Dear Colleagues,

The Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework is increasingly recognized as fundamental for contemporary businesses to evolve toward socially and environmentally conscious entities that contribute to societal and planetary integrity captured by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Increasingly, firms realize that their future strategical position and market dependability relies on their ESG ambition and vision. ESG factors account for many issues, including a company's environmental footprint, labor practices, and corporate governance. As more consumers and investors become aware of the impact of their purchasing and investment decisions, ESG has become an important consideration in evaluating the long-term viability of a company. Companies with strong ESG practices are often viewed as more attractive investment opportunities, as they are perceived to be better managed and more likely to generate long-term value. Additionally, companies with strong ESG practices can benefit from improved employee retention and attraction and enhanced customer loyalty. As such, companies need to prioritize ESG in their operations and decision-making processes.

While the development of ESG frameworks and standards is in full swing, digitalization has become a key enabler. With digitalization, firms can better measure and improve their ESG performance by providing data collection and analysis tools, enhanced transparency and reporting, and increased resource efficiency. At the same time, digital innovation can also present challenges and risks such as cybersecurity, data privacy, ethical concerns, and the environmental impact of technology.

This Special Issue aims to publish original and high-quality research papers with topics including (but not limited to):

• Impact and applicability of tools and (emerging) technologies for improving data collection, validation, centralization, and analysis (e.g., AI/ML, low/no-code solutions, process/workflow, and decision-making (hyper)automation, data analytics, blockchain, (industrial) Internet-of-things, etc.);
• Impact and applicability of tools and technologies for holistic (baseline) assessments (e.g., data and digital platforms, incentive schemes, performance management cycle, ranking externalities);
• Tools, technologies, and frameworks with a focus on integrative KPIs and measurement systems (e.g., life cycle analysis, double materiality, system of record);
• Tools, technologies, and frameworks for multi-stakeholder analysis and decision-making across the value chain (i.e., supply chain actors, investors, bankers, insurers, employees);
• Tools, technologies, and frameworks for ESG data (quality) management and auditability (e.g., availability, comparability, validity, reliability, timeliness, etc.);
• Frameworks and roadmaps on evolving ESG maturity (e.g., across data collection and validation, strategic positioning, reporting standards, and procedure, governance, stakeholder management, etc.).

Dr. Sam Solaimani
Guest Editor

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.

• ESG
• sustainability
• SDG
• digital transformation
• emerging technologies
• data management
• change management