Sustainability design approaches: From material/component-level innovation to socio-technological-ecological sustainability transitions

Rapid industrialization, economic expansion, and resource scarcity have intensified the demand for sustainability in manufacturing. While organizations are under increasing pressure from policymakers, stakeholders, and global partners to integrate sustainability into their value chains, the design of sustainable manufacturing systems remains insufficiently understood. This study addresses this gap by developing a hierarchical framework for sustainability design approaches. Using the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review of 873 studies published between 1987 and 2025 in the Scopus database was conducted to synthesize insights across multiple levels of sustainability innovation. Findings reveal that transitioning from product-focused interventions to socio-technological-ecological (STE) approaches offers a more holistic pathway to achieving sustainability. Such transitions enhance resource efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and promote social equity while aligning organizational strategies with long-term sustainability goals. The framework maps sustainability design approaches across technological and systemic dimensions, conceptualizing transitions as dynamic, interdependent processes shaped by innovation, institutional change, behavioral adaptation, and ecological restoration. Unlike linear models, the proposed structure adopts a layered, feedback-driven perspective, fostering greater systemic resilience.The study further outlines the benefits, challenges, and strategic guidelines at each innovation level, supported by illustrative global case studies. Digital transformation is emphasized as a critical enabler, integrating tools that accelerate the development of co-evolutionary socio-technological-ecological systems. Designed for adaptability, the framework applies across industries and economic contexts, supporting both policy-driven initiatives and community-led transitions. Overall, the study contributes a prescriptive and practical model that equips organizations, policymakers, and researchers with strategies to advance systemic innovation, environmental resilience, and social equity.