Title: Problems and solutions: the sustainable development goals in the age of green economy

Authors: João M. Lopes; José Castro Oliveira

Addresses: Miguel Torga Institute of Higher Education & NECE-UBI – Research Unit in Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Estrada do Sineiro, s/n, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal ' Instituto Superior Politécnico Gaya, Av. dos Descobrimentos 333, 4400-103 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal

Abstract: This paper aims to understand the green economy's role in sustainable business strategies. Interviews were conducted with managers in Portuguese companies, which take sustainable development goals into account in their business strategies. The results suggest that sustainable development and business strategies are not always adopted integrally top-down within a company. It was also noted that political changes and decisions imposed by the government positively affect the sustainable business strategies of companies in the renewable energy sector but not in the construction sector. Thus, policymakers should strengthen general awareness of this matter by reinforcing existing knowledge of or introducing the topic of the problems and solutions inherent in the concept of a green economy in compulsory education. Companies could form R&D partnerships with higher education institutions to innovate in their sector of activity. Companies could further explore the concept of industrial symbiosis, developing new products and exploring new markets.

Keywords: green economy; sustainable development goals; green business; sustainable business strategies; competitive advantage.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2023.133749

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2023 Vol.17 No.4, pp.410 - 424

Accepted: 03 Mar 2022
Published online: 03 Oct 2023 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article