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Achieving Sustainable Development Goals Through Collaborative Innovation: Evidence from Four European Initiatives

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Mariani

    (University of Bergamo)

  • Benedetta Trivellato

    (University of Milano-Bicocca)

  • Mattia Martini

    (University of Milano-Bicocca)

  • Elisabetta Marafioti

    (University of Milano-Bicocca)

Abstract

The role to be played by multi-stakeholder partnerships in addressing the ‘wicked problems’ of sustainable development is made explicit by the seventeenth Sustainable Development Goal. But how do these partnerships really work? Based on the analysis of four sustainability-oriented innovation initiatives implemented in Belgium, Italy, Germany, and France, this study explores the roles and mechanisms that collaborating actors may enact to facilitate the pursuit of sustainable development, with a particular focus on non-profit organizations. The results suggest that collaborative innovations for sustainability contribute simultaneously to the fulfilment of different Sustainable Development Goals, reaching beyond their original intent, and that the value being created has the potential to reinforce such roles and mechanisms. These partnerships are prompted and managed by non-profit organizations that act as metagovernors of collaborative innovation processes as they play the roles of cultural spreaders, enablers, relational brokers, service provides, and influencers. These findings will help policy-makers and practitioners in the public and non-profit sector to identify and utilize emerging opportunities for value creation through collaborative innovation, and to better design existing and prospective collaborative efforts aimed at sustainable objectives, thereby supporting progress towards the implementation of Agenda 2030.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Mariani & Benedetta Trivellato & Mattia Martini & Elisabetta Marafioti, 2022. "Achieving Sustainable Development Goals Through Collaborative Innovation: Evidence from Four European Initiatives," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 180(4), pages 1075-1095, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:180:y:2022:i:4:d:10.1007_s10551-022-05193-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-022-05193-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Dongmei Cao & Elmar Puntaier & Fatima Gillani & Dennis Chapman & Sunita Dewitt, 2024. "Towards integrative multi‐stakeholder responsibility for net zero in e‐waste: A systematic literature review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(8), pages 8994-9014, December.
    3. Amalia Kouskoura & Eleni Kalliontzi & Dimitrios Skalkos & Ioannis Bakouros, 2024. "Assessing the Key Factors Measuring Regional Competitiveness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-23, March.
    4. CHIRVASE Ciprian-Sorin & ZAMFIR Andreea, 2023. "The Influence Of Digital Transformation In The Service Sector To Drive Sustainability," Revista Economica, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 75(1), pages 109-120, April.
    5. Huang, Jiayi & Zhou, Peng, 2025. "Open Innovation and Entrepreneurship: A Review from the Perspective of Sustainable Business Models," Cardiff Economics Working Papers E2025/2, Cardiff University, Cardiff Business School, Economics Section.
    6. Oana-Ramona Lobonț & Cristina Criste & Ciel Bovary & Ariana-Denisa Moț & Sorana Vătavu, 2024. "Goals and Pathways of Public Governance Contribution to Achieve Progress in the Quality of Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-26, September.
    7. Jiayi Huang & Peng Zhou, 2025. "Open Innovation and Entrepreneurship: A Review from the Perspective of Sustainable Business Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-11, January.
    8. Chutima Suchitwarasan & Emre Cinar & Chris Simms & Mehmet Akif Demircioglu, 2024. "Innovation for sustainable development goals: a comparative study of the obstacles and tactics in public organizations," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 49(6), pages 2234-2259, December.
    9. Mustafa F. Özbilgin & Cihat Erbil, 2024. "Silencing Mechanisms in Academia: Towards Collaborative Innovation to Support Critical Social Science," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-19, December.
    10. Yeboah, Samuel, 2023. "Navigating Sustainability: Unveiling Responsible Consumption and Production in Developing Economies for SDG 12 Achievement," MPRA Paper 118214, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 25 Jul 2023.
    11. Feri Ferdian & Mohd Salehuddin Mohd Zahari & Youmil Abrian & Nidia Wulansari & Hendri Azwar & Arif Adrian & Trisna Putra & Dwi Pratiwi Wulandari & Hijriyantomi Suyuthie & Pasaribu Pasaribu & Dessi Sus, 2024. "Driving Sustainable Tourism Villages: Evaluating Stakeholder Commitment, Attitude, and Performance: Evidence from West Sumatra, Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-18, July.
    12. Jose Ignacio Galan & Jose Angel Zuñiga‐Vicente, 2023. "Discovering the key factors behind multi‐stakeholder partnerships for contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals: Insights around the electric vehicle in Spain," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(2), pages 829-845, March.

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