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Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to present an innovative sandbox platform that implements a decision support system (DSS) to assess the sustainable development goals (SDGs) addressed at the municipal level. It intends to determine the relative importance of each SDG in municipalities and explore the synergies that can be discovered among them. Design/methodology/approach: Participatory action research is used to develop a DSS and an algorithm designated as discrete heavy fuzzy was also developed, which extends the Apriori algorithm to include discrete quantitative assessments of the level of SDG compliance by each project. A scenario consisting of three municipalities in Portugal (i.e. Porto, Loulé and Castelo de Vide) was chosen to demonstrate the implementation of the sandbox platform and to interpret the observed results. Findings: The results reveal significant differences in the typology of SDGs addressed by each municipality. It was found that municipal sustainable projects are strongly influenced by the contextual factors of each municipality. Porto has projects that address the first five SDGs. Loulé appears projects that promote innovation, the fight against climate change and the development of sustainable cities. Castelo de Vida has initiatives related to innovation and infrastructure and decent work and economic growth. Research limitations/implications: This study provides knowledge about the relative importance of the SDGs in Portuguese municipalities and explores the synergies among them. The proposed sandbox platform fills the gaps of the ODSlocal Webtool by proposing a dynamic and interactive approach for the exploration of quantitative indicators regarding the implementation status of the SDGs established in the 2030 Agenda. Originality/value: This study provides knowledge about the relative importance of the SDGs and the various synergies that exist between them considering the Portuguese municipalities. The sandbox platform presented and developed within this study allows filling the gaps of the ODSlocal Webtool that gathers essentially qualitative information about each project and offers a dynamic and interactive exploration with quantitative indicators of the implementation status of the SDGs established in the 2030 Agenda.

Abstract
The entrepreneurial performance of new ventures operating within the sustainable open innovation paradigm remains underexplored, particularly in terms of how specific sustainability-oriented practices translate into measurable performance outcomes. Prior research has largely examined sustainability, entrepreneurship, and open innovation in isolation, offering limited empirical evidence on their combined effects at the early venture stage. To address this gap, this study analyzes panel data from 407 new ventures incubated in science and technology parks, employing regression-based panel data analysis to examine the relationships between sustainable practices, open innovation engagement, and entrepreneurial performance. The findings suggest that new ventures widely adopt sustainable materials and energy as key strategies, which significantly influence entrepreneurial performance. In contrast, support from local communities does not have a statistically significant impact. Among the sociodemographic factors tested, only the number of years participating in open innovation networks shows a significant effect on entrepreneurial performance. Theoretically, this study advances sustainable open innovation literature by empirically integrating sustainability practices into entrepreneurship performance models. From a managerial perspective, the findings offer actionable insights for entrepreneurs and incubator managers, highlighting which sustainability strategies and network engagements are most likely to yield performance benefits in new ventures.

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Abstract

Abstract
This study aims to explore the integration challenges faced by immigrant entrepreneurs in Portugal. It employed a multiple case study approach, drawing on semi-structured interviews with nine immigrant entrepreneurs from three distinct communities in Portugal. The findings of this study highlight the role of social networks in enabling and shaping the entrepreneurial journeys of immigrants in Portugal. These networks act as a bridge to help immigrants overcome barriers such as unfamiliarity with local markets, restricted access to resources, and cultural differences. In this context, community knowledge and referrals play a particularly significant role. Furthermore, the findings also identify five types of challenges faced by these communities including the financial, regulatory, social, institutional, and psychological dimensions. This study is relevant due to the role of immigrants in fostering economic growth and social cohesion. Understanding and addressing the integration challenges is key to enabling their success, which in turn strengthens local economies and promotes inclusive growth. Additionally, exploring these issues helps policymakers and organizations develop targeted strategies to support immigrant entrepreneurs, ensuring they can fully realize their potential and contribute positively to the host society.