Coloring Sustainable Development: The Global Significance of Sectoral Diversification in Economic Governance
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Over the past three decades, a growing number of color-based economic paradigms have emerged focusing sustainability, governance and development challenges beyond conventional growth-oriented economic models. Despite increasing policy recognition by different authorities, academic literature remains fragmented and isolated studies of individual frameworks missing systematic comparisons of their origins, meanings, interrelationships and governance implications. Addressing these gaps, this study develops a comprehensive comparative assessment of thirteen major economic color frameworks and introduces the concept of “Colorful Economy” as an integrated analytical perspective. The objectives are to examine historical evolution, identify conceptual foundations, map resource bases, analyze policy implications and investigate structural overlaps and geographical distribution across Global North and South contexts. Methodologically, the study employs a qualitative secondary research design based on a systematic literature review following the PRISMA model. From an initial retrieval of 4,692 records, 96 articles were included in the qualitative thematic synthesis of peer-reviewed multidisciplinary literature. The findings reveal that economic color concepts have evolved as specialized governance instruments that recognize previously overlooked dimensions of economic activity, including environmental assets, marine resources, creative industries, care work, demographic change, social identity and informal production systems. Four thematic clusters: sustainability (Green, Blue, Brown); demographic and care (Silver, White, Purple, Gold(en), Gray); culture and identity (Orange, Pink, Yellow); and governance and informality (Black, Gray, Red) are classified. Results further indicate significant geographical asymmetries, with knowledge-intensive and care-oriented economies concentrated in the Global North, while resource-based and informal economic systems remain more prominent in the Global South. Jointly, these approaches align closely with multiple Sustainable Development Goals and offer complementary pathways toward inclusive and resilient development. This study presents the first integrated taxonomy of major economic color paradigms and introduces Chromatic Economic Analysis (CEA), a multidimensional framework that organizes color-based economic paradigms according to their governance orientation, resource base and sustainability functions. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, development practitioners, researchers and international organizations seeking more inclusive approaches to sustainable development and economic transformation.
Author: Paul, Srijon
Institution: Southern University Bangladesh
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Reduced inequalities
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7203559658