Aleksandra Kekkonen

The global demand for raw materials continues to grow, intensifying the need for responsible mining practices that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship and social responsibility. This paper explores the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into sustainable mining practices, highlighting their critical role in reshaping the industry’s future. Focusing on case studies and industry trends, the research examines how mining companies are adopting ESG frameworks to minimize environmental impact, enhance community engagement, and promote transparent governance. The paper also analyses findings on the financial and operational benefits of ESG integration, including risk mitigation, improved stakeholder trust, and long-term value creation. By aligning business goals with sustainable development objectives, mining companies can enhance their social license to operate and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. The findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach to responsible mining, advocating for collaborative efforts among industry stakeholders, policymakers, and communities.

This study explored factors shaping Estonian entrepreneurs' green transition awareness. Employing mixed methods, it included an online survey (532 enterprise representatives) and focus groups/interviews (42 experts). Findings showed that less than half of Estonian companies were aware of the green transition. Based on proportional odds logistic regressions, factors contributing to this low awareness included a perceived lack of necessity, limited exposure to green regulations, demand for information on green initiatives and absence of an established green transition plan. Entrepreneurs acknowledged the importance of sustainable practices yet lacked expertise in their implementation. Policymaker‐driven targeted communication and training are key for bridging this gap, emphasizing benefits and encouraging green plans. Collaboration and knowledge‐sharing, especially with foreign trade‐linked companies, may foster green practice adoption. These findings aid in understanding awareness gaps and guiding support systems. Policymakers can create effective strategies, training and plans, promoting awareness of Estonia's sustainable goals and eco‐conscious business landscape.

Sustainable human resource management is gaining importance in organizations due to its role in developing a sustainable work environment and well‐being. This paper discusses the relationship between employee perceptions of sustainable human resource management and job satisfaction in 54 countries. We propose that sustainable HRM is positively associated with job satisfaction but that this relationship is moderated by employees' identification with the organization and country‐level individualism–collectivism. Thus, we suggest national culture functions as a second‐level moderator of the relationship of sustainable HRM with organizational identification on job satisfaction. Findings from the multi‐level analyses using data from 14,502 employees nested within 54 countries provided support for our hypotheses, namely that employee perceptions of sustainable HRM were positively associated with job satisfaction and that this relationship was more pronounced for employees with lower levels compared to higher levels of organizational identification in individualistic rather than collectivistic countries. These findings bear important implications for both theory and practice.

There is an urgent need for action to turn cities into hubs for dealing with environmental causes and creating better and more sustainable living for residents. Cities have become systems where sustainability has been neglected for decades due to the fast industrialization in the past. This research aims to investigate how cities can tackle the sustainability crisis on the local level, blending top-down and bottom-up processes through community involvement. The study focuses on the principles of doughnut economics and smart cities and presents opportunities for the practical implementation of digital collective intelligence in achieving sustainable urban development. Further, the article discusses the origins and fundamentals of doughnut economics, smart cities, and digital collective intelligence and critically analyzes their applicability in city governance. The paper proposes a blended model of city digital governance that combines top-down decision-making with community participation through digital collective intelligence. Finally, the article provides recommendations for cities to promote sustainable urban development. The findings of this study are relevant for policymakers, city planners, and researchers interested in promoting sustainable urban development through innovative approaches that blend top-down and bottom-up processes.

Addressing the sustainability crisis requires innovative approaches such as sustainable technological entrepreneurship. The case of Estonia, as an example of a twin (digital and green) transition, is examined. We explored Estonian entrepreneurs’ perceptions of challenges and opportunities related to the green transition. The data were collected via an online survey from 532 Estonian companies, focus groups, and individual semi-structured interviews with 42 experts. Survey data were analyzed using proportional odds logistic regression, and interview data were examined using thematic analysis. Based on the interview findings, the main perceived entrepreneurial opportunities related to green transitions were increasing production efficiency and favoring taxation for green products and services. The main challenges included losing competitive advantage, coping with crises, and the need for long-term planning and significant investments. Survey findings revealed that too much pressure only from politicians and a lack of innovation might increase the likelihood of perceived company cost increases. More pressure from other stakeholders and increased innovation were associated with higher odds of viewing the green transition as an opportunity. This study provides valuable insights into the perceptions of Estonian entrepreneurs regarding the challenges and opportunities of the green transition and contributes to their categorization.