Micro-level green growth (MGG): A framework for assessing organizational progress towards sustainable development and implementing eco-innovations

Amid increasing global environmental challenges and the pursuit of sustainable development goals, this review introduces a Microlevel Green Growth (MGG) framework to evaluate and facilitate organizational transformation toward sustainability. Traditional green growth efforts have primarily targeted the macro level, leaving a gap in organizational accountability. The MGG framework addresses this gap by integrating eco-innovation, stakeholder participation, resource efficiency, engineering and dynamic capabilities to guide firms from a compliance-based approach to sustainability leadership. Key dimensions include carbon performance, waste performance, innovation preparedness, and internal stakeholder engagement assessed through measurable indicators such as energy use per unit output, emissions per employee, and recycled material percentage. These indicators provide a clear, objective lens for evaluating authentic green growth initiatives, minimizing the risk of superficial sustainability claims. Eco-innovation serves as a strategic enabler, helping firms redesign processes, redefine business models, and align environmental responsibility with economic performance. The framework embraces adaptability and continuous learning, allowing organizations to remain responsive to evolving regulations and environmental contexts. Stakeholder engagement is emphasized as critical for fostering legitimacy, driving innovation, and generating long-term environmental and business value. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) supports the selection of framework dimensions and indicators, ensuring applicability across sectors and organizational contexts. By leveraging dynamic capabilities, businesses can anticipate challenges and sustain meaningful green transitions. The MGG framework offers a holistic and scalable model to evaluate an organization’s current sustainability status and identify pathways for continuous improvement. By shifting the focus from national policies to the firm-level, the MGG framework contributes a crucial tool for integrating ecological and social priorities within competitive enterprise development.