En Innovation Research in Emerging Markets: A New Decade of Purpose and Direction for the International Journal of Innovation

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5585/2025.29940

Keywords:

emerging markets, inclusive innovation, innovation ecosystems, digital transformation, sustainable development

Abstract

This editorial reaffirms the International Journal of Innovation's commitment to advancing innovation research in emerging markets, highlighting the need for contextualized theories that acknowledge the unique characteristics of these environments, including institutional voids, resource constraints, and cultural diversity. The editorial emphasizes three critical dimensions: inclusive innovation that benefits marginalized populations; sustainability as an imperative rather than a luxury; and the role of public policy in directing innovation toward socially desirable outcomes. The IJI seeks research that combines methodological rigor, theoretical depth, and practical contribution, valuing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. This editorial invites scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to contribute to building knowledge on innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and sustainable development, strengthening a multilingual global community committed to transformative research that envisions and builds more equitable and sustainable futures.

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Author Biographies

Isabel Cristina Scafuto, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Graduate Program in Project Management and Graduate Program in Administration São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Doctorate in Administration from Nove de Julho University (2017). Master's degree in Language Sciences from the University of Southern Santa Catarina (2011). Specialist in Event Management and Planning from the University of Vale do Itajaí (2007). Bachelor's degree in Tourism - Tourism Management from the University of Southern Santa Catarina (2005). Currently, she is a Professor and Researcher in the Graduate Program in Project Management (PPGP) at Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE). She leads the Strategy and Projects Research Line and Group within the PPGP. She is also a Co-editor of the IJI (International Journal of Innovation). She is part of the organizing committee of SINGEP (International Symposium on Project Management, Innovation and Sustainability). She is also a consultant in teaching and learning in executive education and organizes courses and lectures at Add Conhecimento, where she is also a founder. She is a co-founder and partner of Universo Eco (Sustainable Fashion and Beauty Marketplace). She has training in Coaching from ICI and SBPNL. She participated as an ad hoc consultant in the preparatory committee for the 2017-2020 Quadrennial Evaluation of the areas of Public and Business Administration, Accounting Sciences, and Tourism, analyzing technical/technological production (PTT). She was the Academic Coordinator of the MBA in Hospital Administration and Health Management at the Faculty of the Oswaldo Cruz German Hospital - HAOC. She was also the Academic Coordinator of HSM Educação, responsible for postgraduate courses (MBA and EDP). Coordinator of the MBA in Projects; MBA in Business Management and MBA in Marketing. She was part of the team responsible for the events sector of the North Campus of the University of Southern Santa Catarina. She also teaches postgraduate courses. She taught courses in Tourism and Administration and Business at UNISUL and UNINOVE. Her research focuses on the following themes: Teaching and Learning; Executive Education; MBA; Organizational Learning; Strategic Management; Project Management; Innovation; Hospitality and Sustainability.

Vânia Maria Jorge Nassif, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Graduate Program in Project Management and Graduate Program in Administration São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Full Professor in the Postgraduate Program in Administration (Master's and Doctorate) at Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE/SP), where she works as a professor, researcher, and leader of the Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Business (IEN) research line. She is a CNPq Research Productivity Fellow (PQ2) and Scientific Editor of the International Journal of Innovation (IJI). A psychologist from the Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FFCLRP/USP), she holds a Master's degree in Education from the University of Ribeirão Preto and a Doctorate in Administration from Mackenzie Presbyterian University. She completed a Post-Doctorate in Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Competencies at the São Paulo School of Administration of the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (EASP/FGV) and obtained the title of Associate Professor in the area of ​​Human Resources from the Faculty of Economics, Administration and Accounting of Ribeirão Preto, USP (FEARP/USP). Visiting Researcher at Bradley University, Illinois, United States. She is a member of the Ethics Committee and the ITE (Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship) Division Committee of ANPAD, as well as a member of the Advisory Board of the National Association of Studies in Entrepreneurship and Small Businesses (ANEGEPE). She coordinates the Entrepreneurship theme at SEMEAD and leads the research line in Women's Entrepreneurship at ENANPAD, SINGEP, and EMPRAD. She has led research projects funded by FAPESP and acts as an advisor for projects of the main Brazilian funding agencies: FAPESP, CAPES, and CNPq. At PPGA/UNINOVE, she teaches the subjects of Qualitative Research Method (Master's and Doctorate) and Entrepreneur and their Emotions. She is an ad-hoc reviewer for 30 scientific journals and national and international conferences, and is the author of extensive academic work including scientific articles, books, book chapters, e-books, and the organization of collective works. Her research focuses on the Entrepreneurship of Minoritized Groups, with particular emphasis on female entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, and Black women. She develops studies on entrepreneurial threats and failures, investigating psychological, emotional, affective, and cognitive aspects of entrepreneurial behavior, as well as issues related to resilience in the business context.

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Published

02.12.2025

How to Cite

Scafuto, I. C., & Nassif, V. M. J. (2025). En Innovation Research in Emerging Markets: A New Decade of Purpose and Direction for the International Journal of Innovation. International Journal of Innovation, 13(3), e29940. https://doi.org/10.5585/2025.29940

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2025): Sept./Dec.

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Editorial comment

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Copyright (c) 2025 Isabel Cristina Scafuto, Vânia Maria Jorge Nassif

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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