Luis Fonseca

Corporate mission statements articulate organizational purpose, strategic priorities, and stakeholder commitments, yet there is limited evidence on how sustainability-leading corporations communicate these elements. This study examines mission statements of companies included in the 2025 Corporate Knights Global 100 Most Sustainable Companies ranking. Structured content analysis coded eight mission components and five stakeholder categories. Three dimensions were investigated: relative sustainability-ranking position, geographic location, and industry sector. The ranking analysis compared two groups of 20 companies with valid mission data selected from the upper and lower ends of the ranking, while geographic and sectoral analyses included 75 complete cases. In the corrected ranking comparison, Customers & Market and Products & Services were more frequent among lower-ranked companies and reached nominal significance in Yates-corrected chi-square tests (p = 0.0203 and p = 0.0113, respectively), with moderate effect sizes. However, neither association remained statistically significant after Holm correction for 13 parallel comparisons, and the findings should therefore be interpreted as exploratory. Omnibus analyses did not identify statistically significant geographic or sectoral differences, although sparse and uneven subgroup sizes limit inferential strength and prevent interpretation of non-significance as evidence of homogeneity. Drawing on stakeholder, signaling, and institutional perspectives, the study identifies potentially meaningful differences in how sustainability-leading corporations communicate operational and stakeholder dimensions of corporate purpose while emphasizing the need for larger, longitudinal, and textually richer research designs.

The rapid expansion of the European e-bike market has increased demand for light-weight 6061 aluminum frames with premium cosmetic finishes, highlighting the need for thermally stable surface-leveling materials compatible with high-throughput powder coating. This study aims to develop a universal (the term “universal” refers to a single putty material intended to meet the requirements of both investigated liquid and powder-coating processes within the studied 6061 aluminum e-bike manufacturing environment) conductive epoxy matrix capable of replacing the dual-putty system currently used in industrial production. A two-phase methodology was implemented under real manufacturing conditions. First, an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) evaluated 32 commercial putty–primer combinations against thermal stability, process compatibility, and production cycle requirements, identifying intermediate liquid primers as the main cause of thermal outgassing and coating defects. Second, a comparative experimental validation evaluated selected graphene-reinforced epoxy formulas produced by planetary centrifugal mixing. The best-performing formulation among those evaluated, containing 0.6 vol% graphene nanoplatelets, showed improved electrostatic powder-deposition performance, consistent with enhanced conductive pathways within the modified matrix, while mitigating coating difficulties associated with the Faraday-cage effect, and achieved Class 0 adhesion while maintaining thermal stability at 180 °C. The resulting Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 putty, in accordance with NASA’s (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) measuring system, demonstrates the technical feasibility of consolidating the surface finishing process into a single universal matrix, reducing manufacturing complexity, eliminating the dual-material bottleneck, and supporting more efficient and sustainable mass production of aluminum e-bike frames.

This study explores how digital transformation, measured by the Global Digitalisation Index (GDI), relates to progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across EU member states. Using partial correlation, regression analysis with interaction terms and cluster analysis, the research examines the moderating effects of governance and culture. Initially, 12 significant links were identified between GDI and various SDGs, exhibiting positive associations with health, gender equality, innovation, urban sustainability, and strong institutions, but a recurring negative association with SDG 15 (Life on Land). When accounting for culture and governance, these correlations dropped to six and then to three. GDI remained positively associated with SDG 3 (Health) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and negatively associated with SDG 15. The regression analysis with interaction terms revealed that digital transformation enhances sustainable development performance, but its effectiveness depends on cultural context. Moreover, the cluster analysis revealed four country profiles. The findings support targeted policy development and contribute to Industry 5.0 discussions by highlighting how digitalization interacts with institutional and cultural contexts to influence sustainability outcomes.

This research explores how lean practices, aimed at eliminating waste and improving operational efficiency, relate to sustainability in supply chains. Organizations must be economically, environmentally, and socially competitive to ensure long‐term performance and stakeholder satisfaction. The study investigates the criteria for determining a lean, sustainable supplier. It proposes a conceptual model and framework for identifying lean, sustainable suppliers, validated through a literature review and survey data from supply chain professionals. This investigation employs exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and the findings reveal a strong correlation between lean practices and sustainability, with critical dimensions like cost, quality, delivery, social, environmental, and economic factors interlinked. The research offers practical tools for managers to assess and select suppliers, enhancing both efficiency and sustainability while contributing to the academic literature on the intersection of lean and sustainable practices.

This article examines how Portuguese companies perceive Industry 4.0 (I4.0), focusing on its benefits, challenges, and critical success factors. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining a Likert-scale questionnaire and open-ended questions to gather data. The empirical data was collected from a sample of 52 respondents with high education levels from the North region of Portugal. The results indicate a generally positive perception of I4.0, especially regarding innovation, efficiency, and profitability. However, challenges such as high investment costs and knowledge gaps were also highlighted. Critical success factors include top management involvement, digitalization, and strategic alignment. The study shows no statistically significant differences in perceptions across activity, the areas of activity, or the industry sector. This suggests that the digital divide may be narrowing, and there is a convergence in digital transformation priorities across industries. In conclusion, while I4.0 is widely perceived as beneficial, its successful implementation depends heavily on a balanced integration of technology, human capital, and strategic vision. Organizations must go beyond investing in new technologies by also fostering a supportive environment characterized by leadership, training, and clear alignment with broader goals such as sustainability and data governance. Future research could explore how different companies address these challenges and provide specific strategies for I4.0 adoption. Finally, the study is supported by a predominance of high education levels among respondents, which may only partially represent the broader workforce involved in I4.0.

Examining the energy consumer behavioral model is critical for national governments and academia. This endeavor seeks to uncover effective solutions amid the energy crisis and climate change challenges. This article delves into legislative developments within the energy sector, European Commission recommendations for reducing energy consumption, and existing constraints impacting individual consumers. By scrutinizing the relevant literature, we aimed to identify and analyze factors that can enhance individual benefits derived from energy savings. Then, a comprehensive set of variables was formulated to model the final consumers’ behavior. Data collection involved administering questionnaires to individual consumers, consumer associations, and energy micro-enterprises in Romania. The gathered data were meticulously analyzed using the Smart-Pls 4 statistical software. Building upon insights from specialized literature, this paper pinpoints the behavioral determinants influencing the reduction in energy consumption. These determinants serve as independent variables shaping the voluntary adoption of measures in lifestyle and behavior among various types of energy users. This study’s findings validate the assumptions presented in this article, highlighting that a reduction in energy consumption is a direct and intrinsic outcome achieved by cumulatively addressing several factors. These factors encompass investments in the energy sector, budget allocation for energy consumption expenditure, adherence to social behavior norms, access to pertinent information about the consequences of the energy crisis, and individual responsibility. Notably, the perception of energy-saving opportunities emerges as a mediator between the independent variables and energy savings with a significant effect. This aspect, developed for the first time in this article, draws inspiration from the prospect theory introduced by Kahneman and Tversky.