Josep Llach, Maria del Mar Alonso‐Almeida, Jordi Perramon, Llorenç Bagur‐Femenias
The adoption of circular economy ( CE ) practices in the private sector has received increasing academic and managerial attention, although the implementation of such practices continues to face significant barriers. Among Industry 4.0 technologies, blockchain has been identified as a potential factor associated with the CE transition. This study examines managers' perceptions of blockchain's role in relation to CE principles and practices, as well as their connections to company performance. A covariance‐based structural equation model was applied to survey data obtained from 404 senior managers in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in CE adoption. The findings suggest positive associations between blockchain perceptions and CE principles, which are, in turn, related to CE business processes. These processes are positively associated with internal transformation, resilience, and competitive capacity. This study contributes exploratory evidence to the emerging blockchain– CE literature, thereby identifying managerial perceptions as a foundation for future empirical validation and offering insights for academics, practitioners, and policy‐makers.
{"title":"Blockchain Technology and the Circular Economy Transition: Associations With Company Performance","authors":"Josep Llach, Maria del Mar Alonso‐Almeida, Jordi Perramon, Llorenç Bagur‐Femenias","doi":"10.1002/bse.70650","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70650","url":null,"abstract":"The adoption of circular economy ( <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> ) practices in the private sector has received increasing academic and managerial attention, although the implementation of such practices continues to face significant barriers. Among Industry 4.0 technologies, blockchain has been identified as a potential factor associated with the <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> transition. This study examines managers' perceptions of blockchain's role in relation to <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> principles and practices, as well as their connections to company performance. A covariance‐based structural equation model was applied to survey data obtained from 404 senior managers in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> adoption. The findings suggest positive associations between blockchain perceptions and <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> principles, which are, in turn, related to <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> business processes. These processes are positively associated with internal transformation, resilience, and competitive capacity. This study contributes exploratory evidence to the emerging blockchain– <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> literature, thereby identifying managerial perceptions as a foundation for future empirical validation and offering insights for academics, practitioners, and policy‐makers.","PeriodicalId":9518,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and The Environment","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146260891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Adriana Santos, Arnaldo Coelho, Maria Elisabete Duarte Neves
This study examines the influence of circular economy practices, as a manifestation of corporate social responsibility, on green value co‐creation and its subsequent effects on green collaborative practices and sustainable supply chain integration between providers and customers. Grounded in signaling theory, the proposed model also investigates the moderating role of greenwashing on these relationships. Using structural equation modelling on a sample of 221 supplier–customer dyads in Portugal, results demonstrate that circular economy initiatives significantly enhance green value co‐creation, which in turn fosters green collaborative practices and sustainable supply chain integration. The moderating effect of greenwashing negatively impacts the perceived authenticity of these initiatives, thereby weakening their effectiveness. This research advances theoretical understanding of the mechanisms driving sustainable interorganizational collaboration and provides managerial insights for enhancing green supply chain strategies in the context of increasing environmental scrutiny.
{"title":"Beyond Greenwashing: Impact of Circular Economy Practices on Green Collaborative Practices and Sustainable Supply Chain Integration Through Green Value Co‐Creation","authors":"Adriana Santos, Arnaldo Coelho, Maria Elisabete Duarte Neves","doi":"10.1002/bse.70643","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70643","url":null,"abstract":"This study examines the influence of circular economy practices, as a manifestation of corporate social responsibility, on green value co‐creation and its subsequent effects on green collaborative practices and sustainable supply chain integration between providers and customers. Grounded in signaling theory, the proposed model also investigates the moderating role of greenwashing on these relationships. Using structural equation modelling on a sample of 221 supplier–customer dyads in Portugal, results demonstrate that circular economy initiatives significantly enhance green value co‐creation, which in turn fosters green collaborative practices and sustainable supply chain integration. The moderating effect of greenwashing negatively impacts the perceived authenticity of these initiatives, thereby weakening their effectiveness. This research advances theoretical understanding of the mechanisms driving sustainable interorganizational collaboration and provides managerial insights for enhancing green supply chain strategies in the context of increasing environmental scrutiny.","PeriodicalId":9518,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and The Environment","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146215722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mariapia Pazienza, Martin de Jong, Dirk Schoenmaker
Managers require a universal, comparable, and decision‐useful measure of corporate sustainability that can reliably inform business strategy, yet such a tool remains absent in the literature and current practice. This paper introduces a comprehensive and operational metric—grounded in Goertz's Basic Framework for developing social science concept and fuzzy logic—that defines what full sustainability represents and offers a standardized approach to measuring it. The theoretical foundation frames sustainability as a set of necessary, noncompensatory dimensions, and the methodology operationalizes it into a structured indicator system with a fuzzy‐logic aggregation model. Using two illustrative cases from resource‐intensive and information technology sectors, the analysis shows how the metric identifies actionable improvement areas, guides trade‐offs, and reveals strategic priorities. By providing consistent, comparable, and disaggregated insights across the environmental, social, and economic dimensions, the metric supports strategic decision‐making and helps managers prioritize actions and navigate constraints and trade‐offs, as well as conveys overall corporate sustainability performance into a single interpretable ratio.
{"title":"A Universal and Actionable Measure of Corporate Sustainability for Strategic Decision Making","authors":"Mariapia Pazienza, Martin de Jong, Dirk Schoenmaker","doi":"10.1002/bse.70673","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70673","url":null,"abstract":"Managers require a universal, comparable, and decision‐useful measure of corporate sustainability that can reliably inform business strategy, yet such a tool remains absent in the literature and current practice. This paper introduces a comprehensive and operational metric—grounded in Goertz's Basic Framework for developing social science concept and fuzzy logic—that defines what full sustainability represents and offers a standardized approach to measuring it. The theoretical foundation frames sustainability as a set of necessary, noncompensatory dimensions, and the methodology operationalizes it into a structured indicator system with a fuzzy‐logic aggregation model. Using two illustrative cases from resource‐intensive and information technology sectors, the analysis shows how the metric identifies actionable improvement areas, guides trade‐offs, and reveals strategic priorities. By providing consistent, comparable, and disaggregated insights across the environmental, social, and economic dimensions, the metric supports strategic decision‐making and helps managers prioritize actions and navigate constraints and trade‐offs, as well as conveys overall corporate sustainability performance into a single interpretable ratio.","PeriodicalId":9518,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and The Environment","volume":"103 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146261157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Komal Ashfaq, Muhammad Ishtiaq Ishaq, Usman Ullah, Ali Raza, Wasim Abbas Shaheen
Environmental sustainability has emerged as a pressing concern, capturing researchers' interest and driving an expansion of empirical studies in the field. Accordingly, this study explores the relationship between financial liberalization, renewable energy consumption, technological innovation, and ecological footprints, with green growth as a mediating factor. The data for this study are from the WDI, and the Chinn‐Ito index from 2001 to 2021, covering 160 countries. The study used the Generalized Method of Moments estimation technique to address endogeneity and ensure robust analysis. The findings reveal that financial liberalization positively affects the ecological footprint. Renewable energy use reduces the ecological footprint, underscoring its role in mitigating environmental degradation. Technological innovation also has a negative and significant relationship with the ecological footprint, showing its potential to lower ecological impact. Surprisingly, green growth has a positive and significant impact on ecological footprints, suggesting that while it drives economic expansion, it may also lead to increased environmental pressures. This counterintuitive result underscores the complexity of achieving sustainable development, underscoring the need for targeted green growth strategies that align economic activities with ecological sustainability. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers seeking to reconcile economic and environmental objectives in pursuit of long‐term sustainability, emphasizing green growth as a way forward.
{"title":"Technological Innovation and Financial Liberalization in Shrinking Ecological Footprints: Mediating Role of Green Growth","authors":"Komal Ashfaq, Muhammad Ishtiaq Ishaq, Usman Ullah, Ali Raza, Wasim Abbas Shaheen","doi":"10.1002/bse.70617","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70617","url":null,"abstract":"Environmental sustainability has emerged as a pressing concern, capturing researchers' interest and driving an expansion of empirical studies in the field. Accordingly, this study explores the relationship between financial liberalization, renewable energy consumption, technological innovation, and ecological footprints, with green growth as a mediating factor. The data for this study are from the WDI, and the Chinn‐Ito index from 2001 to 2021, covering 160 countries. The study used the Generalized Method of Moments estimation technique to address endogeneity and ensure robust analysis. The findings reveal that financial liberalization positively affects the ecological footprint. Renewable energy use reduces the ecological footprint, underscoring its role in mitigating environmental degradation. Technological innovation also has a negative and significant relationship with the ecological footprint, showing its potential to lower ecological impact. Surprisingly, green growth has a positive and significant impact on ecological footprints, suggesting that while it drives economic expansion, it may also lead to increased environmental pressures. This counterintuitive result underscores the complexity of achieving sustainable development, underscoring the need for targeted green growth strategies that align economic activities with ecological sustainability. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers seeking to reconcile economic and environmental objectives in pursuit of long‐term sustainability, emphasizing green growth as a way forward.","PeriodicalId":9518,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and The Environment","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146215723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study examines how banks' funding costs affect liquidity creation and whether environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance shapes this relationship. Using panel data for 136 U.S. commercial banks from 2005 to 2022, we show that higher funding costs are associated with lower liquidity creation, indicating that more expensive funding constrains banks' capacity to supply liquidity in the economy. We also find that stronger ESG performance is linked to greater liquidity creation. Moreover, ESG performance significantly moderates the funding cost–liquidity creation nexus, consistent with the view that banks with stronger ESG profiles can attract more stable or cheaper deposits, as depositors may accept relatively lower interest rates. These findings remain robust across alternative liquidity‐creation measures and a range of empirical approaches, including random‐effects models, two‐step system GMM, and regression discontinuity designs.
{"title":"Funding Costs and Liquidity Creation: Does ESG Play Any Role?","authors":"Sattam Bin Kowibeen, Ashraf Khan, M. Kabir Hassan","doi":"10.1002/bse.70626","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70626","url":null,"abstract":"This study examines how banks' funding costs affect liquidity creation and whether environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance shapes this relationship. Using panel data for 136 U.S. commercial banks from 2005 to 2022, we show that higher funding costs are associated with lower liquidity creation, indicating that more expensive funding constrains banks' capacity to supply liquidity in the economy. We also find that stronger ESG performance is linked to greater liquidity creation. Moreover, ESG performance significantly moderates the funding cost–liquidity creation nexus, consistent with the view that banks with stronger ESG profiles can attract more stable or cheaper deposits, as depositors may accept relatively lower interest rates. These findings remain robust across alternative liquidity‐creation measures and a range of empirical approaches, including random‐effects models, two‐step system GMM, and regression discontinuity designs.","PeriodicalId":9518,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and The Environment","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146215604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alicia Ramírez‐Orellana, Cristina Blanco González‐Tejero, Silvia Giralt Escobar, Antonio Garcia‐Amate
Sustainability has become a central concern in economic policy and corporate governance, increasingly formalised through regulatory frameworks of the European Union (EU). The European Commission has published the EU Taxonomy, which allows economic activities and their contribution to sustainability to be analysed, taking into account indicators and variables related to the environment. With the aim of assessing the impact of this system, its repercussions on performance and awareness in the pharmaceutical industry are analysed for the period 2024 using variables obtained from Thomson Reuters Eikon. To this end, the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS‐SEM) model is used, which allows us to highlight that alignment with the EU Taxonomy does not influence financial performance, while the environmental, social and governance (ESG) sustainability profile does have a positive effect on such performance. However, there is no evidence of a mediating effect between the EU Taxonomy and business performance through the ESG sustainability profile, which could lead to a lack of knowledge or understanding of these measures within organisations. These results are therefore key for business leaders, as they enable them to raise awareness of current regulations and understand the importance of integrating sustainable practices that not only meet regulatory requirements but also drive competitiveness and long‐term value creation. Evidence shows that ESG indices have a greater impact on the awareness and practices of stakeholders than other reporting frameworks promoted by the EU. At the same time, it is essential to continue analysing these types of variables in the various economic activities of society, with the aim of raising awareness and analysing their true impact on the organisation and competitiveness of businesses.
{"title":"Strategic Impact of EU Taxonomy on Pharmaceutical Firms' Performance","authors":"Alicia Ramírez‐Orellana, Cristina Blanco González‐Tejero, Silvia Giralt Escobar, Antonio Garcia‐Amate","doi":"10.1002/bse.70675","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70675","url":null,"abstract":"Sustainability has become a central concern in economic policy and corporate governance, increasingly formalised through regulatory frameworks of the European Union (EU). The European Commission has published the EU Taxonomy, which allows economic activities and their contribution to sustainability to be analysed, taking into account indicators and variables related to the environment. With the aim of assessing the impact of this system, its repercussions on performance and awareness in the pharmaceutical industry are analysed for the period 2024 using variables obtained from Thomson Reuters Eikon. To this end, the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS‐SEM) model is used, which allows us to highlight that alignment with the EU Taxonomy does not influence financial performance, while the environmental, social and governance (ESG) sustainability profile does have a positive effect on such performance. However, there is no evidence of a mediating effect between the EU Taxonomy and business performance through the ESG sustainability profile, which could lead to a lack of knowledge or understanding of these measures within organisations. These results are therefore key for business leaders, as they enable them to raise awareness of current regulations and understand the importance of integrating sustainable practices that not only meet regulatory requirements but also drive competitiveness and long‐term value creation. Evidence shows that ESG indices have a greater impact on the awareness and practices of stakeholders than other reporting frameworks promoted by the EU. At the same time, it is essential to continue analysing these types of variables in the various economic activities of society, with the aim of raising awareness and analysing their true impact on the organisation and competitiveness of businesses.","PeriodicalId":9518,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and The Environment","volume":"44 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146261158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shamraiz Ahmad, Tiberio Daddi, Clyde Eiríkur Hull, Kuan Yew Wong
Circular economy ( CE ) practices can help firms improve environmental, economic, and social performance. While collaboration is essential to CE implementation, the role of open innovation (OI)—a more intensive form of collaboration—remains underexplored. This study investigates how OI and environmental dynamism shape the impact of CE practices on sustainability across all three dimensions. We developed and tested a conceptual model using survey data from 310 European manufacturing firms. We analyzed the data with partial least squares structural equation modeling. Results show that CE practices increase both inbound OI activity and sustainability performance. OI also mediates the relationship between CE and sustainability, enhancing its effects. CE directly improves environmental and economic performance, but not social performance. Environmental dynamism positively moderates the CE –OI link. This reinforces the need for external collaboration in dynamic environments. These findings underscore the strategic value of integrating CE and OI to achieve comprehensive sustainability. For managers, the message is clear: Pairing CE with OI can improve outcomes for the environment, society, and the bottom line.
{"title":"Achieving Sustainability Performance Through Circular Economy Practices Under the Influence of Open Innovation and Environmental Dynamism","authors":"Shamraiz Ahmad, Tiberio Daddi, Clyde Eiríkur Hull, Kuan Yew Wong","doi":"10.1002/bse.70661","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70661","url":null,"abstract":"Circular economy ( <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> ) practices can help firms improve environmental, economic, and social performance. While collaboration is essential to <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> implementation, the role of open innovation (OI)—a more intensive form of collaboration—remains underexplored. This study investigates how OI and environmental dynamism shape the impact of <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> practices on sustainability across all three dimensions. We developed and tested a conceptual model using survey data from 310 European manufacturing firms. We analyzed the data with partial least squares structural equation modeling. Results show that <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> practices increase both inbound OI activity and sustainability performance. OI also mediates the relationship between <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> and sustainability, enhancing its effects. <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> directly improves environmental and economic performance, but not social performance. Environmental dynamism positively moderates the <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> –OI link. This reinforces the need for external collaboration in dynamic environments. These findings underscore the strategic value of integrating <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> and OI to achieve comprehensive sustainability. For managers, the message is clear: Pairing <jats:sc>CE</jats:sc> with OI can improve outcomes for the environment, society, and the bottom line.","PeriodicalId":9518,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and The Environment","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146215705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michael Appiah, Emmanuel Baffour Gyau, Genanew Bekele Worku, Simplice A. Asongu
Energy is a fundamental driver of economic growth, shaping productivity, industrialization, and long‐term economic resilience. In sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), where energy access remains uneven and infrastructure is underdeveloped, understanding sector‐specific energy demand is essential for designing sustainable energy strategies. This study examines the relationship between sectoral growth and energy consumption in 28 SSA countries from 2000 to 2021, utilizing a high‐dimensional fixed effects approach to account for unobserved heterogeneity and enhance estimation precision. The findings reveal that the service sector exhibits the highest energy demand, reflecting its dependence on stable electricity and digital infrastructure. In contrast, the industrial and agricultural sectors exhibit relatively muted energy intensity due to gaps in mechanization and infrastructural constraints. The interaction between foreign direct investment and renewable energy demonstrates a notable synergy, where clean energy investments associated with foreign direct investment significantly reduce overall energy demand. Additionally, the study highlights the moderating role of climate vulnerability in shaping sectoral energy efficiency and enhancing efficiency in industry and agriculture while amplifying demand for services under high vulnerability. Furthermore, by introducing the energy transition staging framework, the study reveals how the impact of sectoral energy use evolves across countries at different stages of energy development, underscoring the need for stage‐specific energy policy. These insights provide a robust framework for policymakers to promote targeted energy efficiency, leverage eco‐investment synergies, and align energy planning with climate resilience and development pathways in SSA.
{"title":"Shaping Energy Transitions: Sectoral Demand, Climate Risk Exposure, and Renewable Pathways in Sub‐Saharan Africa","authors":"Michael Appiah, Emmanuel Baffour Gyau, Genanew Bekele Worku, Simplice A. Asongu","doi":"10.1002/bse.70655","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70655","url":null,"abstract":"Energy is a fundamental driver of economic growth, shaping productivity, industrialization, and long‐term economic resilience. In sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), where energy access remains uneven and infrastructure is underdeveloped, understanding sector‐specific energy demand is essential for designing sustainable energy strategies. This study examines the relationship between sectoral growth and energy consumption in 28 SSA countries from 2000 to 2021, utilizing a high‐dimensional fixed effects approach to account for unobserved heterogeneity and enhance estimation precision. The findings reveal that the service sector exhibits the highest energy demand, reflecting its dependence on stable electricity and digital infrastructure. In contrast, the industrial and agricultural sectors exhibit relatively muted energy intensity due to gaps in mechanization and infrastructural constraints. The interaction between foreign direct investment and renewable energy demonstrates a notable synergy, where clean energy investments associated with foreign direct investment significantly reduce overall energy demand. Additionally, the study highlights the moderating role of climate vulnerability in shaping sectoral energy efficiency and enhancing efficiency in industry and agriculture while amplifying demand for services under high vulnerability. Furthermore, by introducing the energy transition staging framework, the study reveals how the impact of sectoral energy use evolves across countries at different stages of energy development, underscoring the need for stage‐specific energy policy. These insights provide a robust framework for policymakers to promote targeted energy efficiency, leverage eco‐investment synergies, and align energy planning with climate resilience and development pathways in SSA.","PeriodicalId":9518,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and The Environment","volume":"52 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146215726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amid growing pressure for sustainable transformation, the role of Industry 4.0 technologies in enabling digital sustainability remains underexplored, particularly in resource‐intensive sectors of emerging economies. Drawing on the Resource‐Based View and Dynamic Capabilities View, this study investigates how Industry 4.0 adoption contributes to digital sustainability through the mechanism of circular ambidexterity and under the enabling condition of circular open innovation. Using data from the marble manufacturing sector in Pakistan, the study employs PROCESS Macro Model 7 to test a moderated mediation model. Findings reveal that Industry 4.0 has a significant direct effect on digital sustainability outcomes, but this effect is substantially amplified when mediated by circular ambidexterity. Moreover, the mediated relationship is significantly strengthened by circular open innovation, highlighting that collaborative ecosystems enhance the conversion of digital resources into sustainable value. The results underscore that while digital technologies contribute directly to sustainability, their transformative potential is realized most fully when coupled with dynamic capabilities and open collaboration. This study offers the first empirical evidence linking Industry 4.0, circular ambidexterity, and circular open innovation in the marble industry, providing context‐specific insights for resource‐intensive sectors in emerging economies. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed for leveraging Industry 4.0 toward transformative sustainability goals.
{"title":"Industry 4.0 and Digital Sustainability: The Role of Circular Ambidexterity and Circular Open Innovation in Marble Manufacturing","authors":"Noor Ul Hadi","doi":"10.1002/bse.70639","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70639","url":null,"abstract":"Amid growing pressure for sustainable transformation, the role of Industry 4.0 technologies in enabling digital sustainability remains underexplored, particularly in resource‐intensive sectors of emerging economies. Drawing on the Resource‐Based View and Dynamic Capabilities View, this study investigates how Industry 4.0 adoption contributes to digital sustainability through the mechanism of circular ambidexterity and under the enabling condition of circular open innovation. Using data from the marble manufacturing sector in Pakistan, the study employs PROCESS Macro Model 7 to test a moderated mediation model. Findings reveal that Industry 4.0 has a significant direct effect on digital sustainability outcomes, but this effect is substantially amplified when mediated by circular ambidexterity. Moreover, the mediated relationship is significantly strengthened by circular open innovation, highlighting that collaborative ecosystems enhance the conversion of digital resources into sustainable value. The results underscore that while digital technologies contribute directly to sustainability, their transformative potential is realized most fully when coupled with dynamic capabilities and open collaboration. This study offers the first empirical evidence linking Industry 4.0, circular ambidexterity, and circular open innovation in the marble industry, providing context‐specific insights for resource‐intensive sectors in emerging economies. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed for leveraging Industry 4.0 toward transformative sustainability goals.","PeriodicalId":9518,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and The Environment","volume":"6 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146215602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Heidy Montero‐Teran, Rudolf R. Sinkovics, Olli Kuivalainen
This study provides a comprehensive overview of key findings on decarbonization, advanced technologies, and management strategies, highlighting emerging themes shaping the field. Advanced technologies enhance carbon reduction through efficiency, real‐time monitoring, and optimizing resource optimization. However, their integration remains challenging due to technological and organizational complexity, necessitating a shift in management strategies. Growing climate regulations and environmental responsibility make decarbonization a strategic business priority. This study synthesizes research to identify key factors influencing decarbonization management and presents a conceptual framework with research propositions for future study. We argue that successful corporate decarbonization requires a holistic approach integrating technology, revised management strategies, and systemic transformation to accelerate the transition towards a net‐zero economy.
{"title":"Corporate Decarbonization via Technology and Management","authors":"Heidy Montero‐Teran, Rudolf R. Sinkovics, Olli Kuivalainen","doi":"10.1002/bse.70648","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70648","url":null,"abstract":"This study provides a comprehensive overview of key findings on decarbonization, advanced technologies, and management strategies, highlighting emerging themes shaping the field. Advanced technologies enhance carbon reduction through efficiency, real‐time monitoring, and optimizing resource optimization. However, their integration remains challenging due to technological and organizational complexity, necessitating a shift in management strategies. Growing climate regulations and environmental responsibility make decarbonization a strategic business priority. This study synthesizes research to identify key factors influencing decarbonization management and presents a conceptual framework with research propositions for future study. We argue that successful corporate decarbonization requires a holistic approach integrating technology, revised management strategies, and systemic transformation to accelerate the transition towards a net‐zero economy.","PeriodicalId":9518,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and The Environment","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146215724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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