Eco-innovation Performance Research Articles

Eco-Innovation: Analysis of EU Member States Performance in the EU Eco-Innovation Index 2013–2022

Sustainability is about intergenerational solidarity in finding solutions to ensure the continued growth that allows organizations and companies to be proactive. In the context of contemporary technology, the fourth industrial revolution, i.e., the widely accepted notion of Industry 4.0, and swift corporate growth; the effects of industry, transportation, and urbanization on climate change; and the preservation of the environment in its entirety are becoming more and more significant. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the eco-innovation performance of European nations, comparing their evolution from 2013 to 2022, in order to identify patterns, leaders, and opportunities for improvement in the implementation of eco-innovation strategies. This study includes the analysis of the Eco-Innovation Index as well as other studies carried out at the European Union level in the field of sustainability and sustainable innovation through the graphic maps, cluster analysis, and correspondence analysis in the statistical program SPSS. Different approaches to development are taken by the EU’s member states. Even though some countries have achieved significantly lower results than the average of the Eco-Innovation Index or significantly higher results than the average, overall, all countries (except Romania) have improved their point evaluations when compared to the year 2013 when the Eco-Innovation Index started to be reported. The nations in the Northern European region produce consistent, long-term outcomes, and these countries have emerged as leaders in innovation in recent years. The countries of Luxembourg, Austria, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark have the best long-term outcomes. On the contrary, Bulgaria has ranked last for a long time, with the least-rated eco-innovation activities.

Eco-Innovation and Firm Sustainability in Emerging Economies: The Role of Consumer Behavior and Green B2B Marketing

ABSTRACT Purpose This study aims to examine the effects of eco-innovation on the sustainability of manufacturing firms. It is anchored on the resource-based view (RBV) and designs a moderated mediating model to explore how eco-innovation impacts firm sustainability, particularly in the context of green business-to-business (B2B) marketing and consumer behavior. Methodology/approach Data were collected from 174 manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The study employs a quantitative approach, analyzing the relationships between eco-innovation, firm sustainability, green B2B marketing, and consumer behavior using statistical methods to test the proposed moderated mediating model. Findings Eco-innovation positively relates to firm sustainability. Consumer behavior positively mediates the relationship between eco-innovation and firm sustainability. Heterogeneity exists within manufacturing firms regarding eco-innovation practices and their impact on sustainability. Firms with high green indicators are more likely to adopt green B2B marketing strategies, leveraging information networks and innovation activities to enhance eco-innovation performance. Research implications This study advances marketing and environmental research by demonstrating the importance of eco-innovation in promoting firm sustainability. It provides insights into the conditions under which eco-innovation activities are most effective, emphasizing the roles of green B2B marketing and consumer behavior. Practical implications Manufacturing firms should focus on developing and implementing eco-innovation strategies to enhance their sustainability performance. Additionally, firms should consider the importance of green B2B marketing and consumer behavior in mediating and moderating the impact of eco-innovation on sustainability. These practices can lead to better information networks and innovation activities, fostering a more sustainable business environment. Originality/value/contribution This study contributes to the literature by revealing the critical role of eco-innovation in enhancing firm sustainability. It highlights the importance of green B2B marketing and consumer behavior in the relationship between eco-innovation and firm sustainability. The findings provide a nuanced understanding of how eco-innovation can be leveraged to achieve better sustainability outcomes in the manufacturing sector.

The Green Economy in the Context of Sustainable Development. Study Case: European Union

Abstract The term „Green economy” in the context of sustainable development was used for the first time in 1989, there is no internationally agreed definition for it. In the last decades, in a relatively short period it has become an issue with major importance worldwide, the society realizing that its actions have direct effects on the environment, its live and where we carry out our work. In order to correctly understand the meaning of Green economy we need an insight on man as an individual but also on organizations that make economic and financial decisions and initiatives. This paper examines the EU countries progress toward green economy, identifies the relationship with financial and economic indicators and analyses the role of eco-innovation performance and innovative capacity toward green transition to meet the European Green Deal objectives. Complex theoretical, methodological and empirical research methodology was adopted by using specific methods of investigation: critical analysis of the literature, complex quantitative and qualitative analysis, identification, construction and the appropriate processing of existing databases. The numerical results were obtained by the SPSS software package. The paper’s outcome identifies barriers and success factors in the implementation of the EU’s main new growth strategy, highlights that the green transformation process of the economy needs large investments in innovation and eco-innovation and needs the green finance to be covered also by the public and private sector on national and EU level and from the EU budget as well.

Toward sustainable consumption: Exploring the role of environmental innovation and international trade on consumption‐based carbon emissions in OECD countries

AbstractEnvironmental degradation is a severe problem around the globe, which includes a range of worries such as weather extremes, biodiversity loss and heatwaves. The scientific community has widely recognized the urgent need to address these challenges and transition towards sustainable sustainability. One key aspect of sustainability is the concept of eco‐innovation, which involves the production processes that minimize ecological impact of productive activities. Businesses across the world are including eco innovation in their strategies, which have great impact on environmental performance. This study explores the linkage between eco innovation and environmental performance achieved by OECD nations over the period of 1990–2021. We investigate the impact that international trade, renewable energy consumption, and economic activity have on environmental performance. This study focuses on consumption‐based approach for measuring carbon emissions. Previous studies have focused on production‐based approach to measure carbon emissions. Using advanced econometric approaches, we find that eco innovation, exports and renewable energy consumption abate CO2 emissions, while imports and economic activities increase CO2 emissions.

Eco-innovative development of industrial ecosystems based on the quintuple helix

This article explores how eco-innovation practices are integrated into different industrial ecosystems in different national and regional contexts, and the role of the quintuple helix model in this integration. The research examines the collaborative interaction of academia, industry, government, civil society, and the natural environment in fostering an integrated eco-innovation ecosystem. The findings underscore the central role of the Quintuple Helix framework in effectively managing eco-innovation, suggesting a comprehensive approach that integrates environmental and societal concerns into a dynamic system for sustainable progress. The study shows that an ecosystem-based approach, underpinned by the quintuple helix, facilitates the rapid exchange of knowledge and resources essential to overcoming eco-innovation challenges, such as high R&D expenditures and the complex integration of sustainable technologies. The quintuple helix model emerges as a strategic imperative for concerted action to achieve eco-efficiency and eco-effectiveness. The study employs an innovative methodological framework based on Quintuple Helix projections using the Eco-Innovation Index (Eco-IS) and highlights significant trends in the roles of academia, industry, government, civil society, and the natural environment in eco-innovation, with a particular focus on their contributions to eco-innovation leaders, average performers, and catching-up groups. The article describes the different roles and interdependencies of the actors within the ecosystem and urges a coherent, networked strategy for managing eco-innovation, which is crucial for sustainable and responsible growth. Acknowledging the issue of externalities that complicate eco-innovation management, the article posits that the quintuple helix framework can better address these challenges by enabling shared R&D investments and broad diffusion of innovations. This research contributes to the discourse on sustainable industrial development by proposing the quintuple helix as a transformative model for improving eco-innovation performance and fostering a culture of sustainability.

Eco-innovation in Waste Recycling Industry in Ghana: Modeling the Upper Echelon Behavioral Drivers of Grass Root Innovation Among SEED Award Winners

Although recent, eco-innovations are increasingly adopted by businesses of all sizes including SMEs in the recycling industry. However, as compared to well-known barriers and obstacles to eco-innovate that are unique to recycling industry, the drivers or determinants are rarely explored. The focus of this study is to investigate socio-psychological drivers of eco-innovation through the combine lens of the upper echelon theory (UET), and firms internal/external factors. The empirical study was based on data obtained from 200 waste recycling entrepreneurs’ founders and co-founders in Ghana who were winner of supporting entrepreneurs for environment and development (SEED) Award from 2010 to 2019. With the implementation of a regression analysis technique, the estimation effects of multiple variables on eco-innovation was made possible. The results confirm the positive effect of regulation and market opportunity on the environmental innovation of SMEs along with two other determinants that are essential for promoting eco-innovation in the startup including; (1) top executive’s self-efficacy, level of education, and experience that reflect the socio-psychological cognitive base toward pro-environmental behavior and (2) the firm’s sustainability identity. The study is first to focus on the subjective drivers perceived by SMEs top executive in waste recycling to eco-innovation and to reveal their specificities compared to other industries. Therefore, these findings can serve as a basis for identifying individual-level characteristics crucial in supporting eco-innovation performance in the waste recycling sector.

The impact of Industrial Internet on provincial eco-innovation performance: empirical evidence from China

ABSTRACT Using panel data of 30 provinces in the Chinese mainland from 2013 to 2021, this study explores the impact of Industrial Internet (II) on provincial eco-innovation performance, as well as the roles played by ecologization of industrial structure and green investment in the impact. The study finds that II has a positive impact on provincial eco-innovation performance. The ecologization of industrial structure plays a partial mediating role in the impact of II on provincial eco-innovation performance. Green investment plays a moderating role in the impact of II on provincial eco-innovation performance.

TARGETING ECO-INNOVATION PERFORMANCE AMONG EU COUNTRIES: CLUSTER OUTCOME

An indispensable tool for enhancing economic growth and protecting the environment is eco-innovation, which integrates innovation and sustainable development. By utilizing innovation to address social, economic, and environmental issues, eco-innovation is essential to achieving sustainable development goals. One significant strategy for addressing environmental issues and promoting economic expansion is eco-innovation. Optimizing resource use and promoting efficiency across various sectors, eco-innovation holds significant importance in modern conditions. Eco-innovation represents a proactive approach and leads to positive environmental outcomes. The performance of eco-innovation is a key determinant of its effectiveness in achieving sustainable development goals. Undoubtedly, the European Union’s (EU) policy plan of the past few decades strongly emphasizes eco-innovation. Through initiatives such as the Eco-Innovation Scoreboard, which provides a comprehensive evaluation of eco-innovation performances across EU member states, the EU has been at the forefront of fostering eco-innovation. Eco-Innovation Scoreboards consist of indicators designed to measure various aspects of eco-innovation, used to assess the overall eco-innovation performance of EU member states and to track progress over time. This study examines the average value of eco-innovation performances across EU member states using data from the Eco-innovation Scoreboard. It also presents a comparative analysis of eco-innovation performances across EU member states over two different periods, 2013-2017 and 2018-2022, using indicators including eco-innovation input, eco-innovation activities, eco-innovation output, resource efficiency outcomes, and socio-economic outcomes. Cluster analysis groups EU member states based on their eco-innovation performances, allowing for a comparative assessment of different clusters. The examination evaluates the effectiveness of EU member states in combining innovative practices with sustainable development by focusing on cluster outcomes. The results of the analysis show dynamic changes in eco-innovation performance among EU countries, indicating migration between clusters over time. The observed trends suggest an evolution of priorities and strategies in eco-innovation, which requires adaptive policy responses. Policymakers are advised to adopt flexible and adaptive strategies that take into account the changing performance landscape of eco-innovation and that capitalize on the strengths recognized within each cluster while overcoming identified weaknesses.

Innovation barriers as triggers of firms’ eco-innovations: the mediating role of public and market knowledge sourcing

ABSTRACT This study expands the existing knowledge about the impact of innovation barriers on firms and tests whether such barriers stimulate their environmental behaviours. For these purposes, we focus on the specific region of Central Europe, which was considered lagging in previous years. It was caused, on the one hand, by the lower innovation performance of firms and states in comparison with their western neighbours, but also due to a lower environmental perception on the part of the whole society. By using data on 14,808 firms from three Central European countries (Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary) and the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) method, this study contributes to the ongoing debate regarding the eco-innovation performance of the Central European territory, where such analyses are still rare. Our results show that firms facing innovation barriers tend to create eco-innovations. We confirm our expectation that Central European firms depend on external sources of knowledge acquired on the market. Moreover, we show that even public knowledge resources obtained from universities and research institutions support the creation of eco-innovations. These results allow us to propose several implications for practitioners and policymakers.

Eco-Innovation – Pioneer of the Green Economy in the Development of the Entrepreneurial Environment. Study Case: Eco-Innovation Performance across Post-Socialist Countries in Europe

Eco-Innovation – Pioneer of the Green Economy in the Development of the Entrepreneurial Environment. Study Case: Eco-Innovation Performance across Post-Socialist Countries in Europe

Analýza ekologických inovácií v rámci krajín EU

The paper deals with the analysis of ecological innovations within EU countries. To examine eco-innovation in EU countries, we used data on the performance of the Eco-Innovation Index in individual EU countries. To assess the closeness of the statistical dependence between the investigated variables, we used cluster analysis to decompose the basic set of investigated objects into several relatively homogeneous subsets - clusters. The results point to the fact that Northern European countries are leaders in eco-innovation, and countries tend to form geographically close clusters with a tendency to decrease in eco-innovation performance with increasing distance from the leaders in this area.

Eco-innovation performance in the European Union economies: Perspective on outcomes

Eco-innovation performance in the European Union economies: Perspective on outcomes

The Impact of Eco-Innovation Performance on Economic Growth: Panel Data Analysis on European Union Countries

Amaç: Küresel ısınma ve iklim değişikliğiyle mücadelede sürdürülebilirliğe yönelik yenilikçi yollar arayışı uluslararası gündemde özellikle son birkaç yıl içerisinde daha fazla önem kazanmıştır. Avrupa Birliği’ne göre bu konuda en önemli yollardan biri olarak addedilen eko-inovasyon, olumsuz çevresel etkilerin azaltılmasını ve kaynakların daha verimli kullanılmasını sağlayan bir araçtır. Bu bağlamda çalışma temel olarak, eko-inovasyon performansının ekonomik büyüme üzerinde nasıl bir etkiye sahip olduğunu araştırmayı amaçlamaktadır. 
 Yöntem: Araştırmanın örneklemi olarak Avrupa Birliği ülkeleri seçilmiş ve analizler, Eurostat veri tabanından elde edilen ikincil verilerle uygulanmıştır. Bu çalışmada, eko-inovasyon performansı ve ekonomik büyüme, sırasıyla eko-inovasyon endeksi ve gayri safi yurtiçi hasıla (GSYİH) kullanılarak ölçülmüştür. Ampirik analiz panel veri yöntemiyle gerçekleştirilmiştir.
 Bulgular: Araştırmanın sonucuna göre AB ülkeleri için 2013-2022 döneminde eko-inovasyondaki %1’lik artış ekonomik büyümeyi %0,53 oranında arttırmıştır. Eko-inovasyonun son 10 yıllık dönemde AB üyesi ülkelerin ekonomik refahında yükselme etkisi yarattığı ifade edilebilir. 
 Özgünlük: Mevcut çalışma, eko-inovasyon performansının ekonomik büyüme üzerinde nasıl bir etkisi olduğu sorusunu tartışarak literatüre teorik ve ampirik olarak, yönetici ve politika geliştiricilere ise sunduğu önerilerle katkı sağlayan ülke düzeyindeki ilk çalışma olma özelliğine sahiptir.

Institutional Pressure and Eco-innovation: The Moderating Role of Environmental Uncertainty

The growing environmental difficulties triggered by enterprises’ activities have drawn academics and development experts’ attention to mechanisms to advance growth and development without compromising the environment. Discussions about eco-innovation have become topical as a result, yet there still remains a dearth of understanding on the subject. Eco-innovation emphasises the duality of technological innovation and environmental protection as long-term solutions to the inherent tensions between these goals. Despite this, there has been little research on methods to improve eco-innovation performance, taking into account internal and external factors. Cognizant of the external environment’s dynamics, this study, based on institutional theory, investigates how institutional pressure affects eco-innovation. We used a cross-sectional survey approach to draw data from 155 businesses. Results revealed institutional pressures, that is, normative, mimetic, and coercive, also environmental complexity (EC) has a positive role in promoting eco-innovation. While environmental dynamics was found to have a positive moderating effect on the relationship between normative pressure and eco-innovation, EC was revealed to have a moderating influence on the relationship between mimetic, normative pressure, and eco-innovation. In light of these seminal findings that have received little research attention, we propose policy, theoretical, and practical implications.

Does Environmental Regulation Promote Eco-Innovation Performance of Manufacturing Firms?—Empirical Evidence from China

As the world becomes more concerned about carbon emissions, the Chinese government, which is a large contributor to carbon emissions, has also begun to pay attention to the issue of carbon emissions. Environmental regulatory policies have been implemented to improve the environment, but are these policies really conducive to improving firms’ eco-innovation performance? This paper empirically investigates the relationship between environmental regulation policies and firms’ eco-innovation performance in China and finds that: firstly, environmental regulation in China is inadequate and that manufacturing eco-innovation performance is generally low; secondly, there is a U-shaped relationship between environmental regulation policies and firms’ eco-innovation performance; thirdly, there is significant industry and regional heterogeneity in the induced effects of environmental regulation tools; and fourthly, there is a mediating effect of industrial agglomeration on the promotion of firms’ eco-innovation performance. The conclusions of this paper are: firstly, that the Chinese government should continue to improve environmental regulations and strictly enforce them so that green becomes the colour of ‘economic recovery’; secondly, that the Chinese government should develop scientific and reasonable environmental regulatory policies according to local conditions; thirdly, that Chinese companies should increase their spending on research and development; and fourthly, that the Chinese government needs to optimise the industrial layout and support mechanisms. The Chinese government should play an active role in industrial agglomeration in technological innovation.

Participation of Manufacturing Firms in Global Value Chains and Eco-Innovation Performance: A Case of Lithuania

In recent decades, international trade relations have changed significantly due to faster development of logistics, global brands, redistribution of production, and regional specialization. The increasing number of challenges has been observed in global value chains due to rapid globalization. Manufacturing firms, embedded in global value chains, have been found to be not only key players in the market, but also the main polluters. Therefore, the firms, aiming to respond to these challenges are forced to look for more environmentally friendly alternatives. As a consequence, eco-innovation has been recognized as a key factor in preventing a negative impact on the environment. The article aims to disclose the participation of the Lithuanian manufacturing sector in global value chains and eco-innovation performance. For this study, we employ literature review and statistical analysis methods. The results reveal the extent of Lithuania's participation in global value chains and its long-term changes, as well as the eco-innovation performance in the context of the EU. The insights for policy makers and future research are elaborated.

The Road to Eco-Excellence: How Does Eco-Friendly Deliberate Practice Foster Eco-Innovation Performance through Creative Self-Efficacy and Perceived Eco-Innovation Importance

In pursuing innovation, eco-friendly deliberate practice will inevitably elevate eco-innovation performance without creative self-efficacy and perceived eco-innovation importance to organizations. This eco-friendly deliberate practice–eco-innovation link is essential because it extends current thinking, treating creative self-efficacy as a causal mechanism and perceived eco-innovation importance as the magnifier of eco-innovation performance. Anchored in social cognitive theory, this study aims to investigate the role of eco-friendly deliberate practice in fueling eco-innovation performance through the mediating role of creative self-efficacy and the moderating role of perceived eco-innovation importance. This study collected 367 responses from the service employees in tourism firms in Pakistan using a time-lagged, i.e., three-wave, research design. The authors analyzed data using a variance-based structural equation model processed in SmartPLS (v 4.0). The findings support the hypothesized relationships, for example, that eco-friendly deliberate practice has a significant positive relationship with eco-innovation performance. In addition, creative self-efficacy significantly mediates the association between eco-friendly deliberate practice and eco-innovation performance. Besides, employees’ perceived eco-innovation importance moderates the eco-friendly deliberate practice–eco-innovation link, such that at high(low) levels of perceived eco-innovation importance, the relationship between eco-friendly deliberate practice and eco-innovation performance is more(less) pronounced. The study examines a hitherto unexplored moderated mediation model to explain under which conditions eco-friendly deliberate practice promotes eco-innovation performance through creative self-efficacy and perceived eco-innovation importance.

Good Innovation Capacity, Good Eco-Innovation Performance? From Firms Innovation, Learning Capacity, and Institutional Environment

Good Innovation Capacity, Good Eco-Innovation Performance? From Firms Innovation, Learning Capacity, and Institutional Environment

Eco-Innovation Performance of Lithuania in the Context of European Environmental Policy: Eco-Innovation Indicators and Efficiency

The European Union (EU) has made eco-innovation and green technology a priority as they are essential to the continent’s long-term prosperity. To move towards sustainable economic growth, eco-innovation takes a significant role in the transition process. The aim of the article is to use the eco-innovation indicators as an instrument to measure the eco-innovation performance of Lithuania in the context of the EU Green Deal in order to analyze and assess the components and indicators of the eco-innovation index for Lithuania. Following the aim of the article, a set of research hypotheses will be formulated. The evaluation of eco-innovation indicators in Lithuania relative to EU countries using Eco-IS indicators, determination of eco-innovation efficiency using the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method, and identification of necessary eco-innovation policies for sustainable growth are the objectives of this paper. The research results present the positive impact of eco-innovation activities in the EU on Lithuania, and vice versa. Lithuania was affected positively by eco-innovation activities of other EU nations. The outcome of the study indicates its relevance by highlighting Lithuania’s position among the lowest countries in terms of eco-innovation adoption, hence new research pathways for the creation and implementation of policies to solve the current situation are provided.

A strategic perspective of eco-innovation drivers: Evidence from Canadian SMEs

The purpose of this article is to investigate the effect of the technology factors and the breadth knowledge search on eco-innovation. The analysis is based on a sample of 634 manufacturing firms in Canada. Eco-innovation literature has largely been developed and operationalized through symmetrical analyses. Such methods necessarily limit investigation of synergies between eco-innovation drivers. The study empirically analyses the data set using structural equation modelling (SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The SEM findings indicate that knowledge search breadth mediates the relationship between the R&D activities and eco-innovation. The fsQCA results confirm synergies among eco-innovation drivers. Overall, three pathways of eco-innovation drivers are sufficient conditions for explaining high eco-innovation performance.