Abstract
AbstractInternational institutions are calling for a transition towards more sustainable systems of production and consumption. In this transition, sustainable innovations are expected to play an ever‐increasing role. In particular, the production of innovative bio‐based products—products wholly or partly derived from biological materials or from innovative production processes and/or innovative biomass such as food waste or forest residuals—will be part of this process. However, the sustainability of such products must be assured along their entire life cycle and across the three dimensions mentioned above. Against this background, our study aimed at identifying a social impact framework tailored to bio‐based products. It employed a two‐step methodological framework encompassing (a) identification of the relevant social impact categories, subcategories, and indicators and (b) validation of these factors, according to participatory stakeholder involvement. The validation exercise enabled us to consider a restricted number of social indicators so as to reduce the amount of data needed for assessing and decreasing related costs.
Highlights
The dominant approach to the sustainable development debate concerns the dynamics that affect firms' innovation—with particular reference to technological and institutional conditions—and sustainability
The overview identified a total of nine social impact categories that appeared pertinent for the social sustainability assessment of bio‐based products: labor rights and decent work, human rights, health and safety, social benefits/social security, social acceptability, economic contribution, food security, fair competition in the market, and migration
To analyze the extent to which the most relevant aspects of social sustainability should be considered in an social life cycle assessment (SLCA) of bio‐based products, we aimed at establishing which of these aspects and related measurement indicators stakeholders deemed most important
Summary
The dominant approach to the sustainable development debate concerns the dynamics that affect firms' innovation—with particular reference to technological and institutional conditions—and sustainability. Development must embrace three distinct but interrelated pillars: the environment, the economy, and society. The development and diffusion of successful sustainable innovations, understood as new business models that are economically affordable, environmentally respectful, and socially responsible (Clark & Charter, 2007), are crucial for stimulating firms' social and environmental responsiveness while enhancing their economic performance (Dibrell, Craig, Kim, & Johnson, 2015). The European Union and some member states launched strategies aimed at promoting the development of a renewable resource‐ based bio‐economy (e.g., European Commission, 2012; Italian Agency for Territorial Cohesion, 2016).
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