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Advances in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Socio-Economic Systems for Local Communities

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2023) | Viewed by 18279

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Hiroki Nakamura

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Guest Editor

Institute of Social Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
Interests: social system studies; regional planning; social entrepreneurship
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Christopher Gan

E-Mail Website
Assistant Guest Editor

Department of Financial and Business Systems, Faculty of Agribusiness & Commerce, Lincoln University, Christchurch 7467, New Zealand
Interests: commercial banking; micro-finance; rural finance; development economics; financial economics; Asian economy; banking; digital finance; cyber risk and cyber fraud
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The current COVID-19 pandemic has exposed not only the global vulnerabilities and inequalities but also the interconnectedness and interdependence of human societies across health, social and economic development. Therefore, the pandemic also has highlighted the people’s need and possibility of cooperation and solidarity to help especially for most vulnerable people in both local and global communities (UN Compact and DNV-GL, 2020).

It is more indispensable and urgent than ever to achieve the 2030 global Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by United Nations and to re-build a more sustainable and inclusive socio-economic system for human societies on both the local and global scales (UN Compact and DNV-GL, 2020). While all the human activities including businesses must deal with social challenges and problems we face today in a post-COVID-19 world (UN Compact and DNV-GL, 2020), in order to ensure such human aactivities more accessible to all people, finance is one of the key factors in socio-economic system to work towards the SDGs (UN Compact and DNV-GL, 2020).

Based on this recognition, this Special Issue will highlight how the socio-economic system, including business and finance, is built and works for local communities to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) not only by theoretical or methodological approaches, but also by a case studies approach. This Special Issue is to address the socio-economic system and to target collective efforts for transition to achieving SDGs in a post-COVID-19 world. Possible paper topics include but are not limited to: social business; social entrepreneurship; green bonds; environmental, social, and governance (ESG); socially responsible investing (SRI); impact investing; impact evaluation, crowdfunding; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); venture capital, business angels; information technology service (ITS); sustainable consumption and production; low carbon energy; climate change.

Dr. Hiroki Nakamura
Prof. Dr. Christopher Gan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sustainable development goals (SDGs)
socio-economic system
local communities

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1198 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“Soy Boy vs. Holy Cow”—Understanding the Key Factors Determining U.S. Consumers’ Preferences and Commitment to Plant-Based Milk Alternatives

by Meike Rombach, David L. Dean and Christopher Gan

Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 13715; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su151813715 - 14 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 963

Abstract

Plant-based milk products are ultra-processed food products that enjoy a positive reputation as being safe, healthy, ethical, and sustainable. The present study is focused on these products and addresses the product and brand managers of US food retailers. A consumer survey explores the factors explaining US consumers’ preferences for and commitment to plant-based milk and other plant-based milk products. Environmental concerns, food safety, health, and sustainability concerns are identified as relevant predictors for both consumer behaviors. In addition, animal welfare concerns are relevant, but only for product commitment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Socio-Economic Systems for Local Communities)

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25 pages, 3565 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Uncovering the Challenges of Sustainable Development in North Aceh: A Policy Analysis of Special Transfer Funds

by Erlan Wijatmoko, Armaidy Armawi and Teuku Faisal Fathani

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8585; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15118585 - 25 May 2023

Viewed by 1251

Abstract

This study evaluates the management of two special funds in North Aceh, Indonesia, to promote sustainable development goals (SDGs) after a protracted conflict that brought the region to the brink of poverty and suffering. The special autonomy fund and the revenue-sharing funds for oil and gas are forms of fiscal decentralization provided by the central government to help Aceh recover from the conflict’s effects and natural disasters. Despite receiving these funds for over 13 years, Aceh remains among the poorest regions in Indonesia. This study used policy analyzing process theory to evaluate the management of these funds at the district level, specifically in North Aceh. A qualitative descriptive method that combines semi-structured interviews, field observations, and government documents, were used in this research. We revealed that the policy of managing these special funds has yet to achieve SDGs, particularly in North Aceh. The underutilization of revenue-sharing funds, the limited allocation of districts’ special autonomy funds, and the emphasis on infrastructure development as a priority have hindered progress and well-being, resulting in persistent poverty, unemployment, and continued dependence on transfer funds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Socio-Economic Systems for Local Communities)

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26 pages, 3413 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Pattern and Evolution Trend of the New Four Modernizations Synchronous Development in China: An Analysis Based on Panel Data from 31 Provinces

by Yang Li, Kunlin Zhu, Xianghui Li, Zunirah Mohd Talib and Brian Teo Sheng Xian

Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6745; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15086745 - 17 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1670

Abstract

The New Four Modernizations (NFM) synchronous development strategy proposed by the Chinese government is an important part of Chinese modernization and is of great significance in promoting the sustainable and high-quality development of the social economy. This paper aims to provide a framework for analyzing the dynamic evolution pattern of China’s NFM synchronous development. We expounded on the theoretical basis of China’s NFM synchronous development strategy. Then, the entropy method and convergence model were used to analyze the dynamic pattern and evolution trend of the NFM synchronous development in China. The findings are as follows: (1) In terms of the current situation of NFM development, China’s new urbanization and industrialization were in the middle stage, while informationization and agricultural modernization were in the initial stage of rapid development. (2) The level of China’s NFM synchronous development continued to improve, but the problem of unbalanced, uncoordinated, and unsynchronized development remained prominent. There were great differences in the development levels of China’s new urbanization, industrialization, informationization, and agricultural modernization, which showed that there was a problem of unbalanced and unsynchronized development within China’s NFM. On the other hand, the synchronous development level of NFM in the eastern, central, and western regions of China showed a spatial pattern of decline although the eastern region was clearly higher than the central and western regions; this revealed that the regional development of NFM in China was unbalanced and uncoordinated. (3) China’s NFM synchronous development has significant

σ

-convergence and

β

-convergence, indicating that backward regions are catching up and regional differences will gradually narrow in the future. This study is helpful in understanding the current situation as well as the dynamic pattern and future evolution trend of NFM synchronous development in emerging countries such as China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Socio-Economic Systems for Local Communities)

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17 pages, 1375 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Analysis of the Progress of Japanese Companies’ Commitment to the SDGs and Their Economic Systems and Social Activities for Communities

by Takafumi Ikuta and Hidemichi Fujii

Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4833; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14084833 - 18 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2717

Abstract

Japanese companies are making rapid progress in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and there is growing interest in the relationship between these goals and financial performance. Moreover, the promotion of the SDGs at the local level encourages opportunities for collaboration with companies. This study analyzed the relationship between the status of SDG efforts and the financial data, as well as social activity data of 533 Japanese manufacturing companies from 2016 to 2020. In terms of academic contribution, this study provides a unique case study in Japan, with consideration of the timing of the initiation of SDG efforts. The results showed that large companies and companies with high profitability tended to start working on the SDGs at an early stage. The results of a comparison of industries showed that the timing of the initiation of SDG initiatives is not affected by profitability in the food and electrical equipment sectors, where SDG efforts are already well underway. From the results of multiple regression analysis, it was found that large companies with high profitability that have implemented social activities tend to be early adopters of the SDGs. The results of this analysis suggest that it is important to design measures that are appropriate based on the size of the focal company and that social contribution activities should be incentivized to encourage companies to act on the SDGs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Socio-Economic Systems for Local Communities)

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16 pages, 2542 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Subsidized LPG Scheme and the Shift to Cleaner Household Energy Use: Evidence from a Tribal Community of Eastern India

by Rajesh Kalli, Pradyot Ranjan Jena and Shunsuke Managi

Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 2450; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14042450 - 21 Feb 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3339

Abstract

Traditional fuels have both environmental and health impacts. The transition from traditional to clean cooking fuel requires significant public policy actions. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is one of the primary policies launched in India to eradicate energy poverty among households. Past studies have focused on the drivers that motivate rural households to adopt clean energy and identified the bottlenecks for adoption of clean energy in developing countries. PMUY’s success in terms of scale and pace is critical in the national drive to provide access to clean energy fuel to each citizen. The present study focuses on two objectives. First, we investigate the intensity of adoption and refill of LPG under the PMUY scheme. Second, we use household and other demographic characteristics to examine the factors that influence households’ decision on using LPG as a cooking fuel. Empirical results show that rapid growth has been witnessed in the provision of subsidized LPG connections. However, the annual average refill status stands at two LPG cylinders per beneficiary household indicating that the majority of the beneficiaries have failed to refill their LPG cylinders. This imbalance between rapid enrollment of LPG and limited refill among beneficiary households indicate the continued usage of traditional sources of energy for cooking. From the primary survey conducted in the rural tribal communities of Odisha, we observe that household income and education played a significant role in adoption of LPG and continued usage of LPG gas. Additionally, the logit and ordered probit models identify that membership in self-help groups, accessibility and awareness of LPG are the major adoption drivers. In conclusion, policy makers need to address the challenge of refill status among PMUY consumers. Further, educating households on health benefits through SHG and creating accessibility at village level can actively increase the usage of LPG. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Socio-Economic Systems for Local Communities)

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19 pages, 1328 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Business Incentive to Reduce Food Losses in Japan

by Jun Igeta and Hiroki Nakamura

Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 2266; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14042266 - 16 Feb 2022

Viewed by 3147

Abstract

Although market-based or new business solutions such as food sharing services are important to reduce food wastage, a limited amount of people use sharing economy services, such that real restaurant services are scarce in countries such as Japan. Moreover, while the perspectives of consumer and food wasting behavior in restaurants, doggy bags, and new sharing business applications are important, existing studies related to food loss have not focused on these issues all together in an analytic model. Therefore, this study proposes a new business incentive model to reduce food loss, and we further analyze the feasibility and potential of our proposal by extending the existing basic analytic model. The proposed service is to provide coupons or points in digital applications if customers finish their meal at a restaurant without wasting food; these coupons/points can be used to avail discounts on their future meals. We considered three models of intention to use incentives to reduce food loss and compared new business proposals with the other two incentive services. The results showed that the proposed services are less likely to be used by people who are interested in but do not experience using food sharing services. Nevertheless, the proposed new service has the potential to be used by younger people and people with household incomes ranging from 5 to 10 million yen, indicating that such services have the potential to create a new target group for food loss implementation and a business that encourages a strategy to reduce food loss. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Socio-Economic Systems for Local Communities)

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23 pages, 485 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Estimation of the Willingness to Pay for Air-Quality Improvement in Thailand

by Waranan Tantiwat, Christopher Gan and Wei Yang

Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 12313; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132112313 - 08 Nov 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3479

Abstract

Thailand has experienced severe air-quality problems for the past 10 years. Complicating this situation, the Thai government allocates an insufficient budget for the management of air pollution. Using the contingent valuation method, this paper estimates the willingness to pay for air-quality improvement in Thailand to reveal the benefits that people will gain if air-quality improves. The results show that the total benefits from air-quality improvement would be 18.8 billion baht in 2020. The Thai government can use these findings as a guideline to redistribute its budget to address air pollution more effectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Socio-Economic Systems for Local Communities)

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