in creating responsible business models. We welcome research employing quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method approaches to define, measure, and monitor sustainability through cutting-edge tools and applications.

This Special Issue is particularly relevant as it addresses sustainability challenges, socio-economic impacts, scientific progress, and integrated approaches to sustainable development. It aligns with the journal’s mission to investigate sustainability in business, including policies, regulations, and practical applications that can pave the way toward a more sustainable future.

We look forward to your contributions and to the enriching dialog this Special Issue will inspire.

Dr. Federico Lanzalonga
Prof. Dr. Andrei Bonamigo
Dr. Harnesh Makhija
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 entrepreneurship
green business models
ESG (environmental, social, and governance) policies
corporate sustainability strategies
economic analysis in sustainability
business innovation for environment
social impact of entrepreneurship
sustainable development goals (SDGs)
green economics
sustainable business practices

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

34 pages, 2067 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparative Analysis of Academic Entrepreneurship Research: The Cases of Bulgaria, Malta, and Turkey

by Mina Nikolaeva Angelova, Daniela Dobreva Pastarmadzhieva, Milosh Raykov, Mustafa Yunus Eryaman and Martina Riedler

Sustainability 2025, 17(13), 5907; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17135907 - 26 Jun 2025

Abstract

Entrepreneurship development strategies are crucial for translating academic potential into economic and societal value. To achieve this, educational institutions must understand the factors influencing students’ entrepreneurial intentions. While research on academic entrepreneurship exists, comparative studies that explore these factors across different national contexts are scarce. This study addresses this gap through a comparative analysis of student entrepreneurship in Bulgaria, Malta, and Turkey, investigating key factors, such as attitudes toward entrepreneurship (ATE), the role of entrepreneurship education (EEdu), and entrepreneurial inspirations. Based on 415 survey responses collected between April and June 2024, hypothesized relationships were tested using appropriate bivariate statistical analyses. The results indicate that a positive evaluation of running one’s own business significantly increases entrepreneurial intentions, particularly when the business is perceived as safe, realistic, pleasant, and strong. The university’s role is pivotal: students largely relied on institutional support for their business initiatives; showed a strong preference for practical, hands-on educational methods; and identified a lack of entrepreneurship education as a key obstacle. A family background with entrepreneurial parents also positively influenced students’ preference for running their own businesses. Interestingly, the findings challenge a simple dichotomy between employment and entrepreneurship. A preference for full-time employment did not diminish entrepreneurial intentions, suggesting students may view these career paths as complementary or sequential. Conversely, preferences for part-time or self-employment did not have a significant positive impact on entrepreneurial initiatives. These findings underscore the need for universities to provide tailored, practical support and to recognize the complex and non-linear career trajectories envisioned by modern students. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Entrepreneurship, Economic Analysis, and Business Strategy from a Sustainable Perspective)

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15 pages, 640 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unverifiable Green Signals and Consumer Response in E-Commerce: Evidence from Platform-Level Data

by Shibo Zhang, Chengcheng Wu, Xinzhu Yan, Yingxue Chen and Hongguo Shi

Sustainability 2025, 17(13), 5678; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17135678 - 20 Jun 2025

Viewed by 163

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of unverifiable green signals—vague environmental claims, trust-substitute cues, and function-stacking—on consumer purchasing behaviors in e-commerce settings. Using detailed product-level data collected from two major Chinese online platforms, Taobao and Pinduoduo, during the peak shopping period in November 2023, we analyze the impact of these signals on product sales using ordinary least squares (OLS), instrumental variable (IV), and propensity score matching (PSM) methods. Results indicate that vague environmental language and function-stacking significantly boost sales across platforms, highlighting consumers’ preference for easily interpretable and seemingly comprehensive products. However, trust-substitute signals exhibit mixed effects, with them being beneficial on platforms with stronger credibility frameworks (Taobao) and less effective or even detrimental on platforms characterized by price competition and weaker governance (Pinduoduo). This study contributes to the literature on consumer trust and digital greenwashing by identifying platform-specific responses to unverifiable eco-claims and underscoring the importance of heuristic processing theories and trust formation mechanisms in digital marketing contexts. These findings underscore the complex dynamics of greenwashing strategies and stress the necessity for enhanced regulation and clearer communication standards to protect consumers and genuinely support sustainable consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Entrepreneurship, Economic Analysis, and Business Strategy from a Sustainable Perspective)

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24 pages, 722 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Global Value Chain Restructuring on the OFDI Transformation of Manufacturing Industry: Evidence from China

by Chenggang Wang, Fan Xu, Chang Lu and Tiansen Liu

Sustainability 2025, 17(12), 5448; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125448 - 13 Jun 2025

Viewed by 300

Abstract

Global value chain (GVC) restructuring has important implications for the transformation of corporate outward foreign direct investment (OFDI), a process that is closely linked to sustainable economic development. Based on panel data from 2007 to 2021, this paper comprehensively applies the fixed effects model, mediation effects analysis, heterogeneity test, and regression analysis to explore how global value chain restructuring promotes the sustainable transformation of corporate OFDI, and it examines the role mechanisms of factor endowment and market scale expansion in the process. The conclusions are as follows: (1) Global value chain restructuring can promote manufacturing enterprises’ OFDI transformation. (2) Global value chain restructuring promotes the transformation of manufacturing OFDI through two channels: factor endowments and market scale. (3) Against countries’ different backgrounds, there are significant differences in the impacts of global value chain restructuring on enterprises’ OFDI. The research results of this paper can provide important insights for relevant government departments and enterprises in formulating management policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Entrepreneurship, Economic Analysis, and Business Strategy from a Sustainable Perspective)

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40 pages, 736 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Consumption and Branding for Gen Z: How Brand Dimensions Influence Consumer Behavior and Adoption of Newly Launched Technological Products

by Dimitrios Theocharis and Georgios Tsekouropoulos

Sustainability 2025, 17(9), 4124; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17094124 - 2 May 2025

Viewed by 7292

Abstract

Generation Z is emerging as a powerful force in shaping global consumer behavior, particularly in the market of digital and technological products. This study examines how specific branding dimensions, such as online brand experience, engagement, image, trust, loyalty, awareness, behavioral intention, and brand knowledge, influence Gen Z’s purchase intention, emphasizing sustainable consumption. Sustainable consumption, in this context, refers to the preference for tech products that minimize the environmental impact through eco-friendly design, energy efficiency, and responsible sourcing. Using a quantitative approach, this cross-sectional research explores the effects of online brand experience, engagement, image, trust, loyalty, awareness, behavioral intention, and knowledge on purchasing newly launched technological products that align with sustainability. Data were collected from a Gen Z sample using a combination of convenience and systematic sampling, and multiple regression analysis identified the most significant predictors of purchase intention. The results indicate that online brand experience, brand image, brand trust, and brand loyalty play the most crucial roles, having a greater effects on Gen Z’s purchase intention, while brand awareness and knowledge also contribute. However, brand engagement and behavioral intention have weaker effects. These findings suggest that brands targeting Gen Z should prioritize building a strong, trustworthy, and engaging online presence while highlighting their sustainability efforts, and when Gen Z consumers have favorable digital interactions with a brand, perceive its image positively, trust it, and feel loyal to it, they are more likely to consider purchasing its sustainable offerings. This study enhances the understanding of Gen Z’s consumer behavior and offers insights for businesses seeking to foster sustainable consumption by highlighting the importance of developing marketing strategies that strengthen online brand experience, cultivate trust and loyalty, and clearly communicate sustainability values, such as through engaging digital content, transparent messaging, and eco-conscious branding, to effectively foster sustainable consumption among this environmentally conscious and digitally driven generation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Entrepreneurship, Economic Analysis, and Business Strategy from a Sustainable Perspective)

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29 pages, 553 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Circular Economy and the Role of Technology in the Fashion Industry: A Comparison of Empirical Evidence

by Patrizia Gazzola, Enrica Pavione, Rainer Hillebrand, Vincenza Vota and Rebecca Rosa

Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3104; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073104 - 1 Apr 2025

Viewed by 2860

Abstract

The present article analyses the theme of circularity in the fashion industry, with particular attention to the role of technology in favoring the adoption of circular economic models. The article explores the role of technology in supporting the circular economy in the fashion industry, focusing on the implementation of circular business models by three companies: SHEIN, Ralph Lauren, and Cotopaxi. The aim is to investigate the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of circular economy practices in an industry known for its environmental impact. The research highlights how technology, particularly software such as Materia MX, can facilitate streamlined supply chains, reduced waste, and optimized resource efficiency, thus, overcoming obstacles such as high investment costs and supply chain complexities. The case studies demonstrate how each company has integrated circular practices, such as recycling, reusing materials, and improving transparency through technologies such as AI, blockchain, and IoT, to promote sustainability. Thus, the study emphasizes the importance of technological innovation in enabling a more sustainable and circular future for the fashion industry while addressing challenges related to consumer awareness, regulatory pressures, and infrastructure. The results suggest that technology is a key factor in the fashion industry’s transition to a circular economy, offering a competitive advantage and facilitating the achievement of environmental objectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Entrepreneurship, Economic Analysis, and Business Strategy from a Sustainable Perspective)

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22 pages, 2026 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Addressing the Demand for Green Skills: Bridging the Gap Between University Outcomes and Industry Requirements

by Tamíris da Costa, Lorena Irazu Aranda Lopez, Camila Perussello, Fiona Quinn, Quentin G. Crowley, Helena McMahon and Nicholas M. Holden

Sustainability 2025, 17(6), 2732; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062732 - 19 Mar 2025

Viewed by 1243

Abstract

The transition to a green economy requires a workforce equipped with green skills to meet the demands of sustainable development and environmental stewardship. This study investigates the alignment between university educational outcomes and industry requirements in Ireland, addressing the persistent gap in green skills. Using a mixed-methods approach, surveys were conducted with students from three Irish universities and companies across diverse sectors. The findings reveal a strong recognition of the importance of green skills among students and companies, yet significant barriers remain. Students report challenges in accessing practical learning experiences, balancing education with personal commitments, and navigating the costs of green certifications. Companies acknowledge the growing need for sustainability expertise but often fail to integrate green skills into recruitment and training strategies, citing high competition for talent and limited awareness of emerging green roles. This study highlights the need for systemic changes in both education and industry. Universities should adopt experiential learning approaches, expand industry collaborations, and ensure flexible access to green education. Companies must prioritise upskilling programmes and align hiring practices with sustainability goals. Policymakers are encouraged to foster public–private partnerships and incentivise investments in green skills development. Addressing these challenges can strengthen the country’s position as a leader in the global green transition, fostering innovation and inclusivity in its workforce. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Entrepreneurship, Economic Analysis, and Business Strategy from a Sustainable Perspective)

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28 pages, 939 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Opportunity Cost Between the Circular Economy and Economic Growth: Clustering the Approaches of European Union Member States

by Dumitru Alexandru Bodislav, Rareș Mihai Nițu, Grigore Ioan Piroșcă and Raluca Iuliana Georgescu

Sustainability 2025, 17(6), 2525; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062525 - 13 Mar 2025

Viewed by 806

Abstract

The circular economy (CE) framework is increasingly recognized as essential for achieving sustainable development by addressing the challenges of resource depletion, waste generation, and environmental degradation. This study examines the relationship between resource consumption, waste management procedures, and energy efficiency within European Union (EU) member states, leveraging data from 2004 to 2023. Using Pearson correlation analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and K-means clustering, this study identifies key sustainability performance indicators and classifies EU nations into four distinct clusters based on CE adoption. These findings reveal a strong positive correlation between resource productivity and circular material use, indicating that efficient resource management significantly enhances sustainability performance. Similarly, energy productivity exhibits a moderate correlation with resource efficiency, suggesting that economies optimizing energy consumption also enhance material use efficiency. This study also assesses the role of policy instruments, such as environmental taxation, which show a weak negative correlation with resource productivity. These insights provide actionable recommendations for policymakers to tailor interventions, harmonize sustainability strategies, and address regional disparities to accelerate the transition to a resilient and efficient circular economy model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Entrepreneurship, Economic Analysis, and Business Strategy from a Sustainable Perspective)

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