Smart Technologies in Sustainable Business

Smart technologies including Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and big data analytics are transforming how businesses address sustainability challenges. As industries face increasing pressure to adopt environmentally responsible practices, these digital innovations enable optimization of resource management, waste reduction, and operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. Blockchain platforms offer particular potential through decentralized, transparent operations that build trust and provide immutable records of sustainable practices. Traditional industries such as tourism, manufacturing, and supply chain management are increasingly exploring smart technologies to address global challenges including climate change and resource depletion, yet significant gaps remain between technological potential and practical implementation in business contexts.

This Research Topic examines how smart technologies drive sustainable business practices, with particular focus on stakeholder perceptions and adoption patterns in traditional industries. We address the critical gap between technological capabilities and practical implementation of sustainability-focused digital solutions. Many organizations struggle with technology adoption barriers, uncertain return on investment, and integration challenges when implementing smart technologies for sustainability purposes.

We investigate technology acceptance frameworks, willingness to pay for sustainable smart technologies, and economic impact assessment methodologies. Special emphasis is placed on blockchain platform adoption in Mediterranean markets and traditional sectors like tourism. By bringing together empirical research, case studies, and theoretical frameworks, this collection provides comprehensive insights into implementation challenges, success factors, and best practices for sustainable digital transformation.

This Research Topic welcomes multidisciplinary contributions addressing (but not limited to):
• Blockchain platform adoption and stakeholder perceptions in traditional sectors
• Smart technology implementation and business impact assessment
• Economic benefits analysis and ROI measurement frameworks for sustainable technologies
• Sustainable business model innovation through digital transformation
• Circular economy implementation via smart technologies
• Supply chain transparency and traceability solutions
• Regional adoption dynamics, particularly in Mediterranean and European markets
• SME implementation challenges and success strategies
• Technology acceptance and willingness to pay studies
• Future perspectives and emerging applications in sustainability contexts

We especially welcome submissions combining theoretical rigor with practical relevance, including empirical studies, case studies documenting real-world implementations, technical solutions, systematic reviews, and policy analyses. Both quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches are encouraged.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Smart Technologies, sustainability, blockchain, digital transformation, Mediterranean markets

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.