Diffusion of cleaner production in a developing country: The case of Sri Lanka

Abstract

For developing countries, cleaner production plays a significant role in transitioning corporates, governments, and societies’ alignment with sustainable development goals. However, studies of cleaner production in developing countries provide a narrow view on scope, content, sectors and actors without describing the dynamic trajectory of their evolutionary process. A broader understanding of cleaner production diffusion is vital in not only contributing to the policy-level developments but also facilitating wider and strategic adoption by firms. Therefore, this study was conducted to provide an in-depth analysis of how and why cleaner production, as a managerial technology, is diffused in developing countries by focusing on the context of Sri Lanka. Using a case study approach, data was collected from multiple sources in the Sri Lankan cleaner production industry. The data were analyzed by considering the demand-pull and supply-push factors through the diffusion theory of innovation lenses. The findings indicate that Sri Lanka is witnessing hierarchical diffusion; cleaner production is being trickled down from highly polluting industries and export-oriented sectors to other peripheral sectors due to various factors, including efficient choices, forced selection, and fashion. The supply-side propagators have played a crucial role in popularizing and advocating for cleaner production to accelerate the diffusion process. While the proactive firms have elevated their practices to organization-wide sustainable development strategies, the reactive users practice cleaner production only as an isolated and ad-hoc exercise. This paper contributes as a general reference for policy-level developments and interventions for various stakeholder groups to promote cleaner production in developing countries.