The integration of sustainable practices in tourism is increasingly critical, given the sector’s substantial environmental and social impacts. Although the need for innovation management to promote sustainable tourism is widely recognized, various barriers hinder its effective implementation. This study employs the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methodology to systematically examine these barriers, identifying their interconnections and assessing their broader implications. The findings indicate that a short-term focus and financial constraints are the primary effect barriers to implementing innovation management in sustainable tourism. Their prominence as endpoints in the flow of impact within the model of interconnected barriers developed in this study underscores the need to further address the deeper, cause-related barriers that propagate these effects, such as inadequate leadership support, resistance to change, poor stakeholder communication and collaboration, insufficient knowledge and skills, and restrictive regulatory policies. Additionally, industry-specific challenges like a fragmented industry structure and fluctuating market conditions exacerbate these difficulties. Therefore, a comprehensive, holistic approach is essential for transitioning the tourism sector towards sustainable practices through innovation management and overcoming inherent financial and strategic barriers. This study advocates adopting the recently published Management System Standard ISO 56001:2024 as a structured innovation management framework capable of systematically and holistically mitigating these barriers. By analyzing the cause-and-effect relationships among the identified barriers, this study ultimately provides valuable insights that aid stakeholders—including policymakers, business leaders, and community representatives—in devising more effective, inclusive, and forward-thinking approaches to innovation in sustainable tourism. This is crucial for fostering a tourism sector that is not only economically beneficial but also environmentally responsible and socially equitable.

The significance of knowledge management in the tourism accommodation sector is increasingly vital due to rapid market changes and intense competition. Although the value of identifying and implementing critical success factors (CSFs) for knowledge management is widely recognized in the sector, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding and practical application of these factors. This study employs the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) methodology to systematically identify and analyze the interrelationships among these CSFs. The findings reveal a complex web of dependencies within this network. Specifically, leadership commitment and support is identified as the most influential CSF, acting as a fundamental element that enables the successful adoption and integration of knowledge management initiatives. Additionally, strategic alignment and a supportive organizational culture are crucial, working synergistically to ensure that knowledge management initiatives are aligned with overarching organizational goals and create an environment that encourages change and collaboration. Furthermore, the study highlights a mutually reinforcing relationship between knowledge processes, governance, and employee training. This relationship suggests that strong governance structures and clearly defined knowledge processes facilitate and improve the effectiveness of employee training programs while also creating a continuous improvement cycle where improved training further refines governance and knowledge processes. Moreover, the study highlights the integration of the ISO 30401:2018 standard as a systematic framework to support these CSFs, providing a structured approach to improve knowledge management systems. By mapping the cause-and-effect relationships among the identified CSFs, this research offers practical insights for industry professionals to effectively prioritize and address these factors.

The rising energy demands of data centers combined with increasing sustainability requirements require the integration of green energy solutions. This study identifies and analyzes the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) that affect the effective adoption of green energy in data centers, addressing both technical and organizational challenges. Through a systematic literature review and expert validation, eleven key CSFs were identified, encompassing aspects such as energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, carbon neutrality strategies, regulatory compliance, and investment strategies. This study employs the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methodology to explore the interdependencies among these factors, mapping causal relationships within the CSF network. The findings indicate that governance and organizational culture, along with investment strategy, are the most influential CSFs, driving the effectiveness of energy transition efforts. Carbon neutrality strategies serve as a crucial mediating factor, linking governance and financial commitment to operational sustainability outcomes. Additionally, renewable energy integration and regulatory compliance act as structural mediators, ensuring that governance-led sustainability initiatives result in practical, measurable impacts. These insights provide a strategic roadmap for data center operators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to prioritize interventions that promote a resilient and sustainable energy transition. By clarifying the cause-and-effect dynamics within the green energy adoption framework, this study contributes to the development of more effective policies and investment strategies aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of data centers and enhancing their long-term sustainability.

In response to growing pressures for sustainability in tourism, this paper examines the techno-economic evaluation of green innovations in small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMEs). Focusing on a single case study of a hotel in Greece, the research investigates how and why specific sustainability interventions were implemented and assesses their operational and economic impacts. The study adopts an interpretivist approach, combining process tracing with thematic analysis. The analysis is guided by innovation diffusion theory, supported by organizational learning perspectives, to explain the stepwise adoption of sustainability practices and the internal adaptation processes that enabled them. The techno-economic evaluation draws on quantitative indicators and qualitative assessments of perceived benefits and implementation challenges, offering a broader view of value beyond purely financial metrics. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, on-site observations, and internal documentation. The findings reveal a gradual, non-linear path to innovation, shaped by adoption dynamics and organizational learning, reinforced by leadership commitment, contextual adaptation, supply chain decisions, and external incentives. Key interventions, including solar energy adoption, composting, and the formation of zero-waste partnerships, resulted in measurable reductions in energy use and landfill waste, along with improvements in guest satisfaction, operational efficiency, and local collaboration. Although it is subject to limitations typical of single-case designs, the study demonstrates how even modest sustainability efforts, when integrated into daily operations, can generate multiple types of outcomes (economic, environmental, and operational). The paper offers practical implications for tourism SMEs and policymakers and formulates propositions for future testing on sustainable innovation in the tourism sector.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the combined application of 5S and Kaizen methodologies in a pharmaceutical R&D laboratory to determine their impact on enhancing quality improvement processes and operational efficiency. Methodology/Approach: The research adopted a single case study approach in a Greek pharmaceutical R&D laboratory. Quantitative data were gathered on deviations in analysis and experiment conduction times, while qualitative insights were derived from semi-structured interviews conducted with laboratory personnel before and after implementing the methodologies. Findings: The study revealed significant improvements in laboratory operations following the implementation of 5S and Kaizen. Quantitatively, there was a notable reduction in analytical errors and experiment conduction times. Qualitatively, enhancements were observed in the workspace's organisation, equipment use efficiency, and employee engagement. Research Limitation/Implication: Focusing on a single laboratory may not fully represent the diverse environments of other pharmaceutical R&D settings. Originality/Value of paper: This paper contributes to the limited literature on using 5S and Kaizen in pharmaceutical R&D laboratories. It demonstrates the practical benefits of these methodologies in a highly regulated environment and provides a structured approach for their implementation.

This study investigates the impact of Information Technology and employee engagement on the implementation of Knowledge Management within the Research and Development processes of pharmaceutical companies. Based on Dynamic Capabilities Theory, this research examines the interaction between these factors in facilitating Knowledge Management practices. The findings indicate that while both Information Technology and employee engagement significantly enhance Knowledge Management implementation, the latter has a more pronounced effect. Engaged employees are crucial for identifying opportunities and driving strategic initiatives, whereas Information Technology supports information processing and decision making. This study highlights the complex interaction between technology and human creativity, demonstrating that the future of Knowledge Management in Research and Development relies not only on advanced systems but also on the active and committed individuals who utilize them.