From pollution to prosperity:Quantifying the impact of cleaner production on triple-bottom-line sustainability in Algerian industrial start-ups

Authors

Article ID: 670
160 Views

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18686/cest670

Keywords:

cleaner production quantification , triple-bottom-line sustainability , renewable resources , clean technology diffusion , zero pollution initiatives , industrial start-up ecosystem , PLS-SEM methodology , developing economies

Abstract

This empirical study examines the causal link between cleaner production strategies and comprehensive sustainability outcomes in Algerian industrial start-ups, thereby addressing a notable research gap in emerging economies. These enterprises operate under intensifying global sustainability pressures, requiring them to integrate environmentally responsible practices without compromising economic viability. Using Confirmatory Composite Analysis (CCA) with SMART-PLS on data from 300 innovative Algerian start-ups, the research evaluates the differentiated impact of three cleaner production dimensions: renewable resource utilization, clean technology adoption, and zero-pollution initiatives. The results reveal a hierarchical influence pattern: clean technology exerts the strongest effect on sustainability (50.2%), followed by renewable resources (10.3%) and zero-pollution practices (8.2%), highlighting a strategic reliance on technological solutions as cost-effective sustainability drivers under resource constraints. The study offers a validated measurement model for assessing cleaner production implementation in developing economies and delivers actionable implications, indicating that technology-led approaches provide the most efficient short-term pathway to sustainability improvement. It recommends that industrial start-ups prioritize investment in clean technology infrastructure while simultaneously expanding renewable resource use and pollution reduction efforts. Furthermore, it advocates structured collaboration among start-ups, government agencies, and universities to design targeted training on cleaner production methodologies. Future research directions include longitudinal assessment of financial performance, exploration of institutional enablers and barriers to green practice adoption, and cross-cultural comparative studies to situate these findings within global sustainability discourses, particularly in support of SDG 9, SDG 12, and SDG 13 under the 2030 Agenda.

Downloads

Published

2026-05-09

How to Cite

Bengana, I., Mili, K., Sabri, M., & Rahma, Z. (2026). From pollution to prosperity:Quantifying the impact of cleaner production on triple-bottom-line sustainability in Algerian industrial start-ups. Clean Energy Science and Technology, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.18686/cest670

References

1. Ingaldi M. Sustainability as an element of environmental management in companies. Production Engineering Archives. 2015; 7/2: 29–32. doi: 10.30657/pea.2015.07.07 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30657/pea.2015.07.07

2. Zhivkova S. Sustainability and the reasons for its adoption in the companies. Proceedings of CBU in Economics and Business. 2022; 3: 75–80. doi: 10.12955/peb.v3.296 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12955/peb.v3.296

3. Singh A. Sustainability Practices in Business Operations. International Journal for Research Publication and Seminar. 2024; 15(3): 18–34. doi: 10.36676/jrps.v15.i3.1424 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36676/jrps.v15.i3.1424

4. Giannetti BF, Agostinho F, Eras JJC, et al. Cleaner production for achieving the sustainable development goals. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2020; 271: 122127. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122127 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122127

5. Cotrim SL, Filho DAM, Leal GCL, et al. Implementation of cleaner production along with quality management tools. International Journal of Technology Management & Sustainable Development. 2018; 17(1): 65–85. doi: 10.1386/tmsd.17.1.65_1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/tmsd.17.1.65_1

6. Severo EA, De Guimarães JCF, Henri Dorion EC. Cleaner production, social responsibility and eco-innovation: Generations’ perception for a sustainable future. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018; 186: 91–103. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.129 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.129

7. Santos VHM, Campos TLR, Espuny M, et al. Identification of the main topics about Cleaner Production: A guide to directing sustainable industrial practices in the next decade. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management; 5 April 2021; Sao Paulo, Brazil. pp. 432–443. doi: 10.46254/SA02.20210237 DOI: https://doi.org/10.46254/SA02.20210237

8. Prigozhin V, Zheng W, Lee F. Implementing Cleaner Production Technologies: General Aspects. E3S Web of Conferences. 2023; 392: 01006. doi: 10.1051/e3sconf/202339201006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202339201006

9. Henseler J, Hubona G, Ray PA. Using PLS path modeling in new technology research: updated guidelines. Industrial Management & Data Systems. 2016; 116(1): 2–20. doi: 10.1108/IMDS-09-2015-0382 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-09-2015-0382

10. Hair JF, Hult GTM, Ringle CM, et al. A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), 3rd ed. SAGE Publications; 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80519-7

11. Purvis B, Mao Y, Robinson D. Three pillars of sustainability: In search of conceptual origins. Sustainability Science. 2019; 14(3): 681–695. doi: 10.1007/s11625-018-0627-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-018-0627-5

12. Brand KW. Sustainable Development. In: International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences. Elsevier; 2015. pp. 812–816. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.91094-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.91094-8

13. Turcea V, Ion R. How Important are the Sustainable Development Goals? A Bibliometric and Modern Data Analysis. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Economics and Social Sciences. Sciendo; 2020. pp. 624–635. doi: 10.2478/9788395815072-063 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/9788395815072-063

14. Rosen MA. Advances in Sustainable Development Research. European Journal of Sustainable Development Research. 2019; 3(2). doi: 10.29333/ejosdr/5730 DOI: https://doi.org/10.29333/ejosdr/5730

15. Mensah J. Sustainable development: Meaning, history, principles, pillars, and implications for human action: Literature review. Cogent Social Sciences. 2019; 5(1): 1653531. doi: 10.1080/23311886.2019.1653531 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2019.1653531

16. Habib Bahedh D. Measuring the Environmental Dimension of Sustainable Development According to the Gri Standards: A Proposed Model. International Journal of Humanities and Educational Research. 2024; 6(5). doi: 10.47832/2757-5403.28.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47832/2757-5403.28.1

17. Ginting P. Sustainable Growth and Development. In: Proceedings of the 23rd Asian Forum of Business Education (AFBE 2019); 12–13 December 2019; Bali, Indonesia. doi: 10.2991/aebmr.k.200606.082 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2991/aebmr.k.200606.082

18. Jeronen E. Economic Sustainability. In: Encyclopedia of Sustainable Management. Springer International Publishing; 2023. pp. 1257–1263. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-25984-5_197 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25984-5_197

19. Ozili PK. Sustainability and Sustainable Development Research around the World. Managing Global Transitions. 2022; 20(3). doi: 10.26493/1854-6935.20.259-293 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26493/1854-6935.20.259-293

20. Baum R. Sustainable Development—A Modern Understanding of the Concept. Annals of the Polish Association of Agricultural and Agribusiness Economists. 2021; XXIII(2): 9–29. doi: 10.5604/01.3001.0015.0026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0015.0026

21. Elsheikh T, Almaqtari FA, Farhan NHS, et al. Governance and sustainability: The role of environmental disclosures and board characteristics in environmental, social, and governance reporting. Journal of Governance and Regulation. 2024; 13(3): 162. doi: 10.22495/jgrv13i3art14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22495/jgrv13i3art14

22. Kjaerheim G. Cleaner production and sustainability. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2005; 13(4): 329–339. doi: 10.1016/S0959-6526(03)00119-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0959-6526(03)00119-7

23. Oliveira Neto GCD, Tucci HNP, Correia JMF, et al. Assessing the implementation of Cleaner Production and company sizes: Survey in textile companies. Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics. 2020; 15: 1558925020915585. doi: 10.1177/1558925020915585 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1558925020915585

24. Basappaji KM, Nagesha N. Assessment of Cleaner Production Level in Agro based Industries—A Fuzzy Logic Approach. Energy Procedia. 2014; 54: 127–134. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.07.255 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2014.07.255

25. García-Ávila F, Cabello-Torres R, Iglesias-Abad S, et al. Cleaner production and drinking water: Perspectives from a scientometric and systematic analysis for a sustainable performance. South African Journal of Chemical Engineering. 2023; 45: 136–148. doi: 10.1016/j.sajce.2023.05.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajce.2023.05.003

26. Neha, Joon R. Renewable Energy Sources: A Review. Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 2021; 1979(1): 012023. doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/1979/1/012023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1979/1/012023

27. Algeria Press Service. Available online: https://www.aps.dz/en/ (accessed on 11 October 2024).

28. Sokolovic S, Zavargo Z, Sokolovic D. Sustainable development, clean technology and knowledge from industry. Thermal Science. 2012; 16: 131–139. doi: 10.2298/TSCI120130067S DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/TSCI120130067S

29. Garba N, Abdulrahman B. Renewable Energy Sources, Sustainability and Environmental Protection: A Review. European Journal of Theoretical and Applied Sciences. 2024; 2(2): 449–462. doi: 10.59324/ejtas.2024.2(2).39 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59324/ejtas.2024.2(2).39

30. Petraru M, Gavrilescu M. Pollution prevention, a key to economic and environmental sustainability. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal. 2010; 9(4): 597–614. doi: 10.30638/eemj.2010.083 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30638/eemj.2010.083