Maximilian Espuny

Food systems are currently challenged by a difficult balance: they rely heavily on natural resources while simultaneously generating significant volumes of waste, all under increasing pressure to decarbonize operations and close material loops. In this context, this study proposes strategic pillars for circular practices in the food industry, with an emphasis on the transformation of waste and by-products into high value-added resources through bio-based processes supported by biorefineries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To underpin this proposal, a PRISMA-guided content analysis of the literature published between 2019 and 2024 (Scopus) identified 30 recurrent CE elements. These elements were systematized into five strategic pillars: valorization of residues and by-products; digitalization of the food supply chain; sustainable education and stakeholder engagement; strategic partnerships for circular business; and regenerative practices based on renewable resources. Together, these pillars point to practical pathways, including the reuse of residues to produce functional ingredients and nutraceuticals, the creation of innovative, sustainable packaging, the generation of renewable energy from biomass, the strengthening of local supply networks, and the use of digital technologies to enhance traceability and transparency. By integrating and organizing fragmented evidence, the proposed framework delivers effective guidance to food industry actors, helping overcome economic and operational barriers to circular practices while supporting collaboration with local partners and research institutions. In doing so, it additionally contributes to advancing key SDGs, particularly SDGs 2, 7, 9, 12, 13, and 17.

Risk management (RM) has been widely studied and adopted as a solution for predicting rapid market changes, increasing industrial and social security, preserving the environment, and preventing disasters. Thus, risk management has become a strategic element for the competitiveness and sustained development of organizations. RM enables the identification, analysis, evaluation, and treatment of risks that affect the organization’s objectives, positively or negatively. This work was developed using the Integrative Review method, which enabled an integrated review, critique, and synthesis of the literature on RM, based on analyses of patents and websites from governments, companies, and research institutes. With this, a new block of RM knowledge was created from the triangulation of information from the main drivers of innovation in society, expanding the existing studies on the subject and providing a basis for further research. As an applied contribution, this study will promote the implementation of RM across governments, companies, and universities, thereby reducing work accidents and environmental incidents, lowering costs, improving productivity, and, consequently, helping organizations consistently achieve their objectives and goals.

This work examines the relationship between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives and sustainable development (SD), highlighting a scientific gap in their effective connection. It aims to propose a framework with recommendations for promoting SD through ESG, considering the governmental, business, and academic spheres from the triple helix (TH) perspective. This framework provides guidelines for public policies, corporate practices, and scientific research, fostering a sustainable balance between the economy, society, and the environment. Using the scientific methods of content analysis and technical–scientific scenario, various sources were analyzed, including patents, legislation, corporate reports, and scientific articles from leading ESG countries. Its findings indicate that the strategic implementation of ESG enhances public governance, strengthens corporate competitiveness, and drives academic innovation. Theoretically, this work articulates ESG and TH to advance SD theory. Practically, it enables governments, businesses, and academia to promote SD in an integrated manner.

The Circular Economy (CE) has become an essential management model to address the environmental challenges of the traditional linear model employed by companies, protecting society and ecosystems from resource depletion and intensified ecological emissions. Thus, this study proposes a framework with recommendations for CE implementation, structured around the Triple Helix (TH) model and designed to be government-led in guiding joint actions among government, organizations, and academia. The framework comprises 21 recommendations distributed across six interconnected stages: (1) Policy Generation from Academic Inputs, (2) Development of Pilot Projects with Industry, (3) Analysis and Academic Validation of Results, (4) Policy Improvement and Scaling, (5) Promotion of Innovation and Technology Transfer, and (6) Global Connection and Replicability. These stages collectively enhance policies and practices, accelerating the transition to a CE. This framework underscores the importance of regionally adapted public policies, technological innovations to extend material lifespans, and the promotion of conscious consumption. It also emphasizes the need for intersectoral collaboration to foster sustainability and efficiency in resource management. Methodologically, this study employs an integrative review to map technical and scientific CE practices in the United Kingdom, China, and the United States. The theoretical contribution validates the TH model as a strategic tool for developing the CE. Furthermore, the practical contribution is the structured pathway to implementing the CE, detailing the main phases of collaboration among TH actors to ensure the effective operationalization of circular strategies.

In scientific research, obtaining reliable information, ideally from several sources of evidence, is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the subject under study. This chapter introduces guidelines for creating the Technical-Scientific Scenario (T-SS), a valuable tool complementing traditional bibliometric studies. The T-SS incorporates the Triple Helix (TH) model, analyzing industry, government, and academia contributions and their interactions. T-SS mapping consists of collecting, interpreting, analyzing, synthesizing, and presenting information about the topic of study, which can be explored from the perspectives of the TH spheres. Its elaboration relies on the integrative review scientific method, which enables the exploration of diverse sources of evidence, such as articles, patents, organizational reports, government laws, research funding agencies, scientific projects from universities, etc. Consequently, it is possible to propose policies, strategies, and actions tailored to the TH spheres based on the T-SS, thereby contributing to the development or enhancement of the field of study.

Purpose: This study proposes directions for developing Entrepreneurship Education (EE) based on innovation by identifying and grouping its driving elements. It intends to build entrepreneurial skills and capacities, enabling individuals to create and manage their businesses successfully. Methodology/Approach: This work used the scientific method of Content Analysis to identify and analyse the EE-boosting elements in the literature. Findings: Among this works theoretical contributions, the theoretical articulation of EE with the Triple Helix sectors—universities, industry, and Government—stands out. These contributions support the advancement of the state of the art and the development of new research. Research Limitation/Implication: Discuss deeper insights into EE elements and their applicability in various educational contexts. Originality/Value of paper: The main contribution of this work was a more efficient interaction between public and private educational institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations, public agencies, and private companies, favouring innovation in the teaching-learning process and the insertion of young people into productive activities.

Objective: The objective of this work is to propose recommendations to improve the management of water resources in a federal higher education institution, aiming to increase water use efficiency and promote a culture of sustainability among students and the local community. This can serve as a benchmark for institutions with similar characteristics. Theoretical Framework: Efficient management of water resources is crucial given the growing global challenge of water scarcity, especially in educational contexts, as they consume a lot of this resource and have a commitment to citizen education. The theoretical framework includes concepts related to sustainability, resource management, and educational institution practices. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a single case study, which allowed for an in-depth analysis of institutional practices and their environmental impacts. Data collection was carried out through various methods, including document analysis, interviews with key stakeholders, and observations of water use practices. Results and Discussion: The results highlight the identification of good practices and challenges faced in water resource management within the institution. The discussion contextualizes these results in light of the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications for sustainability and efficiency in water use. Areas of inefficiency were identified, and sustainable strategies were developed. Possible discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered in this section. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research provide insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of sustainable water management in educational environments. These implications include recommendations for short, medium, and long-term actions that are replicable to other institutions. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by updating sustainable water management practices in educational environments and offers significant applied contributions to the implementation of effective water management solutions. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by its potential impact on decision-making by managers of other educational units.

With technological advancements, there has been a significant increase in the generation of electronic waste (e-waste), leading to severe environmental consequences. Inadequate e-waste management poses obstacles to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and results in detrimental effects such as pollution, health risks, and resource depletion. Recycling and reusing are vital due to the presence of toxic and valuable elements in e-waste. However, several barriers impede effective management, including limited collection points, insufficient awareness, and inadequate policies. For this reason, this paper aims to propose drivers for developing and improving organizational actions that enhance e-waste management, enabling companies to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. Content analysis was employed as the research method to identify booster elements and systematize e-waste management drivers. Thirty-six booster elements related to SDGs 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 17 were identified based on 30 relevant scientific articles from Scopus and 16 sustainability reports from well-ranked companies on the New York Stock Exchange. The systematized drivers encompass recycling and treatment techniques, sustainable manufacturing and consumption, e-waste management technologies, and cooperation networks. The scientific contribution of this work lies in incorporating empirical elements into the literature and enriching the theory of sustainable practices in the electronic equipment industry. In an applied manner, this article contributes to managers who can use the proposed drivers to improve the management of e-waste, thus reducing costs and enhancing the socio-environmental performance of their companies.

Purpose: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are fundamental to the socioeconomic development of a country or region. They directly contribute to increasing employment generation and improving income distribution. Despite the importance of SMEs, there are still opportunities for developing works that support and guide SMEs to use digital technologies, especially to digitalize their customer service. Therefore, this work aims to propose drivers containing recommendations for developing and improving the digitalization of customer service in SMEs.Design/methodology/approach: This work uses a qualitative approach to systematize the main SMEs' characteristics and identify the boosting elements of the digitalization of customer service in the scientific literature. To this end, the authors conducted a content analysis of the most influential empirical and theoretical articles on the theme published from 2016 to 2021 in the Scopus database.Findings: This work identified 38 boosting elements of the digitalization of customer service based on the scientific literature. These elements were grouped into six drivers for developing and improving the digitalization of customer service. The drivers contain recommendations that were adapted for SMEs according to their characteristics and based on the experience of the authors of this work.Originality/value: This work contributes to promoting socioeconomic development, providing important solutions for managers and owners of SMEs to improve their customer service. The proposed drivers support and encourage the use of digital technologies for developing and improving customer service, overcoming the challenges of digitalization in these companies. Thus, SMEs will be able to increase the satisfaction of their customers and improve their competitiveness.