Drivers and Barriers for Sustainable Design Adoption in Creative Economy Enterprises: A Corporate Strategy Perspective

Xiaoyang Yang and Liwei Zhang ()
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Xiaoyang Yang: Department of Fine Arts and Design, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Liwei Zhang: Department of Fine Arts and Design, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-28

Abstract: Incorporating sustainable design practices into creative economy businesses is increasingly vital amidst growing global environmental concerns and shifting market demands. This research examines the factors that promote or hinder the adoption of sustainable design from a strategic business perspective. Utilizing data from a detailed survey, it adopts a multi-faceted approach, incorporating descriptive analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, structural equation modeling (SEM), cluster analysis, and machine learning methods. Findings indicate that leadership vision, innovative capacity, and customer engagement are primary motivators, whereas internal inefficiencies and limited resources present significant obstacles. Cluster analysis reveals three strategic profiles: Innovation-Driven, Strategically-Aligned, and Barrier-Dominated, offering meaningful insights for designing targeted strategies. The study delivers a validated framework that enhances sustainability theory and supports strategic decision-making within the creative sector.

Keywords: sustainable design; creative economy; corporate strategy; sustainability adoption; drivers and barriers; SEM; factor analysis; cluster analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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