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Competitive Advantages of Sustainable Startups: Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Directions

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  • Adriano Martins de Souza

    (Sustainable Production Systems Laboratory (LESP), Postgraduate Program of Production Engineering (PPGEP), Federal University of Technology—Parana (UTFPR), R. Doutor Washington Subtil Chueire 330—Jardim Carvalho, Ponta Grossa 84017-220, Parana, Brazil)

  • Fabio Neves Puglieri

    (Sustainable Production Systems Laboratory (LESP), Postgraduate Program of Production Engineering (PPGEP), Federal University of Technology—Parana (UTFPR), R. Doutor Washington Subtil Chueire 330—Jardim Carvalho, Ponta Grossa 84017-220, Parana, Brazil)

  • Antonio Carlos de Francisco

    (Sustainable Production Systems Laboratory (LESP), Postgraduate Program of Production Engineering (PPGEP), Federal University of Technology—Parana (UTFPR), R. Doutor Washington Subtil Chueire 330—Jardim Carvalho, Ponta Grossa 84017-220, Parana, Brazil)

Abstract

Growing awareness of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues drives a significant transformation in the global business environment, making sustainability an urgent necessity and a source of competitive advantage. However, despite advances in research, there are still significant gaps in how these practices can confer competitive advantages to startups. We seek to fill this gap by conducting a systematic literature review on the competitive advantages of sustainable startups. We used the PRISMA 2020 protocol to conduct a comprehensive search in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, which led to the inclusion of 44 articles in the final review. The results indicate that sustainable startups align economic and environmental benefits, promote continuous innovation, attract investment, mitigate regulatory risks, and adapt quickly to market changes. The analysis reveals that adopting advanced technologies and circularity strategies is critical to operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. In addition, this study has mapped gaps in the literature, identifying key areas for future research into the competitive advantages of sustainable startups.

Suggested Citation

  • Adriano Martins de Souza & Fabio Neves Puglieri & Antonio Carlos de Francisco, 2024. "Competitive Advantages of Sustainable Startups: Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Directions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-24, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:17:p:7665-:d:1470793
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Evaldo Costa & Margarida Fontes & Nuno Bento, 2023. "Transformative Business Models for Decarbonization: Insights from Prize-Winning Start-Ups at the Web Summit," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-23, September.
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    4. Andressa Kelly da Silva Nunes & Sandra Naomi Morioka & Ivan Bolis, 2022. "Challenges of business models for sustainability in startups," RAUSP Management Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 57(4), pages 382-400, October.
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    6. Riccardo Gianluigi Serio & Maria Michela Dickson & Diego Giuliani & Giuseppe Espa, 2020. "Green production as a factor of survival for innovative startups. Evidence from Italy," Papers 2005.12102, arXiv.org.
    7. Ferran Giones & Christina Ungerer & Guido Baltes, 2020. "Balancing financial, social and environmental values: can new ventures make an impact without sacrificing profits?," International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 12(1), pages 39-57.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiaopeng Ding & Trairong Swatdikun & Xiaoque Chen & Nomahaza Mahadi, 2025. "Exploring the Role of Corporate Financial Strategy on Sustainability Performance: The Intervention of Corporate Culture of Automobile Companies in Guangxi, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-24, September.
    2. Munyaradzi Duve & Benjamin Marx, 2025. "Exploring Sustainability in Startups: A Systematic PRISMA Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-35, July.
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