Abstract
The article presents two important forces influencing the development of produinnovations by suppliers of environmentally sound technologies, namely competitoand consumers. It discusses these phenomena on the basis of different theoreticapproaches (Ansoff and Stewart, 1967; Von Hippel, 1987, 2005, 2007; Prahalad anRamaswamy, 2004). The results of the study show that Polish companies-suppliers environmentally sound technologies are willing to gain inspiration from both demanand supply side market players. In case of supply side of the market, in most casinspiration was not aimed at copying existing successful ideas. The competitors aperceived rather as a source of inspiration for further development of technologicsolutions. Although companies concentrate on having a relationship with customers and track their behavior, these relations have not been established by the Policompanies researched here in order to treat users as co-creators of product improvments or novelties.
Highlights
In times of increasing competition and continuously changing customer needs, efficient response to environmental changes has become an important success factor for enterprises (Homburg, Grozdanovic and Klarmann, 2007, p. 18)
The main purpose of this study is to identify and analyze two important factors influencing the development of product innovations by suppliers of environmentally sound technologies, namely competitors and consumers
From the implications of the research it can be concluded that the behavior of competitors and customers is an important factor that drives innovativeness of companies-suppliers of environmentally sound technologies
Summary
In times of increasing competition and continuously changing customer needs, efficient response to environmental changes has become an important success factor for enterprises (Homburg, Grozdanovic and Klarmann, 2007, p. 18). 40 / The Role of Competitors and Customers in the Development of Environmentally Sound Technologies research gathering data concerning their unmet needs. They can prompt insights and new ideas regarding solutions that might better respond to their needs Environmental markets represent a wide range of relationships between companies that collaborate and compete on this market. This system of forces is crucial for the innovative process and new products development This system of forces is crucial for the innovative process and new products development (Skea, 1995, pp. 402-405)
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