ABSTRACT The growing demand for sustainable solutions has intensified interest in approaches that enable the transition from linear to circular economic models. In this context, this study proposes the development of a conceptual framework that integrates blockchain technology to support the implementation of circular practices. The circular economy aims to reduce waste and maximize the retention of resource value throughout its life cycle. However, its operationalization faces challenges such as a lack of traceability, limited trust among supply chain actors, and insufficient transparency in shared information. Blockchain technology, which enables secure, decentralized, and immutable recording and sharing of data, is a promising alternative to overcome these barriers. Through a systematic literature review, the objective is to propose a conceptual framework that explains how blockchain functionalities can support the execution of circular practices across different stages of the supply chain. The framework is grounded in three theoretical lenses: The Diffusion of Innovation Theory, Institutional Theory, and Transaction Cost and Network Effect Theory. It is structured around three main constructs: blockchain (with key functionalities such as traceability, smart contracts, and tokenization), circular economy practices (based on the hierarchy of the 10rs), and a circular supply chain (focusing on integration, reverse logistics, and sustainability certification). The methodology involved a systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines, resulting in the analysis of 67 peer‐reviewed articles. The findings provide theoretical and practical insights into how blockchain can enable traceability, transparency, automation, and cost reduction in circular supply chains, thereby accelerating the adoption of sustainable and efficient business models.

ABSTRACT This paper analyzes the impact of alternative financing (i.e., green finance, remittances and foreign aid) on sustainable development in Africa. It is based on a panel of 47 African countries from 1990 to 2021. Using the Sustainable Development Index (SDI) developed by Hickel, the study evaluates the influence of three primary sources of alternative financing: migrant remittances, green finance (as measured by investments in renewable energy), and official development assistance (ODA). The methodology is based on Tobit and instrumental variables (IV)‐two‐stage least squares (2SLS) models, adapted for endogeneity resolution. The results show that remittances positively and significantly impact sustainable development, especially in middle‐income countries. However, green finance and ODA negatively impact sustainable development overall. Analysis by income group shows that green finance benefits low‐income countries more and that ODA is more effective in high‐income countries. Additionally, the study emphasizes the catalytic role of financial innovations, particularly mobile money, in amplifying the effects of alternative financing on the SDI. These results underscore the importance of strengthening institutional frameworks, governing financial resources more effectively, and implementing appropriate public policies. Furthermore, it is relevant to provide easier access to digital services and encourage the use of innovative methods to mobilize diaspora resources. Other policy implications are discussed.

ABSTRACT This paper aims to investigate the effect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) variables on business financial performance and their influence on operational and investment decisions. The financial performance of Latin American corporations from 2019 to 2022 was quantitatively analyzed using secondary data from Refinitiv. The analysis conducted through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS‐SEM) revealed a positive effect of environmental factors on profitability, while social factors notably have a negative effect on asset utilization. However, there was no observable impact of governance characteristics on financial performance. These findings suggest that while social issues may hinder operational efficiency, proactive and sustainable corporate practices aimed at addressing environmental challenges can enhance company profitability. Suggestions include adopting comprehensive ESG governance, implementing successful CSR initiatives, and making sustainable investments in environmental policies. A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between ESG factors and financial performance, which seeks to promote both financial success and positive societal and environmental outcomes, necessitates further in‐depth contextual study.

ABSTRACT This work presents a theoretical perspective based on a bibliometric analysis of the research on intellectual capital and environmental sustainability (IC&ES) during the period 1990–2022. Using the Web of Science as the reference database, 291 valid documents were collected and examined through a performance bibliometric analysis and a science mapping analysis based on co‐word bibliographic networks, with SciMAT as the analytical tool. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the IC&ES literature from a holistic perspective, enabling the assessment of the increasing scholarly attention to this research topic. Through an in‐depth analysis, the specific themes and thematic areas that shape the IC&ES literature are identified, along with their evolution dynamics and interrelationships. The main contribution lies in the identification of four thematic areas—Showing, Inventing, Profiting, and Greening—as well as these cross‐fertilizing subdomains that illustrate the main trends and highlight the versatility of the intellectual capital concept and the interdisciplinary nature of the IC&ES field. The findings indicate that the literature on the topic is undergoing a growing specialization, marked by conflicting perspectives from which significant implications can be drawn.

ABSTRACT In today's VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world, business strategy and environmental responsibility are impactful forward‐thinking strategies, and stewardship with emerging technologies like Blockchain will foster long‐term viability, accountability, and improved stakeholder transparency. Blockchain's decentralized nature, transparency, and immutability technology transformed the theoretical approach to practical, ethical, and scalable, providing stakeholders with confidence. The study aims to extensively analyze existing literature to examine the adoption of blockchain technology (BCT) for achieving the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs), including trends, the major themes, and future direction. Through the PRISMA approach, 183 articles were retrieved from Scopus and the WOS database for the years 2017–2023. The bibliometric study was conducted using the bibliophagy application from the R Studio package. The findings reveal that the intersection of SDGs and BCT holds promising opportunities for deeper interdisciplinary collaboration, international engagement, integration of emerging technologies, and the exploration of new research avenues. The findings also depict that countries like India, China, Australia, and Spain actively focus on the area of SDGs and BCT. Third, this study has explored all fundamental trends regarding the publication of productive authors with the affiliation institute and country. Fourthly, the study delved deeper into the methodology employed and examined the prominent topics and potential future directions. Finally, the research highlights important insights that broaden the theoretical understanding in an interdisciplinary field while offering practical guidance for companies, investors, and policymakers. By pinpointing research gaps and suggesting future directions, it enables decision‐makers to strategically align technology adoption with the SDGs. This approach not only fosters greater stakeholder trust but also helps prioritize investments in areas that yield significant impact on SDGs.

ABSTRACTEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors have gained much traction over time due to regulatory and societal changes in countries, governments, corporations, and individuals. This study is conceptualized to analyze the influence of ESG aspects on firms' efficiency using data envelopment analysis. A sample of 149 service firms drawn from the Indian service sector is analyzed using total assets and market capitalization as inputs and total income, profit, and ESG scores as outputs. The second phase analysis uses a simultaneous quantile regression (SQR) to study the association of the firms' efficiency level with the ESG scores. The findings signify a positive association between the social score and the firms' efficiency level at pooled ordinary least square regression and the 25th quantile level. However, it does not find any association between the environmental and governance scores at any quantile level and firms' efficiency. The study highlights significant implications for investors, corporations, and policymakers. ESG awareness will boost the formation of a robust ecosystem for the sustainable growth of the companies. However, further research could explore cross‐industry comparisons over time to capture diverse business environments.

ABSTRACT This study investigates the complex relationship among patent strength, innovation, and CO 2 emissions by exploring a pathway through which the strength of patents influences environmental sustainability. Utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM), we examine data from a diverse set of OECD and non‐OECD countries over the period 1998–2017. Our results reveal a non‐linear, S‐shaped relationship between patent stringency and CO 2 emissions, highlighting that while stronger patent protections can initially lead to increased emissions due to industrial activity, they may also encourage efficiency improvements and cleaner practices after reaching a certain threshold. However, excessively stringent patents may revive emissions by reducing competition and innovation. The findings emphasize the need for nuanced patent policies that consider both economic growth and environmental sustainability.

ABSTRACTThis study examines the effects of supplier innovation and long‐term competitiveness on local oil and gas content compliance, considering the United Arab Emirates (UAE) economic diversification and sustainability objectives and the moderating influence of firm size. Using a quantitative research design to survey 462 oil and gas suppliers in the UAE, and resource‐based view (RBV) and institutional theories, we examined innovation, competitiveness, and local content requirements (LCRs) compliance. Long‐term competitiveness and supplier innovation positively increase LCR compliance more optimally by larger suppliers, making firm size a key moderator. Special initiatives are necessary to support smaller suppliers, overcome resource constraints, and improve competitiveness. This study contributes to the literature by providing insights into the interplay between innovation, competitiveness, and policy compliance in emerging economies. We provide recommendations for improving supplier innovation, aiding smaller firms, and synchronizing LCR policies with sustainability objectives for policymakers and industrial stakeholders.

ABSTRACTCorporate social responsibility (CSR) plays a crucial role in promoting SME growth. For SMEs, cultural preferences can impact their behaviors and goal attainment. This study explores which culture—collaborative or control—is more conducive to CSR fulfillment and SME growth. The study uses ordinary least squares (OLS) analysis of 1639 Chinese listed SMEs from 2015 to 2023 and establishes a novel quantitative measurement system for corporate culture based on public databases. The findings show that CSR positively impacts SME growth, with collaborative culture strengthening and control culture weakening this effect. These findings highlight the importance of aligning corporate culture with CSR practices to foster SME growth. Especially in developing countries like China, which play a key role in economic development and employment, combining CSR with a collaborative culture can enhance competitiveness, improve sustainability, and contribute to long‐term economic stability.