Green innovation networks: A research agenda

Abstract

Much of green innovation is the outcome of different levels of collaboration between organizations in different constellations. There is significant knowledge of interorganizational networks on the one hand and on green innovation on the other. However, less is known of interorganizational networks aimed at green innovations. The purpose of the paper is to develop a research agenda for future studies in green innovation networks. Extant literature on collaborations in networks to develop green innovations is reviewed. The Scopus database was used, with a search resulting in 63 papers. The review included a wide range of green innovations: products, services, processes, business models and marketing. Different types of actors and their reasons for engagement, the extent of networks and the prevalence of different actors were all identified. This research discusses what kind of network relationships (e.g. new types or cross-sectoral) need to be understood when studying these green innovations. Three areas for future research directions are proposed: the potential of horizontal collaborations in green innovation networks, cross-sectoral (including public-private) partnerships in green innovation networks and users as actors in green innovation networks.