Waves of innovation: The role of sustainability in driving impact in the blue economy – A PLS-SEM approach

IF 3.7 2区社会学 Q2 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Marine Policy Pub Date : 2025-09-13 DOI:10.1016/j.marpol.2025.106902

Jennifer Nicole Elston , Hugo Emanuel dos Reis Sales da Cruz Pinto , Carla Filipa Sequeira Valente Nogueira

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The Blue Economy, with its emphasis on ocean-based industries, is critical for achieving sustainable development. This study investigates the intricate relationship between sustainability, innovation, and their economic, environmental, and social impacts within Portugal’s Blue Economy. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the hypothesized relationships between sustainability, innovation, and triple bottom line (TBL) outcomes based on survey data from firms operating in the sector. The findings confirm that innovation acts as both a direct outcome of sustainability efforts and a mechanism for mediating its impacts on economic and environmental performance. However, no significant direct or mediating effects were observed for social outcomes, highlighting a persistent gap in this dimension that requires further research. The study contributes to both theory and practice by highlighting the strategic integration of sustainability into organizational innovation processes and its role in enhancing multidimensional performance. By identifying critical pathways and barriers, this study offers valuable guidance for policymakers and industry leaders striving to enhance the long-term sustainability of the Blue Economy.

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创新浪潮：可持续发展在推动蓝色经济影响中的作用- PLS-SEM方法

蓝色经济强调以海洋为基础的工业，对实现可持续发展至关重要。本研究探讨了葡萄牙蓝色经济中可持续性、创新及其经济、环境和社会影响之间的复杂关系。利用偏最小二乘结构方程模型（PLS-SEM）对可持续性、创新和三重底线（TBL）结果之间的假设关系进行了检验，该模型基于该行业企业的调查数据。研究结果证实，创新既是可持续发展努力的直接结果，也是调节其对经济和环境绩效影响的机制。然而，没有观察到显著的直接或中介效应对社会结果，突出了这一维度的持续差距，需要进一步研究。本研究强调了可持续发展在组织创新过程中的战略整合及其在提高多维绩效中的作用，对理论和实践都有重要贡献。通过确定关键途径和障碍，本研究为努力提高蓝色经济的长期可持续性的政策制定者和行业领导者提供了有价值的指导。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Marine Policy Multiple-

CiteScore

7.60

自引率

13.20%

发文量

428

期刊介绍： Marine Policy is the leading journal of ocean policy studies. It offers researchers, analysts and policy makers a unique combination of analyses in the principal social science disciplines relevant to the formulation of marine policy. Major articles are contributed by specialists in marine affairs, including marine economists and marine resource managers, political scientists, marine scientists, international lawyers, geographers and anthropologists. Drawing on their expertise and research, the journal covers: international, regional and national marine policies; institutional arrangements for the management and regulation of marine activities, including fisheries and shipping; conflict resolution; marine pollution and environment; conservation and use of marine resources. Regular features of Marine Policy include research reports, conference reports and reports on current developments to keep readers up-to-date with the latest developments and research in ocean affairs.