Technological Eco-innovation Research Articles

An Integrated Methodology Model for Smart Mobility System Applied to Sustainable Tourism

This work aims to analyze the impact of technological eco-innovation on the modernization and development of a local area. The role of eco-innovation would be to stimulate an innovative environment and spur a development of the territory and economic districts, and the diffusion of said particularities among wider geographic contexts, hence allowing a globalization model more observant of local specificities, and thus an open system able to develop economic and cultural exchange respecting local particularities. In recent years, smart city has asserted itself as a general model for the city of tomorrow, and sustainability has become a focal point in urban development policies. In this paper, we investigate how an integrated and intermodal methodology for the development of smart mobility systems—the European project “Life for Silver Coast”—is impacting the modernization and development of an Italian coastal area in Tuscany. The main focus of our paper is to understand how an integrated mobility network allows a transition toward a sustainable form of social relationship and a new economic pattern and could represent the starting point for a spatial, relational and institutional reorganization process that would lead to a change in the production and management dynamics of the local ecosystem concerning cultural, social and economic issues.

The Impact of Proactive Environmental Strategy on Competitive and Sustainable Development of Organizations

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact of proactive environmental strategy, competitive differentiation advantage & cost-leadership competitive advantage for the competitive, sustainable development of an organization in terms of its performances, for instance, product strategy, production, process & financial performances. We incorporated technological eco-innovation as a mediating factor & corporate image as a moderator between exogenous & endogenous variables. We have collected 798 responses from China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. For the data analyses, we employed a structural equation modeling-based multivariate approach and conditional process modeling. The novelty and significance of the undertaken study rested in multifaceted outcomes; for instance, the proactive environmental strategy, the competitive advantage of differentiation & competitive advantage of cost leadership have a significant & positive impact on the sustainable development of an organization in terms of its performances, for example, product strategic, production & financial performances. The findings further demonstrate that technological eco-innovation as a mediating factor & corporate image as a moderating factor played vital and significant influencers between exogenous and endogenous variables. Finally, the Toda- Yamamoto causality showed the two-ways directionality between exogenous & endogenous variables. The outcomes have provided critical practical and societal implications for the industry and society. The companies may incorporate the environment as a cornerstone in short & longterm strategies for sustainable development. On the other hand, organizations may provide an eco-friendly environment to society.

Technological and non-technological trends in fashion eco-innovations

PurposeThe fashion industry is diverse and demands a high amount of resources and labor for its operation. It has powerful tools that can positively impact the environment and society as a whole. In this sense, it becomes necessary for fashion to adopt sustainable strategies quickly. One way would be the adoption of eco-innovations by companies in the sector. The objective of this research is to identify the main eco-innovation initiatives carried out by companies in the fashion sector and to verify what the trend is in the sector in relation to the types of eco-innovation, whether technological or non-technological in nature.Design/methodology/approachTo meet the objective, the sector’s sustainability reports are analyzed based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) initiative. The method used to treat the data is content analysis. The authors chose to use the GRI-G4 and GRI-Standards versions of the GRI structure, as they include topics relevant to its stakeholders. The analysis based on these criteria considers 18 reports prepared by four companies (Cia Hering, Grupo Malwee, Dudalina and Lojas Renner).FindingsFrom the data analysis, it was noticed that eco-innovations of technological trends prevail in Brazilian fashion, in the first place, those of process (24.56%), followed by eco-innovations of product (10.53%). The pressure exerted by internal or external stakeholders will be fueled by the current scenario of sustainable development, positively influencing the adoption of eco-innovation. This characteristic can be attributed to the fashion sector, since technological eco-innovations overlap with non-technological ones in all the years that make up the analysis.Research limitations/implicationsAs limitations of this research, it is worth mentioning the availability of GRIs in the fashion sector. Even considering it a step forward, noting that larger companies support the adoption of these reports, it is important to highlight that only four companies make up the available database (Cia Hering, Lojas Renner, Dudalina and Malwee). From the adoption of the dissemination of sustainability reports by other organizations, the base could be expanded.Practical implicationsFrom this study, practical questions emerge that can contribute to managers and companies in the Brazilian fashion sector. Initially, the focus on eco-innovations is predominantly related to the technological component, with an emphasis on process eco-innovations. In this sense, business actions seek to resolve the accusations normally attributed to the sector, such as the adoption of unsustainable practices. For example, in cotton production, firms use large amounts of pesticides and water, despite the sector being accused of not taking proper responsibility regarding sustainability related issues.Social implicationsInvestment in eco-innovations indicates a positive attitude and change resulting from pressure and the need to return the market to society’s demands for more sustainable production technologies with less environmental impact.Originality/valueThe originality of the study lies in the systematization of a GRI analysis model applied to measure eco-innovations in fashion. Through the applied methodology, it is possible to emphasize that eco-innovations of technological trend prevail in the industry, first in processes and then in product development.

Barriers and facilitators of technological eco-innovations: a multilevel analysis in a Brazilian cosmetics company

PurposeThis study analyzed the multilevel barriers and facilitators of technological eco-innovations.Design/methodology/approachThe authors carried out an in-depth case study in a Brazilian cosmetics company, recognized for its eco-innovative initiatives, which has the technological eco-innovation of products as a central sustainability strategy.FindingsThe results contribute to the existing literature, showing that multilevel analysis is effective for minimizing barriers and increasing facilitators, especially through the company's adoption of an eco-innovation strategy and planning methodologies. The authors identified four groups of barriers: market, raw material, governmental and company's internal factors; and four groups of facilitators: legislation, market and technological innovation, communication and environmental management.Originality/valueThe original research results contribute both to the literature and to the companies that aim to implement eco-innovative measures. The results showed that the adoption of innovation strategies and planning methodologies by the company can minimize barriers and enhance facilitators. In addition the fact is that barriers and facilitators of implementing eco-innovations are dynamic factors that require continuous monitoring since they can be a barrier in one circumstance and a facilitator in another.

Assessment of environmental and economic benefits of packaging waste system in Italy

The paper quantifies social costs and social benefits of packaging waste management system in Italy from 2015 to 2030. Future social costs and benefits are estimated based on the growth of waste generated and on the stringency of recycling and landfilling targets. Packaging waste generation is projected based on macroeconomic factors, consumer practices and technological eco-innovations. Social benefits are derived by the reduction of externalities' correspondent to the achievement of packaging waste management targets. We quantify two environmental ben-efits: avoided emissions and raw materials saved. We find that social costs may rise substan-tially in the future, as total system's operations costs in 2030 may increase by 48% with re-spect to 2015, due to the growth in the quantities of packaging waste generated. Meeting recy-cling and landfilling targets set by the new Circular Economy Package would imply a further 5% increase in total social costs in 2015. This latter increase is more than compensated by so-cial benefits related to the reduction in externalities due to more stringent targets.

Eco-innovations and sustainability in solid waste management: An indian upfront in technological, organizational, start-ups and financial framework

Technological interventions and eco-innovative solutions are necessary to cope with the adverse environmental impacts of waste accumulation. The notion to consider “waste as a resource and recycling of the same for getting the value of the waste” has truly transformed the approach towards solid waste management (SWM). Technological eco-innovations rely on the automation of waste segregation, collection, route optimization, digital apps for creating communication (enhanced efficiency by 40–85%) and treatment technologies. The regulatory framework with amendments in rules, new policies, schemes, smart city missions are responsible for the implementation of “Tech-innovations” at the ground level and has shown societal benefits. India has significantly shown progress in sustainable development goals (SDGs) score from 50.93 to 60.23 (year 2000–2019). The innovative and sustainable waste management practices in India have increased contribution to renewable energy (approx. 2554 MW/annum), 15-billion-USD business opportunity by the circular economy, 25–30% resale profit from processed E-waste, increased co-operative collaborations, trailblazing start-ups, improved SDG 3,7,8,9,11,12,13, improved market for green products and services, brilliant institutional and regional innovations addressing the issue of climate change. The present article critically reviews the exemplary eco-innovations (technological and non-technological) including resource recovery and viable technologies for SWM in India. The review also illustrates the lacunae (in awareness, bioproducts adoption and advanced technologies), recommendations based on findings and future research areas. The paper can also assist researchers, entrepreneurs and the policy makers for improving the status of SWM in India as well as other developing countries with the same societal and economic status.

A holistic technological eco-innovation methodology for industrial symbiosis development

Technological eco-innovation plays a crucial role in improving economic-environmental performance by increasing the resource efficiency. Holistic eco-innovative approaches are more effective than focused ones because they address the product, process, and organizational dimensions simultaneously, and thus, engender better economic-environmental performance. Accordingly, we propose a holistic methodology to improve resource efficiency in production systems by concurrently evaluating three dimensions, namely, introducing new products, reducing process inefficiencies, and creating value through waste exchange within the framework of industrial symbiosis. Thus, industrial symbiosis becomes a part of a holistic eco-innovative strategy by primarily supporting organizational eco-innovation, rather than a stand-alone concept. In this study, the developed methodology follows a combination of an abductive approach and action research through cooperation with an Italian company, which is the object of our case study for observing the effectiveness of the holistic approach. The case study highlights the twofold aspects of resource efficiency improvement, namely, value creation through inefficiency reduction and implementing industrial symbiosis partnerships. Our findings show that addressing both aspects simultaneously can lead to better economic-environmental performance. Moreover, integrating industrial symbiosis with a resource efficiency improvement strategy increases the coordination of eco-innovation actions and can lead to better investment allocation.

Relational Capability, Technological Eco-innovation and Performance: Evidence from Polish Green Companies

The paper presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of the impact of relational capability on the relationship between technological eco-innovation and financial performance of Polish green companies. The research model contains both radical and incremental eco-innovations.

Measurements and Trends in Technological Eco-Innovation: Evidence from Environment-Related Patents

The concept of eco-innovation addresses a reduction in negative environmental impacts and the more efficient use of resources. As an integral part of eco-innovation, green technologies are receiving increasing attention due to growing environmental concerns. Patent data are one of the measures of the output of technological eco-innovation. However, understanding the patenting of eco-innovation comes with challenges. The aim of this study is to measure the output of eco-innovation and to analyse the trends in green technologies based on environment-related patents in the world’s leading countries from 2000 to 2017. For this research, a range of data collection techniques based on patent data from leading countries such as China, Korea, Japan, United States and Germany were employed. The study provides a comprehensive overview of changes and trends in the development of environmental technologies using different domains. In particular, significant progress has been made in the areas of environmental technologies and climate change mitigation technologies related to energy generation, transmission or distribution. These technologies are closely linked to international environmental policies such as climate change mitigation and green industry transformation. The study also contributes to the literature on measuring the output of eco-innovation.

The Drivers of Technological Eco-Innovation—Dynamic Capabilities and Leadership

In the paper, a theoretical framework that combines the multidimensional conceptualization of dynamic capabilities (sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring) with two leadership styles (transactional and transformational) and two types of eco-innovation (incremental and radical) was developed and empirically tested. The purpose of this study is to answer the key question: how different leadership styles influence the potential of dynamic capabilities to generate ecological changes. The research examining the theoretical framework was quantitative and was based on a deliberately selection of the sample, which included 54 of the most evo-innovative Polish companies. The results indicate that transformational leadership moderates the positive relationship between seizing capability and both incremental and radical technological eco-innovation, whereas transactional leadership moderates the positive relationship between reconfiguring capability and both types of analyzed changes. This paper contributes to the development of the literature by integrating three theoretical concepts, showing the importance of a given leadership style as a factor enhancing the potential of dynamic capabilities for the development of technological eco-innovation. Moreover, the study may be a contribution to a broader discussion on the specifics of eco-innovative activity and its behavioral conditions.

The Combinative Effect of Organizational and Technological Eco-innovations in R&D-intensive Companies

This study aims to investigate the influence of organizational and process eco-innovations on the introduction of product eco-innovations in R&D-intensive companies. We covered theory gaps by empirically demonstrating to what extent non-technological and technological eco-innovations are related. We used the Survey method to investigate a sample of Brazilian manufacturers from the electrical and electronics sectors, and we processed the data through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings of this study evidenced that non-technological eco-innovations are able to influence technological eco-innovations, both process and product, suggesting that the organizational eco-innovation strategy leads to sustainable technological path dependence in R&D-intensive companies. Additionally, findings demonstrated that the association between organizational and product eco-innovation is stronger whether mediated by process eco-innovation, so the result confirms an evolutionary perspective regarding the differentiated types of eco-innovation. We conclude that by investing in eco-innovative R&D projects, new environmental systems, teams' formation, information flow, and trends monitoring, the company creates a path dependence for technological eco-innovation of process and products.

Cooperation as the Secret Ingredient in the Recipe to Foster Internal Technological Eco-Innovation in the Agri-Food Industry.

Although eco-innovation in the agri-food sector is receiving increasing amounts of attention, there is a lack of information about the specific conditions that encourage firms to develop eco-innovation strategies internally. Our empirical method relies on the data of Spanish firms operating in the agri-food sector, and uses the Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). Specifically, we identify the recipes of antecedent conditions that effectively foster the internal development of technological eco-innovation, and then we analyze whether differences exist in the internal development of product and process eco-innovations. The results show that different combinations of conditions can yield internally developed eco-innovation, but all of them indicate that cooperation with stakeholders is the key to fostering technological eco-innovation in this industry. This conclusion encourages the creation of policies and incentives to promote cooperation in order to improve the sustainability of the sector.

Improving Firms’ Performance and Sustainability: The Case of Eco-Innovation in the Agri-Food Industry

Companies’ environmental responsibility has significantly increased in the last decade. However, the question about the benefits that this responsible decision has on the company’s performance in the market remains. In this scenario, the main goal of this study is to analyze the conditions that improve the performance of companies in the agri-food industry, paying specific attention to technological eco-innovation and different types of cooperation (in the use and in the development of eco-innovations). Our initial sample contains data of agri-food companies operating in Spain. The Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) has been used as a new path for the analysis of firm’s data. Company performance has been considered by using a construct including three variables (increase in the sales, company profitability and cost reduction). Results show that the conditions that largely benefit company performance are R&D spending and the development of technological eco-innovation. Cooperation in the development and use of eco-innovations are especially important for the smaller companies, with the larger companies in the sector relying both in cooperation and in their own resources. The different recipes which improve the performance, as well as the sustainability of the sector, are presented in this study.

Many or trusted partners for eco-innovation? The influence of breadth and depth of firms' knowledge network in the food sector

Although literature on open eco-innovation has recently increased, empirical research on this topic in traditional low-tech sectors is still relatively scarce. The present paper examines how open innovation activities can promote eco-innovations in the food industry, an industry that is sometimes considered a technological laggard with traditionally low cooperation. The paper focuses on the relationship between a firm's interactions with stakeholders, particularly the breadth and the depth of the firm's knowledge network and the firm's propensity to develop different types of eco-innovations. Using a novel and more accurate measure of breadth and depth and addressing endogeneity with instrumental variables, the paper studies their influence on technological eco-innovation in a random sample of 279 food firms in Spain. The results show that coordination difficulties and bounded rationality explain an inverted U shape in the relationship of breadth of external knowledge sources and the propensity to eco-innovate both in product and process eco-innovations. Additionally, our findings confirm that it is important to rely on deep, frequent and intense relationships with stakeholders in order to create the required atmosphere to foster fluent knowledge sharing among partners specially to develop eco-process innovations, but a learning effect appears. Future research should extend the analysis to other countries and sectors to address the limitations of this study.

Proactive Environmental Strategy, Technological Eco-Innovation and Firm Performance—Case of Poland

Nowadays, scholars exploring the relationship between proactive environmental strategy and firm competitiveness do not focus on the question of whether it pays to be green but rather investigate when, for whom or how it does so. This paper analyzes the links between proactive environmental strategy, technological eco-innovation and firm performance. In particular, it examines the influence of proactive environmental strategy on firm performance and explores this relationship through technological eco-innovation. A research model has been developed and tested using a sample of 292 firms operating in Poland. In order to test the proposed research model and hypotheses, structural equation modeling using partial least squares has been employed. The findings do not confirm that proactive environmental strategy directly affects firm performance. However, the results show the significant mediating role of technological eco-innovation in this relationship. Since the technological eco-innovation reduces environmental impact and improves business performance, this research proves that it simultaneously contributes to environmental and economic pillars of sustainable development.

Interorganizational Cooperation, Knowledge Sharing, and Technological Eco-Innovation: the Role of Proactive Environmental Strategy – Empirical Evidence from Poland

Although previous research has suggested that interorganizational cooperation and knowledge sharing may affect technological eco-innovation or proactive environmental strategy, there is little understanding of the interconnectedness of these variables. This paper investigates the links between interorganizational cooperation, knowledge sharing, proactive environmental strategy, and technological eco-innovation. In particular, it examines the infl uence of interorganizational cooperation and knowledge sharing on technological eco-innovation and explores these relationships through proactive environmental strategy. A research model has been developed and tested on a sample of 292 fi rms operating in Poland. In order to test the proposed research model and hypotheses, structural equation modeling using partial least squares has been applied. The fi ndings indicate direct effects of interorganizational cooperation and knowledge sharing on proactive environmental strategy. However, the obtained results do not prove that interorganizational cooperation directly affects technological eco-innovation. Nevertheless, the study has shown the signifi cant mediating role of proactive environmental strategy in relationships between interorganizational cooperation, knowledge sharing, and technological eco-innovation. Since proactive environmental strategy powerfully fuels technological eco-innovation and signifi cantly mediates links between interorganizational cooperation, knowledge sharing, and technological eco-innovation, this research proves that it constitutes a unique organizational capability that may improve transformation of knowledge into better environmental and economic performance.

The World Trends In Eco-Innovation Assessment

In this paper the results of eco-innovation assessment were analyzed. Eco-innovations are considered as a solutions to minimize the negative impact on the environment to a greater degree than their previous counterparts. For this reason, the eco-innovations include in particular: pollution prevention, pollution control, cleaning technology, cleaner technology, environmentally improved products, loop closing, environmental management systems, waste management, environmental optimisation of production chain, system innovation. The big number of different indicators makes the decision-making in strategic management is difficult but needed. The own researches aimed at identification of leading trends in eco-innovation assessment and interest revealed by world companies. The own literature study on the results generated after application of eco-innovation indicators delivers significant knowledge on the international research trends. The subject of this work are 18 scientific papers published after the successful realization of eco-innovation projects. They have been analyzed in the context of 34 key findings. Among the identified and included into the analysis of criterion on assessment of interest in eco-innovations are: technological eco-innovations, management/system eco-innovation, process eco-innovation, external stakeholders role in supporting eco-innovation, competitive advantage as a benefit from eco-innovations. The results of researches realized in this paper show that eco-innovative technologies have the biggest importance for the world companies. Thus the present trends show increasing role of technological solutions when comparing with management/system and process solutions.

Eco-innovative design method for process engineering

Due to the environmental issues, innovation is one way to challenge eco-friendly technologies, create new process options which are needed to meet the increasing demands for sustainable production. To accelerate and improve eco-innovative design, there is a need for the computer aided eco-innovation tools to support engineers in the preliminary design phase. Currently, several computer aided innovation tools with a clear focus on specific innovation tasks exist but very few of them deal with the eco-innovation issues. Therefore the purpose of this paper is to present the development of a computer aided model based preliminary design methodology focused on technological eco-innovation for chemical engineering. This methodology is based on modified tools of the structured TRIZ theory. The general systematic framework gives the same level of importance, to the technological and environmental requirements during the conceptual design phase. Integrating environment oriented design approach at the earliest, in the design phase, is essential for product effectiveness and future development. The methodology employs a decomposition based solution approach in hierarchical steps by analysing the problem faced, formulation of the problem and the generation of possible and feasible ideas. At each step, various methods and tools will be needed. In this paper some existing tools are adapted to chemical engineering and some tools of the structured TRIZ theory are modified and improved to build a specific methodology oriented towards the increasing technological complexity and environmental issues of current designs.Undoubtedly, the selection of materials and substances for a particular generated concept, mainly affects the structure, mechanical factors (processability and dimensions) and the environmental impact. In order to deal with these environmental criteria, the resources and their impacts are considered in the upstream phase of the design process and are introduced as constraints in our model.To highlight its capabilities, the methodology is illustrated through a case study dedicated to tars and ashes issues in biomass gasification.

An R&D Management Framework for Eco-Technology

Although research and development (R&D) affects new value-added creation, including that related to environmental aspects, there is little literature dealing with the integration of R&D management and eco-value. Here, eco-value of technology is defined as the advantage of environmental competitiveness in the market. This paper proposes a framework of R&D management of eco-technology (RDMOET), consisting of: (1) future research for sustainability; (2) making an original eco-theme portfolio and roadmap; (3) gap analysis and implementation of new eco-themes; and (4) eco-value evaluation. (1) and (4) are new processes compared with conventional R&D management. Through practice at the Corporate R&D Center of Toshiba Corporation, the usefulness of the proposed framework is verified from the viewpoint of not only technological eco-innovation, but also that of organizational learning for environmental sustainability.