𝗘𝗦𝗚, 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗜”

📢 Call for Papers

𝗘𝗦𝗚, 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗜”
Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity

📅 Call originally announced: 25 March 2026
📅 Submission deadline: 30 September 2026

About this Special Issue

How can ESG evolve from a compliance‑driven reporting requirement into a true engine of innovation and systemic transformation? This Special Issue explores that question in the context of rapid digital transformation and artificial intelligence. Across industries, emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning, digital twins, IoT, big data analytics, blockchain traceability, cloud platforms, and Industry 4.0/5.0 architectures are reshaping how organisations measure, manage, and act on ESG performance.

This issue brings together cutting‑edge research on how these technologies enable ESG to drive strategic decisions, operational efficiency, and sustainable value creation. It highlights the role of open innovation ecosystems, platform‑based business models, and organisational capabilities in translating ESG into tangible impact. Spanning firms, supply chains, and policy systems, contributions offer new insights into aligning profitability with environmental and societal goals in a digitally connected, sustainability‑driven economy.

The Special Issue positions ESG as a dynamic coordination mechanism embedded within digital innovation ecosystems, not just a static reporting outcome, and aims to bridge fragmented research streams on ESG, innovation, and sustainability transitions.

Scope & Key Themes

Submissions are invited on (but not limited to) the following areas:

• Digital ESG reporting and MRV systems – Digitally enabled Measurement, Reporting, and Verification for sustainability performance.

• AI and technologies for sustainability – How AI, digital twins, IoT, analytics, and blockchain reshape ESG decision‑making and governance.

• ESG‑driven innovation and business model transformation – Dynamic capabilities, digital transformation, and business‑model innovation for sustainability.

• Platform ecosystems, traceability, and supply chains – ESG traceability and transparency across value chains via digital platforms and data infrastructures.

• Open innovation and multi‑stakeholder sustainability transitions – Co‑creation across firms, financial institutions, technology providers, regulators, and civil society.

• ESG governance, policy, and sustainable finance – Green taxonomies, net‑zero instruments, ESG‑linked finance, and policy‑industry‑technology co‑evolution.

Guest Editors

• Chavis Ketkaew, Ph.D., Khon Kaen University, Thailand

• Phaninee Naruetharadhol, Ph.D., Khon Kaen University, Thailand

• Chanchai Phonthanukitithaworn, Ph.D., Mahidol University, Thailand

• Heungju Ahn, Ph.D., DGIST, Korea

• Giovanna Del Gaudio, Ph.D., University of Naples Federico II, Italy

Manuscript Details

• Journal: Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity (JOIn)

• Article type during submission: “VSI: Age of DT&AI”

• Submission platform: Editorial Manager® – https://www.editorialmanager.com/joitmc/default2.aspx

• Submission deadline: 30 September 2026

Submissions should move beyond descriptive ESG disclosure and focus on mechanisms linking ESG, innovation, digital transformation, and AI to sustainability transitions. Conceptual, empirical, and methodological papers are welcome, especially those with system‑level, multi‑stakeholder, or cross‑sectoral perspectives.

Why Publish in this Special Issue?

• Articles are grouped together on ScienceDirect, increasing visibility and discoverability.

• Special issue content is typically downloaded about twice as often in the first 24 months compared to regular‑issue articles.

• Articles attract roughly 20% more citations in the first 24 months than regular‑issue pieces.

• All submissions undergo double‑blind review by at least two independent experts to ensure quality, originality, and novelty.

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