Where to Go with Corporate Sustainability? Opening Paths for Sustainable Businesses through the Collaboration between Universities, Governments, and Organizations

Abstract

This study aims to identify and analyze the Scientific–Technical Scenario on Corporate Sustainability (STS-CS) and propose a Triple Helix-based framework for its development and guidance of future scientific and technological investments. The study was developed using a combined method of bibliometric analysis and content analysis of scientific papers and technical publications (patents, white papers, publications from public bodies, etc.). The scientific papers were searched in the Scopus database and technical publications in the Orbit Intelligence, ProQuest, and UN Global Compact platforms. The STS-CS was analyzed in light of the scientific and technical literature and experience of the authors of the study, which allowed the proposition of the framework with initiatives expanded and adapted to the domains of the Triple Helix sectors “Universities,” “Governments”, and “Organizations” through a process of enriching the good practices identified in the CS scenarios. The main academic contribution of this work is the upgrade of the scientific block of knowledge on CS based on cooperation between the sectors of Triple Helix that expands and deepens the research aimed at contributing to sustainable business development. As for the applied contributions, companies can identify business opportunities to increase their profits in a sustainable way, governments can find suggestions for public measures for the development of CS, and universities can identify recommendations for training professionals capable of managing socio-economic issues and developing partnerships with companies for the innovation and development of sustainable products and processes.

International universities-firms cooperation as a mechanism for environmental sustainability: a case study of EdgeWise

“…This answer gives a perception of how this project contributed to improved environmental sustainability, strengthening the arguments that this type of inter-organisational cooperation is seen as a driver to implement sustainable development objectives downstream (Enright et al, 2018;United Nations, 2015) and environmental balance upstream, with universities and research centres being the ideal place to stimulate formation of these partnerships (Nunhes et al, 2020;Perchinunno and Cazzolle, 2020) and others directed towards innovation (Nunhes et al, 2021).…”

“…Summarising, it is fundamental to implement partnerships with universities and centres of research and development, technology and sustainable processes, as well as creating programmes with suggested ideas to support the development of socio-environmental projects (Nunhes et al, 2020;Perchinunno and Cazzolle, 2020). In addition, universities can identify recommendations to train professionals able to manage socio-economic questions and implement inter-organisational cooperative relations, directed to innovation and development of sustainable products and processes (Nunhes et al, 2021).…”

Sustainable education and youth confidence as pillars of future civil society

“…The findings support the model of a sustainable community based on stakeholder engagement, which can fundamentally change even industrial systems 44 . However, sustainable communities require support from HEIs 26 , which in turn need to connect to the outside world 52 and embrace change, on the basis of dynamic competencies. Some authors have suggested rethinking the role of universities within society 53 by strengthening their connection with local realities in order to increase their resilience 54 , without neglecting the importance of their internalization 55 .…”

Striding towards Sustainability: A Framework to Overcome Challenges and Explore Opportunities through Industry 4.0

“…Phase 4 has the content analysis, systematizing the main innovations and governmental, industrial and academic initiatives of the four countries highlighted in STS-S4.0, from the perspective of the TH model. This systematization allows the creation of a framework that contributes to the development of initiatives that combine actions of public and private authorities [50]. Thus, this paper analyzes official documents, such as reports from national and international bodies, government web pages and countries with the highest number of patents related to S4.0.…”