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

Author

Listed:
  • 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.
    2. Vivek Kumar Singh & Prashasti Singh & Mousumi Karmakar & Jacqueline Leta & Philipp Mayr, 2021. "The journal coverage of Web of Science, Scopus and Dimensions: A comparative analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(6), pages 5113-5142, June.
    3. Benjamin Gidron & Kfir Bar & Maya Finger Keren & Dalit Gafni & Yaari Hodara & Irina Krasnopolskaya & Alon Mannor, 2023. "The Impact Tech Startup: Initial Findings on a New, SDG-Focused Organizational Category," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-26, August.
    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.
    5. Ruiqi Song & Lingduan Xiang, 2023. "Driving New Venture Sustainability: A Study Based on Configuration Theory and Resource Orchestration Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-18, May.
    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. Jihee Jung & Haengjin Ko & Young Jun Kim, 2025. "How Do Startups Drive Innovations Towards Sustainability?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-24, February.
    3. Munyaradzi Duve & Benjamin Marx, 2025. "Exploring Sustainability in Startups: A Systematic PRISMA Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-35, July.
    4. Gabriele Zangara & Vincenzo Corvello & Luigino Filice, 2026. "Social Sustainability in Startups: Implementation Pathways and Their Effects on Performance," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(1), pages 1528-1544, January.
    5. Silviu Florin Rata & Rozalia Nistor & Alexandru Capatina & Giuseppe Empoli & Violeta Maria Isai & Iuliana Oana Mihai, 2024. "Fueling the Growth Engines: A Cross-Country Study on Business Accelerators’ Role in Startup Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-21, December.

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