The current global economy demands synergy between ecological responsiveness and proactive business models. To analyze these dynamics, the objective of this study is to simultaneously investigate the effects of green innovation practices concerning the sustainable development goals (SDG) and financial performance of firms. This study also advocates for the injection of green innovation reporting into sustainable reporting for greater disclosure. Data from sixty-seven companies from five continents and the top five blue chip firms for each country are collected through content analysis, with the generalized least squares (GLS) approach used to test a causal relationship hypothesis. The results indicate mixed findings, with green product innovation showing positive relationships with returns on equity (ROE) and returns on investments (ROI). At the same time, green process innovation shows negative relationships with returns on assets (ROA) but shows a positive impact on returns on investments (ROI) and firm SDGs. In contrast, green service innovation shows an insignificant relationship with financial performance and SDGs. On the other hand, non-operational green innovation variables and green marketing positively affect returns on assets and investment, showing significant negative impacts on returns on equity. However, green organizational innovation shows an insignificant relationship with firm financial performance and SDGs. In addition, this study also shows that the Australia/New Zealand region is the leader in green innovation reporting, followed by Europe, Asia, Africa, and lastly, North America.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs) has been established to alter our world by addressing the challenges faced by humanity in order to promote wellbeing, economic prosperity, and the protection of the environment. The SDGs provide a holistic and multi-dimensional approach to development compared to conventional development plans that focus on a limited range of dimensions. As a result, linkages between the SDGs may result in differing outcomes. This research is the first to investigate the direct relationship of environmental and social SDGs with firms’ financial performance and the moderating role of green innovation. Data from 67 companies from five continents (Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, North America, and Africa) and their top five blue-chip firms were collected through content analysis. Generalized least squares (GLS) were used to test for direct relationships. The results showed a positive correlation between environmental SDGs and the negative significance of social SDGs on firms’ financial performance. However, mixed findings regarding the moderation variable green innovation over SDGs and firms’ financial performance were found. The new findings extend the SDG literature and provide empirical evidence to practitioners and policymakers.

The introduction of sustainable development goals has made sustainability a top priority for most nations. This has raised the investment into the educational system for potential growth and for creating an innovation culture in any country; the role of institutional investors in the development of financing clean energy infrastructure, entrepreneurial development, poverty reduction, and driving corporate social responsibility and firm development has been found significant. An intensive literature search of Scopus and the web of science database was explored with different relevant sets of keywords “Institutional investors AND Education”, “Institutional investors” AND “Higher education”, which drew 29 final articles between 2010–2021. This scoping review draws a new open approach for creating alternative sustainable funding for the higher education system and investment opportunities for institutional investors with government intervention. This research becomes the first that shows the road map to the higher education system in creating alternative funding through the proposed Institutional Investor & Sustainable University Funding Governance Code, which will make the higher education system independent and ease the burden on the government, as well as create a huge market opportunity for both players. This research model will scope the collaborative approach towards sustainable development goal 4—Quality education.

Eco-innovation has gained considerable attention in academia as well as in industry due to its potential in mitigating environmental challenges and its positive correlation with firm performance. However, there are limited studies which have investigated the moderating relation of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001:2015 between eco-innovation and firm sustainability in their contribution to societal development. This research is supported by a resource-based theory which explores the core-competencies of firms and challenges the resources creating the competitive advantage of the firm without compromising on the social responsibility aspect of the firm. This study proposes a fishbone eco-innovation business model, which includes production (product, process, and technology) and non-production (organization and marketing) business activities mapped with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for societal development. This fishbone eco-innovation business model signals to the stakeholders about the organization’s innovation in their green implementation, which goes beyond mere compliance. The contribution of the fishbone eco-innovation business model to societal development will create a unique competitive edge and green goodwill amongst the external stakeholders, which will attract sustainably responsible investors for investment. This article draws propositions and develops a conceptual model for future empirical research on eco-innovation and societal development.