Knowledge-Driven Sustainability, Green Innovation, and Digital Technologies

Dear Colleagues,

At this critical juncture for our planet, the confluence of green innovation and digital technologies within supply chain and logistics management emerges as a key lever for sustainable progress. This Special Issue, "Knowledge-Driven Sustainability, Green Innovation, and Digital Technologies," is an invitation to scholars and practitioners alike to submit work that spans the full spectrum of research, from theoretical foundations to the application of digital solutions in real-world scenarios. Whether it is elucidating the role of digital technologies in enhancing environmental advocacy or detailing the application of IoT in creating more sustainable production processes, this Special Issue aims to serve as a platform for diverse insights and innovative solutions that are conducive to sustainability. We are particularly interested in contributions that not only address current challenges but also propose forward-thinking solutions that pave the way for a sustainable and resilient future.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue of Sustainability.

Aim

In this collection, we aim to present a comprehensive collection of research that spans the full breadth of theory and practice within the realm of sustainable supply chains and logistics management. This Special Issue is crafted to demonstrate the pivotal role of digital technologies, green innovation, and knowledge-based strategies in enhancing sustainability and resilience across various sectors. By addressing critical global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and societal inequities, we align closely with the core focus of Sustainability on multidisciplinary approaches to sustainable development. Our aim is to foster an extensive dialogue that bridges theoretical research and practical applications, enriching the journal's mission to advance understanding and solutions for a sustainable future. Through this Special Issue, we seek to catalyze a rich exchange of ideas that will spur novel and innovative pathways for integrating sustainability into supply chains and logistics, underlining the interconnectedness and complexity of contemporary sustainability challenges.

Scope

This Special Issue's scope is meticulously aligned with the broad thematic interests of Sustainability, encouraging diverse contributions that range from abstract theoretical discourse to concrete technological applications. We invite submissions that explore the impact of digitalization on the circular economy, assess the significance of cybersecurity in safeguarding environmental information, investigate the creation of resilient industrial frameworks, and propose models for inclusive sociotechnical ecosystems. Such contributions are expected to draw from a wide spectrum of academic and professional disciplines—including, but not limited to, environmental sciences, industrial engineering, information technology, psychology, business studies, and policy analysis—that echo the journal's interdisciplinary ethos. By covering topics that directly intersect with the journal's aim to explore sustainable development from multiple angles, this Special Issue intends to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical implementation in sustainability. It offers a platform for scholarly dialogue that contributes to the journal's ongoing discussion of how to effectively navigate and address the intricacies of sustainability in modern supply chains and logistics management. 

We encourage submissions that explore a wide range of themes and employ various article types to enrich the discourse on sustainable supply chains and logistics management. Our aim is to assemble a collection of works that reflect the multidimensional nature of sustainability and showcase innovative research, case studies, reviews, and theoretical analyses. Below are suggested themes and article types that align with the scope and objectives of this Special Issue:

Suggested Themes:

• Digital Transformation and the Circular Economy: Studies that explore how digital technologies facilitate the transition to circular economic models, emphasizing waste reduction, resource efficiency, and economic sustainability.
• Cybersecurity in Sustainable Systems: Research on the importance of cybersecurity in protecting environmental data and ensuring the integrity of green technologies.
• Resilient Industrial System Design: Articles that focus on designing industrial systems capable of withstanding and adapting to environmental, economic, and social shocks, contributing to long-term sustainability.
• Inclusive Sociotechnical Systems for Sustainability: Papers examining how sociotechnical systems can be designed to be more inclusive, addressing issues of gender equality, cultural diversity, and social justice within the context of sustainable development.
• Green Innovation Through IoT and Industry 4.0: Case studies and research articles on the role of Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0 technologies in enhancing environmental sustainability and green innovation.
• Sustainability in Supply Chain and Logistics Management: Theoretical and empirical studies on sustainable practices in supply chain and logistics management, including green procurement, sustainable transportation, and lifecycle analysis.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Governance for Sustainability: Insights into how effective stakeholder engagement and governance mechanisms can facilitate the implementation of sustainable practices across different sectors.
• Educational and Psychological Aspects of Sustainability: Articles exploring the role of education and psychology in promoting sustainable behaviors and attitudes among individuals and organizations.

Suggested Article Types:

• Original Research Articles: Empirical studies, quantitative analyses, and qualitative research that contribute new insights into the themes outlined above.
• Review Articles: Comprehensive reviews of the existing literature on specific topics within the scope of this Special Issue, highlighting areas for future research and synthesizing key findings.
• Case Studies: Detailed examinations of specific instances of green innovation, digital technology applications, or sustainable practices within organizations, industries, or communities.
• Theoretical and Conceptual Papers: Articles that present new theories, conceptual frameworks, or critical analyses of existing ideas related to sustainability, green innovation, and digital technologies.
• Policy Analysis: Studies analyzing policy frameworks, regulatory approaches, and governance mechanisms that support or hinder sustainability in supply chains and logistics management.
• Perspective and Opinion Pieces: Short articles offering insights, reflections, or critiques on current trends, policies, and practices in the field of sustainability, particularly those related to the themes of this Special Issue.

By suggesting these themes and article types, we aim to curate a diverse and comprehensive Special Issue that advances our understanding of sustainability in the context of digital technologies and green innovation and that contributes valuable insights to the field and the broader objectives of Sustainability.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Andrea Falegnami
Guest Editor

Dr. Andrea Tomassi
Prof. Dr. Riccardo Valentini
Guest Editor Assistants

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.

• environmental sustainability
• green innovation
• digital transformation
• circular economy
• Industry 4.0
• green cybersecurity
• sociotechnical systems
• stakeholder and social engagement
• green knowledge management
• supply chain management