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This paper aims to examine the most commonly used categories of sustainability literature review regarding their purpose, nature, strengths, weaknesses and potential for impact. This paper also discusses the motivation, incremental contribution and framing that occurs by considering the research papers included in this Special Issue.

Given the paucity of clear guidelines for undertaking, writing and publishing literature review studies in sustainability research, this paper describes the main types and processes in conducting a literature review and emerging tools that can help advance the field.

This paper finds a variety of approaches in application with strengths and weaknesses, including the emerging role of software support, artificial intelligence and machine learning. This paper reviews the ethical implications of using emerging tools in the sustainability literature review methodology and their impacts on originality, authenticity and accountability. This paper discusses the seven carefully selected and meticulously reviewed articles in this Special Issue through the lens of these findings by specifically highlighting their purpose, strengths, weaknesses and practical and policy implications.

Through the systemization of ways to conduct meaningful literature reviews, this paper explores the significant relevance of the method in creating a basis of academic understanding and advancing future research that can have significant impacts on the industry. Through the discussion of the articles in this Special Issue, this paper highlights the practical and policy implications and limitations of literature reviews in sustainability research.

This paper highlights the purpose of literature reviews in identifying areas for further research and how the papers included in this Special Issue achieve this goal, i.e. how their findings possess specific positive externalities in summarizing and systematizing sustainability research.

This paper systematizes methods and processes for writing impactful literature reviews in sustainability research, particularly focusing on the use of emerging technology and the opportunities and challenges this may offer in this process.

Virtual reality (VR) has been explored as a training and testing environment in a range of work contexts, and increasingly so in transport. There is, however, a lack of research exploring the role of VR in the training of tram drivers, and in providing an environment in which advances in tram technology can be tested safely. This study aimed to test a novel haptic tram master controller within a tram-based Virtual environment (VE).

The master controller is the primary mechanism for operating a tram, and its effective manipulation can significantly influence the comfort and well-being of passengers, as well as the overall safety of the tram system. Here, the authors tested a haptically enhanced master controller that provides additional sensory information with 16 tram drivers. The feasibility and user acceptance of the novel technology were determined through surveys.

The results indicate that the haptic master controller is seen as beneficial to the drivers suggesting that it could enhance their driving and demonstrate good acceptance. The VE has provided a potential training environment that was accepted by the drivers and did not cause adverse effects (e.g. sickness).

Although this study involved actual tram drivers from a local tram company, the authors acknowledge that the sample size was small, and additional research is needed to broaden perspectives and gather more user feedback. Furthermore, while this study focused on subjective feedback to gauge user acceptance of the new haptic technology, the authors agree that future evaluations should incorporate additional objective measures.

The insights gained from this VE-based research can contribute to future training scenarios and inform the development of technology used in real-world tram operations.

Through this investigation, the authors showed the broader possibilities of haptics in enhancing the functionality and user experience of various technological devices, while also contributing to the advancement of tram systems for safer and more efficient urban mobility.

This paper examines gender diversity in the Australian valuation industry from the perspective of valuers in senior management and leadership roles and discusses gender diversity policies and practices in their organisations. Then, it explores the initiatives that can be implemented to improve gender diversity in the Australian valuation industry.

A focus group discussion was conducted with valuers in senior management and leadership roles from selected large valuation firms and government valuation agencies in Melbourne, Australia. Data collected through the focus group discussion was combined with secondary data sourced from journals, online articles and archival materials.

The findings reveal that whilst gender diversity in the Australian valuation industry has improved over the years, females remain underrepresented. Nonetheless, whilst some valuation companies have recognised the need to address the underrepresentation of women and introduced specific gender-focussed human resource policies and practices, these initiatives are not streamlined and implemented across the industry.

The study highlights the need for closer collaboration between key stakeholders such as universities, professional associations, valuation companies and government agencies in devising strategies to attract female talents into the valuation industry.

The paper is the first empirical study to assess gender diversity in the Australian valuation industry from the perspective of valuers in management and leadership roles. The proposed policies can inform future initiatives to improve gender diversity in the valuation industry.

To address the high level of autistic unemployment it has been recommended that autistic individuals be supported to own and lead social enterprises. This paper aims to discuss what is required to create an enabling environment for autistic social entrepreneurship.

By referring to the autism, entrepreneurship and complexity theory literature, it is argued in this conceptual article that to create the required enabling environment for autistic social entrepreneurship, business advisors need to adopt a business development approach that aligns with autistic ways of thinking. It is also agrued that a place-based autistic social enterprise support ecosystem based on a landscape of practice approach is required to bring together diverse support individuals and organisations who have different approaches to practice. Examples including personal reflections are used to support these claims.

Challenges and barriers to creating the required enabling environment are identified. Two theories of change, one focused on creating integrated service delivery and one focused on enabling the landscape of practice to transition to a more effective state, are proposed for addressing the identified challenges and barriers.

To the best of the author’s knowledge, for the first time this article identifies what is required to address the challenges and barriers in creating an enabling environment for autistic social entrepreneurship. Without addressing these challenges and barriers there is a risk that nascent autistic social entrepreneurs will be set up for failure.