Eco-innovation Implementation Research Articles

Analyzing How European Startups Generate Eco-Processes and Eco-Products: Eco-Innovation Implementation, Financial Resources, and Patents

Despite the pivotal role of European startups in addressing pressing environmental concerns, the current literature has neglected the dynamic factors that influence startups’ decision-making to implement eco-innovation. This study aims to bridge this gap by exploring the impact of eco-innovation implementation on eco-processes and eco-products, considering financial resources and patents as mediators. An integrative framework was proposed, focusing on customer demand, expected benefits, and the description of green innovation as the main dimensions influencing European startups’ decisions to implement green innovation. Furthermore, a questionnaire was distributed to European startups to cover all feasible sectors, resulting in 114 valid responses. The methodology used SmartPLS for descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling. The results showed that financial resources mediate the relationship between eco-innovation implementation and eco-processes, while patents do not mediate either relationship. Eco-innovation implementation also directly influences eco-products. In conclusion, financial resources are essential for advancing eco-process improvements in European startups, emphasizing the necessity for targeted financial support mechanisms to stimulate green innovation. Also, the patents’ absence as a mediator suggests a focus on immediate operational benefits over intellectual property. This paper’s implications can inform strategic decisions for policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs to promote a more sustainable entrepreneurial landscape.

Partnering with green start-ups: a vehicle for eco-innovation?

ABSTRACT Established firms are increasingly forming alliances with green start-ups, i.e. newly-started ventures dedicated to eco-innovation. This study explores the rationales for the initiation and continuation of such alliances. We investigate how established firms leverage these alliances to facilitate eco-innovation adoption alongside their pursuit of legitimacy. Findings from a case study on seven alliances focused on food waste reduction initiatives in Italy and Sweden indicate that legitimacy-seeking rationales are predominant during alliance formation. As alliances evolve, they transition into a phase where firms identify opportunities for eco-innovation, while ambitions of capability-building and new revenue creation shape the development of the alliances. This study contributes to eco-innovation and environmental alliance literature by showcasing how the pursuit of legitimacy facilitates established firms’ adoption and implementation of eco-innovation through alliances with green start-ups.

Implementasi Eco-Innovation dan Sustainable Manufacturing terhadap Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Sirkular UMKM Di Kota Langsa

This study aims to determine the implementation of Eco-Innovation and Sustainable Manufacturing on the Circular Economic Growth of MSMEs in Langsa City. This study uses quantitative research. Data collection by conducting surveys and questionnaires. The number of respondents is 100 people consisting of MSMEs in the food and beverage sector in Langsa City. Questionnaire data was tested using SPSS Version 23. The data analysis technique used linear regression analysis. The implementation of Eco-innovation is relatively small in influencing the circular economy. However, if the individual influence on the circular economy is tested, partially Eco-Innovation has not had an influence on the circular economy. However, if tested by multiple linear regression, Eco-Innovation still has hope in increasing the circular economy of MSMEs by 25%. If tested individually, Sustainable Manufacturing has a significance value of 0.00 <0.05. The conclusion of the hypothesis research is accepted because Sustainable Manufacturing has an effect on the circular economy. Likewise, the results of the multiple linear regression of Sustainable Manufacturing have a regression coefficient of 0.620. A positive coefficient means that every 1% increase in Sustainable Manufacturing will increase the Circular Economy by 62%. The recommendation of the research results requires a deeper study of eco-innovation in the production sector.

Analyzing the determinants factors for the implementation of eco-innovation in the developing economies, a case of Tanzania agri-food sector

Analyzing the determinants factors for the implementation of eco-innovation in the developing economies, a case of Tanzania agri-food sector

Proposal for an Eco-Innovation Concept for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Eco-innovation is an important factor not only for the competitiveness of companies in the face of the greening of markets but also as one of the primary means on the road to sustainable development. However, there is a remarkable conceptual diversity in the subject given the theoretical perspective from which eco-innovation is analyzed. Therefore, this research aims to establish an integrating concept of eco-innovation, based on elements of acceptance in the scientific literature, for its application in SMEs. To this end, 40 articles from recognized scientific databases such as ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) were reviewed, resulting in a concept that covers the economic approach, definition, dimensions and drivers of eco-innovation. It was found that the implementation of eco-innovation is dependent on the degree of formalization in each element according to the institutional context in question.

Eco-innovations: basic concepts and feasibility of development in Ukraine

The formation and development of effective modern technologies, threats of a socio-political nature, the aggravation of the relationship between society and nature form fundamentally new challenges regarding the state of the environment and the intensity of negative impacts. One of the main factors of the theory of sustainability is environmental innovations (eco-innovations), which provide a double benefit for the economy: economic growth and reduction of negative impact on the environment. Eco-innovations contribute to the development of a more ecological economy and the spread of so-called "clean technologies". Practical implementation of eco-innovation is possible only if it is an element of a certain system. Environmental engineering can be such a system. Environmental engineering is a relatively new discipline that is actively developing and aims to integrate ecological principles into the planning, design and construction of both land and water infrastructure. Ecological engineering allows the introduction of biological and chemical methods and systems that exist in nature for research and design of modern engineering systems. One of the options for implementing eco-innovations can be the use of mining waste in sanitation and environmental protection technologies. The mining industry produces the largest amount of waste of inorganic origin among all existing industries of human economy. The use of mining waste as an example of eco-innovation in sanitation and environmental protection is a promising direction of development and experimental research. A list of independent economic and managerial factors (predictors) is offered, which are indicators and a condition for the implementation of multi-cycle development based on the principles of sustainable development. The potential of circular economy mechanisms in relation to the implementation of investment projects using recycling is determined. The factors that prevent the spread of the best practices of sustainable development in the activities of Ukrainian enterprises are analyzed. The factors (limitations) include: lack of state incentives, ignorance of the field about eco-innovation methods, old concept of waste management, lack of infrastructure and eco-engineering technologies.

Creating a Competitive Advantage for Micro and Small Enterprises Based on Eco-Innovation as a Determinant of the Energy Efficiency of the Economy

The aim of this analysis is to identify the possibility of treating eco-innovation in micro and small enterprises as a factor influencing the energy efficiency of the economy. In order to obtain an answer to such a research question, quantitative research was carried out among Polish enterprises from the SME sector (N = 400). Accordingly, the CATI technique was applied. The selection of enterprises was random and took place in the non-returnable drawing process. The criterion for selecting the sample was the size of enterprises, but in order to ensure the possibility of drawing conclusions based on a sufficiently large research sample, its structure (300 micro and 100 small enterprises) assumed the study of small enterprises in a proportion greater than their actual share in the population of enterprises. As a result of this research, the existence of a relationship between the improvement of the company’s competitive position and its activity in the field of eco-innovation implementation was confirmed. It is shown that the behavior and attitudes of entrepreneurs largely determine the very decisions regarding the use of specific types of eco-innovation, as well as the areas in which they brought about changes influencing the improvement of the competitive position of the surveyed companies. Differences in these decisions can be observed in micro and small companies. This article justifies the notion that the impact of the scale of micro and small companies is important in shaping the energy efficiency of the economy.

How Sustainable is an Innovation Strategic Orientation?

It is a consensus that firms genuinely concerned with environmental sustainability must innovate in their business to achieve above-average sustainable performance, therefore adopting an eco-innovation strategic orientation. On the other hand, nowadays, innovative business models are leveraged by intrinsically more sustainable concepts such as industry 4.0 technologies and circular economy. It means that firms with a more general innovation strategic orientation, even if not explicitly seeking to improve their environmental performance, may achieve it due to their innovative efforts to obtain a competitive advantage. We tested our hypotheses with structural equation modeling through a survey administered in 844 firms from five countries. The results indicated that both eco-innovation and general innovation strategic orientations have similar effects on achieving a better sustainable performance, which simultaneously encompasses environmental and operational performance, directly and mediated by the eco-innovation implementation. This paper contributes by supporting the affirmative that the concepts and technology that support most new business models nowadays are intrinsically more sustainable. It also helps managers improve their firms' strategic planning and execution process by giving elements to verify that both strategic orientations are effective for firms to achieve good sustainable performance.

Eco-innovation, sustainable business performance and market turbulence moderation in emerging economies

The study purports to empirically draw out the prominence of eco-innovation in achieving sustainability in business performances, which is further tested by the moderation of turbulent market conditions on the relationship. In contrast to previous eco-innovation research, a nascent methodology involving a dual-stage hybrid analysis and an emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) technique, deep learning was used to analyze 683 viable responses from Ghanaian manufacturing firms.Some intriguing conclusions were discovered where the dimensions of sustainable business performance are achievable vis-à-vis the implementation of product, process, and organizational eco-innovation. Notably, a manufacturing firm's environmental performance can be considerably improved by implementing the triumvirate of product, process, and organizational eco-innovation. Subsequently, a firm can improve its social performance by R&D investment in eco-innovations, novel green management practices and staff sensitization on eco-innovation. Lastly, market turbulence (technology and environmental turbulence) in the form of technological advancements, intense market competition, changing household demand and taste amplifies the positive effect of product and organizational eco-innovation on the economic dimension of sustainable performance.Theoretically, a newly integrated theoretical framework, which incorporates eco-innovation, contingency and RBV theory, could aid in determining the relative importance of specific determinants, thereby providing significant contributions to eco-innovations effect on the sustainability of business performance.

Design and Development of an Eco-Innovation Management Information System to Accelerate Firms’ Digital Transformation Strategy

It is vital for firms to measure, and, report on, the impact of eco-innovation towards their environmental performance. Additive Manufacturing is an eco-innovation that contributes towards reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing. However, there is a lack of practical tools for management to monitor and report on firms’ eco-innovation implementation and performance. This paper presents a prototype Eco-innovation Management Information System (EiMIS), developed to enable a firm’s management to systematically manage and report on eco-innovation performance. Using a top-down approach, the EiMIS is developed through utilizing the C# and SQL programming languages for the Graphical User Interface (GUI), Database Management System (DBMS) and other technologies to collect, store (into a relational database) and manage eco-innovation performance data. A 4-tier architecture enables the EiMIS to: store, view and retrieve or generate eco-innovation performance reports; and generally, manage firms’ eco-innovation performance data. This developed prototype could, help introduce information system platforms that: assist firms to collect data that can model their additive manufacturing; ease firms’ eco-innovation performance reporting; improve environmental data management capabilities; and complement firms’ digital transformation strategy.

From Innovation to Eco-Innovation: Co-Created Training Materials as a Change Driver for Research and Technology Organisations

The concept of the circular economy has been a major driver in establishing new perspectives in innovation, product design and in technology management. Technological innovation in the context of a circular economy has become a factor of competitiveness, of success in national and European calls for projects, as well as a source of attractiveness for employees. A transition management is operating today in worldwide organisations from innovation intended to only provide additional economic incomes, to innovations that are willing to be sustainable by staying under the planetary boundaries limits and by satisfying some targeted societal needs. The term ‘eco-innovation’ is among the most cited design for sustainability methods associated with this transformation. The required paradigm shift is a new challenge that technology-intensive organisations must handle with the companies and industries included in this socio-technical system. Such a paradigm shift cannot be achieved without adapting the innovation processes. Moreover, the concept and implementation of eco-innovation remain unclear, lacks in the validation and the experimentation processes are frequent. The overall approach therefore needs to be supported by practical tools and methods for design engineers and applied researchers.This article provides feedback on a project collaboration between a large public-funded research organisation (CEA: Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) and academic researchers from university (Grenoble Institute of Technology), with the aim of formalising an approach needed to conduct eco-innovation R&D projects. One of the levers in this perspective is the dissemination of applied knowledge (known-how) by providing training materials in order to make R&D engineers aware of the importance of innovation within the circular economy framework.This paper presents the process of development of such educational training conducted in a collaborative way. This training content has the ambition to empower engineers in developing a systemic vision and practical insights in four main topics: sustainability challenges, environmental impact assessment, circular economy vision, and eco-innovation methods. It was tested during pilot workshops and then transformed into an online format.

How does Eco-Innovation Affect CO2 Emissions? Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

Accurate implementation of eco-innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to mitigate climate change and related environmental turmoil emanating from economic activities is always ignored. The study seeks to investigate the role of eco-innovation in enhancing environmental sustainability; the effect of eco-innovation on carbon dioxide (CO[Formula: see text] emissions for the aggregated Sub-Saharan Africa panel of 35 countries and low-income and middle-income countries sub-panels over the period 1990–2017 is investigated. Bearing in mind the potential occurrence of residual cross-sectional reliance and heterogeneity, this extant study employed second-generation estimation approaches which include the cross-sectional Im, Pesaran and Shin and the cross-sectional augmented Dickey–Fuller unit root tests together with the Westerlund and Edgerton as well as the Durbin–Hausman panel cointegration tests. The augmented mean group long-run estimation method was finally employed to estimate the long-run liaison amid variables. Based on the outlined robust approaches, the main outcomes are elaborated as follows: (i) eco-innovation significantly reduces environmental pollution in all the panels Sub-Saharan Africa; (ii) income is revealed to have insignificant effect on environmental pollution across all panels, although a positive effect occurred in both the middle-income panel and aggregated panel, whereas an adverse effect is noted in the low-income panel of SSA nations; (iii) energy consumption and urbanisation contribute to environmental pollution in all the panels; (iv) trade openness contributes significantly to environmental pollution in the SSA aggregated panel but has insignificant effect in the sub-panels; and (v) foreign direct investment has no effect on carbon emissions among all panels. The findings also reveal invalid environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis in the various country groups. Based on the findings, we recommend a solid policy framework for investments in more innovation activities that facilitate sustainability transition, prioritise green investments, reduce the importation of emissions-intensive technologies and encourage green production processes which in turn could guarantee sustainable development.

A plithogenic based neutrosophic analytic hierarchy process framework to analyse the barriers hindering adoption of eco-innovation practices in supply chain

ABSTRACT Eco-innovations have become an essential component to attain sustainability in the supply chain. However, the process of transition from the traditional supply chain to an eco-innovative focused supply chain is faced with several challenges especially in the developing nations. Hence, this study is undertaken to evaluate the eco-innovation implementation barriers in the supply chain. A plithogenic-based neutrosophic analytic hierarchy process is used to determine the weight intensity of the barriers. Findings of the study indicate that lack of internal funds necessary to meet the extra cost and research and development cost are the major barrier in the adoption of eco-innovation initiatives. The other important barriers hindering the adoption of eco-innovation initiatives include the absence of complementary assets (such as infrastructure, standards), lack of collaboration agreements with other organisations, and high costs involved in the transition to new technologies. A manufacturing case industry is selected to apply the proposed framework. This study will help the industry experts/policy-makers to understand the important barriers hindering the adoption of eco-innovation initiatives.

Eco-innovation Adoption in Malaysian Contractor Firms: Understanding the Components and Drivers

Eco-innovation (EI) is a concept that integrates eco-consciousness within innovation development. While EI has been widely applied in the manufacturing industry, its adoption in the construction sector remains uncertain. The rising concern of environmental impacts on construction necessitates the importance of finding more innovative ways to push environmental needs within the complexity of projects’ design and methods. Contractors hold a strategic position to promote and adopt EI into management, construction, and development. This paper explores 1) the adoption level of EI practices and 2) the relationship between the adoption of EI practices and the factors that drive EI, within the Malaysian contractor firms. A questionnaire survey was developed using 18 EI components and four driving factors. A total of 95 Grade G7 contractor firms responded to the survey. The survey revealed that the level of EI adoption in contractor firms is still at a moderate pace. The results showed that organisational EI is a crucial component that supports the firm’s eco-innovative management approach to improve firm’s environmental performance. The results indicated that all four driving factors have a positive relationship with the implementation of EI. Technology factor was identified as crucial in influencing better adoption of EI in contractor firms. Findings from this study are beneficial to develop a framework on strategies to increase the EI adoption rate among the contractor firms and deepen the understanding of EI implementation at the firm level, further extending to the project site level.

The eco-innovation impact on economic and environmental performance of EU Member States

Development of innovation is recognised as a most powerful tool for the economic growth of countries. However, their effects on the quality of the environment are still being debated. To achieve sustainable development, eco-innovation becomes significant. EU countries expand eco-innovation activities, but it is not clear whether its development achieves the goal of economic growth and improves the quality of the environment. Purpose – to present how EU Member States perform in economic growth, environment and eco-innovation development and to evaluate eco-innovations impact on economic and environmental performance. Research methodology – the random effect regression was used for investigation relationship between eco-innovation, economic growth and environmental performance. Findings – eco-innovation development influences not only EU MS economic growth but also has a positive effect on environmental performance. Research limitations – eco-innovations development and economic growth can be interdepended, but this research investigates just one-way dependence. Granger causality test can be used for relationship assessment in the future. Practical implications – the research results can be used for both the development of environmental policy and the policy of business support for eco-innovation implementation. Originality/Value – study results confirmed previous assessment results on eco-innovation and economic growth and provided new knowledge of their effect on environmental performance.

Measurement development for eco-innovation capabilities of Malaysian oil and gas firms

PurposeTo combat concerns over the state of the natural environment, energy security and deteriorating air quality, the oil and gas sector needs to implement eco-innovations. Interest in eco-innovation is growing, as its implementation facilitates the transition toward sustainable development and a circular economy, while enabling firms to attain a competitive advantage vis-à-vis capabilities that foster sustainable economic and environmental development. However, literature on eco-innovation capabilities construct development, measurement and validation is scant. This study, therefore, develops an Eco-innovation Capabilities Scale for oil and gas firms.Design/methodology/approachThree dimensions of Eco-innovation Capabilities are identified through an extensive literature review and qualitative interviews. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis is applied to data collected from managers of Malaysian Oil and Gas Services and Equipment (OGSE) companies.FindingsResults reveal a parsimonious three-dimensional structure with nine items. The construct of eco-innovation capabilities is manifested by Product Service Stewardship, Environmental Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Development Commitment dimensions. Reliability analysis confirms the reliability and validity of the scale.Originality/valueThe eco-innovation capabilities scale should be useful to researchers in exploring dimensions, factors and outcomes of eco-innovation capabilities. Oil and gas firms play a key role in the global energy mix; hence managers of oil and gas firms may also find this scale useful in measuring their eco-innovation implementation.

Implementation of Eco-Innovation in Hotels

In a context of increasing concern with environmental factors, hotels show a tendency to respond with passivity to eco-innovation. Furthermore, the literature is scarce about the way hotels adopt and integrate eco-innovation changes in their internal processes. As such, this article intends to present an integrative perspective of the dimensions that influence the adoption of eco-innovation, starting from the external dimension, which incorporates the context and drivers of eco-innovation. The internal dimension is divided into two levels: ordinary and dynamic capabilities. Based on a survey of a sample of hotels, the data were analyzed using partial least squares. The results indicate a positive and significant relationship between context and drivers in both dynamic and ordinary capacities. The influence of context on the green behaviour of hotels was only found in the technological dimension, while external drivers show a strong correlation with eco-innovation. The results also indicate that the two dynamic capacities and the three ordinary capacities studied have a positive and significant relationship with eco-innovation. The role of knowledge is highlighted, not only by its role in establishing a link with the external dimension, but also in the reconfiguration of the set of implementation capabilities that triggers eco-innovation.

Tradition vs. Eco-Innovation: The Constraining Effect of Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) on the Implementation of Sustainability Measures in the Olive Oil Sector

Although eco-innovation in the agri-food sector is receiving increasing attention, the heterogeneity of firms operating in the sector encourages the development of specific sub-sectoral studies to define specific strategies. In this regard, the main goal of the present study is to evaluate the drivers of eco-innovation in the olive oil production sector. Our empirical method relies on data from Spanish olive oil mills, and uses qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). The results show that large olive oil cooperatives have an important commitment to sustainability, and that cooperation with a wider range of different agents encourages the implementation of eco-innovation, particularly among smaller firms. However, the main finding of the study is the limiting effect of belonging to a protected designation of origin (PDO) on the implementation of eco-innovative measures. Although traditional production of olive oil (production under a PDO) is still perceived as a central competitive advantage in olive oil firms, further efforts should be made to coordinate traditional elaboration with production under a more sustainable management approach.

Determinants of eco-innovations – preliminary findings from SME sector in Silesian voivodeship

Purpose: The aim of the paper is to identify and assess the various factors – legal, technological or social, that determine the process of eco-innovation development in SMEs sector companies. Design/methodology/approach: The first part of this paper presents literature considerations on eco-innovation and its characteristics as well as types of determinants affecting its implementation. The occurrence and importance of particular determinants for the implementation of eco-innovation was then evaluated as a result of an own survey research carried out in 2020 on a sample of 96 SMEs implementing technologies for environmental protection from the Silesian Voivodeship. Findings: The analysis and the obtained results indicate a significant positive influence of managerial environmental awareness, slightly less significant impact of final consumers and communication style in the company and significant impact of legal regulations, which may be a barrier for eco-innovation implementation. Research limitations/implications: The results provide a basis for activities to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of eco-innovation in enterprises. Limitations of the study include the subjectivity of respondents' opinions and the relatively small research sample, which may limit the generalization of the results. Practical implications: The results provide a basis for activities to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of eco-innovation in enterprises. Limitations of the study include the subjectivity of respondents' opinions and the relatively small research sample, which may limit the generalization of the results. Originality/value: The contribution of the research to the development of management sciences mainly includes the formulation and empirical verification of a set of key factors determining the process of eco-innovation implementation in SMEs in post-industrial region.

Стимулювання розвитку «озеленення» промисловості України

The object of this study is the further development of eco-innovations for the rise of industry and the economy. Emphasis is placed on the growing relevance of "green" incentives in line with climate challenges, the economical use of natural resources, as well as the need for a systematic vision of environmental issues and the implementation of international requirements. The study is based on the work of foreign scientists, international rankings and world best practices for the introduction of modern economic mechanisms of state incentives for greening the economy, green modernization, the transition to a circular model of the economy. There is a difference in the implementation of environmental policy - some local projects in Ukraine and the European approach - with the assessment of eco-innovation, systemic change, the formation of ecosystems, scaling technological solutions. The main methods used in the study are: methods of system-structural analysis, analysis and synthesis, grouping - for preliminary analysis and selection of appropriate tools in the study of the implementation of eco-innovation in Ukraine and EU countries; index valuation method and method of comparative analysis - used in the analysis of public policy to stimulate the company to "green" growth; abstract-logical method - used to establish the relationship between the need to introduce new instruments of public policy in the environmental sphere with elements of large-scale reform in the context of climate modernization of industry and to form a systematic vision of major achievements in implementing international requirements for eco-modernization of industrial enterprises. The paper analyzes the forms of international assistance that can compensate for the lack of available financial resources for the purposes of green modernization of the economy in conditions of limited financial capabilities of the state, intensification of competition for European and international environmental investments. The obtained result - a set of possible tools to stimulate Ukrainian industry - allows more systematic implementation of "greening" of Ukrainian industry, and their implementation and combination in a specific mechanism will determine the success of an industrial socially-oriented economy.