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The future of human society has to take into account on the one hand, the natural requirements of the society as a whole, and, on the other hand, the influences generated by economic, social, informational factors but also in relation to the environment. Therefore, the future is seen and described in relation to the need to create the conditions for achieving sustainable development goals. The unpredictable evolution and uncertainties of recent years explain the need to include in the decisions of organizations, responsibly applied approaches. In order to achieve and maintain a balance between the interests of various actors on a global scale, it is necessary to practice responsible management, which deals with both the management of current critical issues worldwide, but also in relation to the need to ensure living conditions and the prosperity of future generations. Thus, as an adequate response of companies and organizations of various types to these complex challenges is integrated as a defining element of business strategies a principle of responsible management called social responsibility. This means that, through the elaborated decisions, these companies have to find a way of treatment balanced between the fulfillment of their own financial objectives and the social obligation of the contributions of these entities to the sustainable development of the economy in which they operate. This results, in fact, in the large-scale development and implementation of the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR). On the other hand, the functioning of all companies in the realities of the present times, characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity & ambiguity (VUCA) requires significant efforts and resources on their part, so that, by collecting an important and comprehensive volume of data, there is the possibility of generating reliable forecasts.

The development puts the problem under consideration in a strategic light and gains attention with its wide comprehensiveness on the plane of unification of the activity of several modern scientific fields, which have always had intersections, but in their essence perform rather different roles – human resources management (HRM), public relations (PR), and sustainable development (SD). Examining the possibilities of applying innovative approaches in the research of these areas, in the context of the influence of digital and smart technologies and an entirely new scientific field. In this sense, the theoretical substantiation of the thesis on the synergy between HR, PR, and sustainable development is targeted in the aspect of highlighting contemporary challenges and the relevant response to achieve organizational effectiveness, based on knowledge of the impact of digitization processes and their connection with the development of human capital in the organization.

Emphasis in the present work is placed on the relationship between the management of human capital in the organization and the influence of digital and smart technologies on these processes. Focus in the research is placed in three directions – first of all – the role of digital/smart/technologies on sustainable development. Second, the impact of digital and smart technologies on green human resource management is explored, and third, emphasis is placed on the changed role of strategic communications in the context of the digital revolution.

The development brings out some good practices and ideas in the described areas.

The expansion of new technologies has induced the digital revolution and paved the way for an innovation-based economy. Digitalization, while blurring real and virtual environments, acts as an incentive for innovation and has been regarded as a tool to tackle the crisis. Its particular acceleration was caused by the lockdown regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Social entrepreneurship searches for innovative methods, tools and models to solve pressing social problems. The concept suggests applying business models for implementing social missions. Revenue generated from commercial activities is spent to solve social challenges caused by market imperfection, government inefficiency, disasters, pandemics, wars and economic crises. Advancing technologies, on the one hand, present opportunities for social enterprises and, on the other hand, involve risks to employment, data protection, transformed business model and strategies and changes in society's lifestyle and impose costly digital technologies to be adopted. Social entrepreneurs can create social value by using digital technologies that allow them to reach remote customers, investors or beneficiaries overcoming geographical boundaries or time differences. Yet digitalization can pose a threat to existing jobs as they become redundant; it transforms them or gives rise to new jobs while demanding technological skills and digital literacy. Moreover, enhanced digitalization and effective governmental actions set the stage for the decline of social business. The chapter explores the influence of digitalization on social entrepreneurship and discusses the potential of digital transformation for social enterprises. It examines the risks and opportunities that bring accelerated digitalization to social entrepreneurship.

European projects from a wide list of subjects are sharing and promoting good practice in knowledge development but there appears to be opportunities to exploit the findings of these projects more effectively, especially relating to sustainability issues, in the implementation and development of robust curricula within higher education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

A detailed description will be given of an example of a partnership between several universities from Sweden, France, Romania, and Lebanon related to a high-profile industry area: oil and gas. This partnership was created within a European Project carried out during the 2015–2018 period. The importance of this project is focused on how energy issues play an important role in the global development of industrial and underdeveloped countries. Energy issues are commonly accompanied with the challenging trade-off of energy production and environmental sustainability. The research project evaluates the creation and delivery of a new curriculum at the Lebanese universities based upon the joint effort and support of the European partners of the Project Consortium.

The overall aim of the project was to promote academic excellence through an academic network and by joint research, education, and exchange of experience, but also knowledge that has led to the high-quality curriculum. It is expected that this will contribute in the sustainable development of the Lebanese higher educational system. The project is in perfect alignment with the EU Commission’s action aiming to deepen the knowledge of extraction technologies and practices of unconventional gas and oil while minimizing potential health and environmental risks. The project succeeded in the delivery and the transfer of specific knowledge, through a more effective curriculum, for future educators and offers students a high-quality educational experience preparing them for the oil and gas industry.

The aim of sustainable development goals (SDGs) announced in 2015 by United Nations was to ensure that all students and scholars are being able to acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. The role of higher education is important when it comes to educating students in sustainability and sustainable developments. Universities can have a great influence on achieving social and economic progress of a country as well as protecting the environment and addressing complex issues that plague society. The role of universities is not only restricted to exchange of knowledge but also in playing a leading role as an active member of society. Universities have come out of their isolation to accommodate and be a part of social change and actively engage in community’s life and activities and not being confined to only classrooms and laboratories. Universities need to work closely with industry and non-governmental and non-profit bodies to identify the needs of society and address them productively and work toward achieving common goals and objectives. In this book, authors have explored various facets of SDGs and how well universities have been able to integrate those goals into their curriculum and to institutionalize those goals into their strategic plans and institutional culture. Authors from Nigeria, sub Saharan Africa, Italy, and Middle East have elaborated how to achieve this in the face of shifting expectations, student debt, and graduate mobility. As a result, this volume shows how some universities are cultivating SDGs both on- and off campus.