.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
Return
Reducing sustainable development disparities through innovation-enhanced governance and circularity
.png){kind=icon}
OA
AI
G
G
A
T
DOI：10.1016/j.jik.2026.101119.png)
.png){kind=icon}
Original request for help.png){kind=icon}
Share.png){kind=icon}
Save
Abstract
En 中文
Despite intense sustainability discussions, a pressing need remains for robust empirical evidence on the mechanisms that foster sustainable development, particularly as countries strive to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development objectives. This study addresses a relevant research gap by unveiling key drivers to effectively model the 27 EU countries’ pathway to sustainable development. Using a comprehensive approach, this research examines how innovation-enhanced governance systems and the circular economy jointly support achieving the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals in the EU. The methodology relied on a panel dataset covering the EU-27 countries from 2018 to 2023, sequentially employing principal component analysis and structural equation modeling. The findings indicate that stimulating human resources, creating attractive research systems, and boosting corporate investments—especially in information technology and innovation—have a significant structural influence on governance systems and circular economy dimensions. Moreover, robust multi-level governance systems mediate innovation’s impact on the circular economy. Both circular economy and governance dimensions support the achievement of sustainable development. The study offers favorable implications for EU policymakers, managers, and researchers, identifying key levers to enhance the interplay among innovation, governance, and the circular economy, and outlining the need for urgent strategic action.
Keywords:
Innovation
Governance
Circular economy
Sustainable development
SDGs
I28
O30
Q56
Journal
J
IF:
15.5
Papers:
183
Citations:
0
Organization
Cited Papers