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1 – 10 of over 1000Yating Li, Ting Chen, Xinxin Zhang and Jiahang Yuan
Eco-innovation products, which means achieving more efficient and responsible use of resources and reducing the detrimental impact on the environment, can win a competitive…
Abstract
Purpose
Eco-innovation products, which means achieving more efficient and responsible use of resources and reducing the detrimental impact on the environment, can win a competitive advantage for the enterprises. But it is not easy to implement due to the high cost of eco-innovative technologies development, the uncertainty of market needs and return risk of investment. Many enterprises seek collaborations from their upstream suppliers to jointly carry out eco-innovation, such as Apple, IBM and Nike. A unique feature of collaboration is that efforts by one party enhance the marginal value of the other party's efforts. However, the collaboration will make the partner know the eco-innovation technology and prompt the partner to encroach the market to sell competitive products by herself. Motivated by this observation, this paper considers the optimal collaboration strategy on eco-innovation between upstream and downstream supply chain member and the optimal encroachment strategy of upstream supplier in a supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper models a supply chain wherein a supplier provides products or materials for her manufacturer and cooperates with her manufacturer in eco-innovation. Also, the supplier could encroach on the market to sell similar products by herself. Then this paper uses game theory and mathematical modeling to do relative analysis.
Findings
The analysis reveals several interesting insights. First, eco-innovation collaboration makes supplier encroachment no longer only rely on the encroachment cost. The delayed realized eco-innovation efficiency information also plays a vital role. Second, different from previous research, the authors find the manufacturer's preference for supplier encroachment depends on the uncertainty of eco-innovation efficiency and potential market demand. Third, both partial and full encroachment strategies of the supplier can effectively improve the eco-innovation level.
Originality/value
The paper is the first to take the interplay between collaboration and encroachment into account in a supply chain. The results caution enterprises and policymakers to take vertical collaboration and delayed realized information into account in the competitive supply chain before making any operational decisions. Furthermore, the authors propose that governmental intervention aimed at stimulating supplier encroachment in appropriate circumstances can contribute to the improved environmental performance of products.
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Aris Nur Hermawan, Ilyas Masudin, Fien Zulfikarijah, Dian Palupi Restuputri and S. Sarifah Radiah Shariff
The study aims to determine the impact of sustainable manufacturing on environmental performance through government regulation and eco-innovation in Indonesian small and…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to determine the impact of sustainable manufacturing on environmental performance through government regulation and eco-innovation in Indonesian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Findings
The results indicate sustainable manufacturing plays a significant role in SMEs' environmental performance and regulations, and eco-innovation can moderate it. It also reveals that government regulation has a positive and significant effect on environmental performance. Moreover, eco-innovation has a positive and significant effect on environmental performance.
Practical implications
The findings of this study indicate that SMEs can embrace sustainable manufacturing practices and achieve their long-term sustainability goals by adhering to regulations, collaborating with stakeholders and implementing eco-friendly innovations.
Originality/value
This research uncovers ground-breaking perspectives on the evolution of scientific knowledge about the impact of eco-innovation, regulatory measures and sustainable manufacturing practices on the environmental performance of SMEs.
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Jude Edeh and Jesús-Peña Vinces
Firms are engaging in eco-innovation as a response to environmental concerns. Due to its complexity, firms are searching, absorbing and using externally acquired knowledge toward…
Abstract
Purpose
Firms are engaging in eco-innovation as a response to environmental concerns. Due to its complexity, firms are searching, absorbing and using externally acquired knowledge toward implementing eco-innovation. Thus, this study aims to examine how different external knowledge sources affect the eco-innovation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses an Ordered Probit regression analysis for 318 developing economy SMEs to examine the impact of vertical flows (suppliers and customers) and horizontal flows (competitors and scientific organisations) on eco-innovations.
Findings
On the vertical dimension, the results show that external knowledge from suppliers is positively associated with eco-product and eco-process innovations. However, external knowledge from customers is positively associated with eco-product innovation, but not eco-process innovation. On the horizontal dimension, external knowledge from competitors contributes to eco-process innovation, but not to eco-product innovation. Finally, external knowledge from scientific organizations is positively related to eco-product and eco-process innovations.
Originality/value
First, the study contributes to the external knowledge literature by focusing on developing country SMEs. Second, the methodology used in this study constitutes a novelty as it provides a tool that categorizes firms according to the extent of emphasis they placed on both eco-product and eco-process innovations. Finally, it offers new evidence by revealing that the effects of external knowledge on eco-innovations are differentiated and not equally beneficial to firms.
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Vera Ferrón Vilchez and Dante Ignacio Leyva de la Hiz
This chapter proposes frugal eco-innovation as an eco-efficient way into which firms might shift their existing business models, exploring how firms are able to cut costs and…
Abstract
Purpose
This chapter proposes frugal eco-innovation as an eco-efficient way into which firms might shift their existing business models, exploring how firms are able to cut costs and reduce negative environmental impacts simultaneously.
Design/methodology/approach
This work introduces the concept of frugal eco-innovation based on numerous examples about how several European companies are adopting this management perspective. These examples are obtained from these companies’ public environmental reports.
Findings
A summary of how cost reduction could be achieved by firms on the basis of frugal eco-innovation; further, the pathway for how managers could achieve an effective implementation of frugal eco-innovation.
Practical implications
By developing frugal eco-innovation, managers are able to benefit from a management alternative that is ecologically sustainable and economically profitable.
Social implications
This work highlights how frugal eco-innovation could benefit, on the one hand, firms via the achievement of cost reduction and, on the other hand, the society in general via the diminution of the negative environmental impacts generated by the business activity.
Originality/value
This work analyses a management orientation that could be implemented in order to shift business models towards a more ecological production, highlighting how firms are able to do more with less.
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Khalid Mady, Muhammad Abi Sofian Abdul Halim, Khatijah Omar, Mohamed Battour and Reda Shaker Abdelkareem
Although environmental pressures have been covered in great detail in prior literature as the drivers of eco-innovation, there remains inconsistency in the empirical results…
Abstract
Purpose
Although environmental pressures have been covered in great detail in prior literature as the drivers of eco-innovation, there remains inconsistency in the empirical results concerning the effects of these pressures on eco-innovation behaviour. Hence, this paper aims to investigate the impact of environmental pressures, namely, regulatory pressure, green demand and competitive pressure, on eco-innovation among manufacturing SMEs. Moreover, it examined the mediating role of environmental capabilities on the environmental pressure–eco-innovation relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative data were collected using an online self-reported questionnaire survey to test the hypothesised model. A total of 183 valid questionnaires were collected from managers and owners of manufacturing SMEs in Egypt.
Findings
The results of the data analysis using the Smart-PLS software package revealed that among environmental pressures, only green demand had a direct effect on eco-innovation. In addition, environmental capabilities only mediated the effect of competitive pressure on eco-innovation.
Originality/value
This study has been one of the few addressing the issue of how the drivers of eco-innovation interact. It has also provided the managers and owners of SMEs and policymakers with practical implications.
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Marek Michalski, Jose Luis Montes-Botella and Whashington Guevara Piedra
This article presents a new approach to modeling the relationships of eco-innovation. The impact of eco-innovation on organizational performance is well known, but the opposite…
Abstract
Purpose
This article presents a new approach to modeling the relationships of eco-innovation. The impact of eco-innovation on organizational performance is well known, but the opposite direction has not been explored.
Design/methodology/approach
The research used an online questionnaire survey emailed to 100 Ecuadorian managers. Data obtained from the 62 respondents were analyzed through structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results confirm that while eco-innovation increases company performance, higher performance is negatively related to eco-innovation, with managers preferring to dedicate company resources to projects with more significant benefits and lower outlay.
Research limitations/implications
This study was conducted in one country, so generalizability may be limited. Moreover, the cross-sectional data prevent inferences of causality.
Practical implications
Eco-innovation activities are important to managers and can help them with a new definition of company strategy. The findings confirm that eco-innovation drives performance but not vice versa. It could be necessary to modify the strategy to create a sustainable business.
Originality/value
The results elucidate both directions of the relationship between eco-innovation and performance, representing a new contribution to the literature. The results also confirm that eco-innovation activities are valuable tools in building and developing emerging economies.
Propósito
Este documento presenta un nuevo enfoque del modelo de la eco-innovación. La relación entre la eco-innovación y el resultado empresarial es bien conocida. Sin embargo, la relación inversa no ha sido investigada con la misma dedicación.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
En nuestra investigación utilizamos el método de encuesta electrónica. Se enviaron cuestionarios a 100 gerentes ecuatorianos, recibiendo las 62 respuestas válidas. Los datos obtenidos se analizaron mediante modelos de ecuaciones estructurales.
Hallazgos
Los resultados confirman que las eco-innovaciones aumentan el resultado de la empresa. Sin embargo, la relación inversa tiene signo negativo; en este contexto, los directivos prefieren dedicar los recursos de la empresa a diferentes proyectos con mayores beneficios y menor gasto que aquellos centrados en la eco-innovación.
Originalidad
Nuestros resultados completan el análisis de las relaciones entre la eco-innovación y el rendimiento empresarial y representan una nueva contribución a la Academia. Los resultados también confirman que las actividades de eco-innovaciones son herramientas valiosas para construir y desarrollar economías en mercados emergentes.
Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación
Este estudio se realizó en un entorno específico de un país, por lo que las generalizaciones son limitadas. Nuestros datos son intersectoriales, lo que dificulta establecer relaciones de causalidad.
Implicaciones prácticas
Los resultados de las actividades relacionadas con la eco-innovación son importantes para los gerentes y pueden ayudarlos redefinir la estrategia de la empresa. Los resultados confirman que la eco-innovación impulsa el rendimiento y muestra que no existe la misma relación entre el rendimiento y las eco-innovaciones. Se podría sugerir que es necesario modificar su estrategia para crear un negocio sostenible.
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Gonzalo Maldonado Guzmám and Sandra Yesenia Pinzón Castro
Eco-innovation is emerging as one of the most important constructs that improve environmental sustainability of firms. However, it has been shown that companies alone cannot…
Abstract
Purpose
Eco-innovation is emerging as one of the most important constructs that improve environmental sustainability of firms. However, it has been shown that companies alone cannot adequately develop eco-innovation activities, which is why they require the implementation of external collaboration activities with intermediaries, suppliers and stakeholders to achieve a higher level of eco-innovation activities and improve business performance of manufacturing firms. Therefore, this research fills this gap by exploring the importance of the relationship between collaboration and eco-innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is conducted through an extensive literature review with a research model consisting of 5 measurement scales, 24 items and 4 hypotheses. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 460 firms in Mexico, analyzing the data set through confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation models.
Findings
The results obtained from this study suggest that collaboration has significant positive effects both on the eco-innovation of products, processes and management, as well as on the business performance of companies in the automotive industry.
Practical implications
The findings of this study have important implications both for the public administration (e.g. development of policies to support companies and financing programs) and for the managers of companies in the automotive industry (e.g. training program for employees and collaboration with other firms).
Originality/value
This paper fills a research gap by expanding the limited body of knowledge that relates collaboration eco-innovation and business performance, which is why this research aims to fill this existing gap in the literature and explore the relationship between collaboration, eco-innovation and business performance.
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Aurora Martínez-Martínez, Juan-Gabriel Cegarra-Navarro, Alexeis Garcia-Perez and Tiphaine De Valon
This study contributes to current efforts to design and implement sustainable innovation strategies in organisations from the textile industry. This study aims to examine how…
Abstract
Purpose
This study contributes to current efforts to design and implement sustainable innovation strategies in organisations from the textile industry. This study aims to examine how businesses can overcome the current challenges (e.g. lack of resources) of sustainable innovation by the incorporation of green knowledge of customers into their value co-creation strategies. Such strategies are based on actively listening to customers and addressing their expectations with regard to environmental sustainability, in particular in the face of the negative environmental impact of the fast-fashion industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The findings of this study are derived from the analysis of data collected from 208 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Spanish textile sector. A partial least squares structural equation modeling analysis was conducted using version 3.3.3 of the SmartPLS software.
Findings
This paper contributes to the literature on environmental sustainability by informing SME eco-innovation through the active listening of their customers’ perceptions while implementing value co-creation strategies. The research has found that engaging with customers and actively listening and addressing their expectations can result in the creation of green knowledge that contributes to both incremental and radical eco-innovation in the textile sector.
Practical implications
This study found that when organisations from the sector lack eco-innovation capabilities, their existing and often their potential customer base is able to acquire new environmental knowledge and transfer it to the business through a process of value co-creation. The research also found that such green knowledge has the potential to lead to eco-innovation in the sector. In other words, the value co-creation process between the textile industry and its customers is a driver of the eco-innovations required to reduce the environmental impact of the sector, helping it address both its sustainability and its ethical challenges.
Originality/value
This study proposes that co-creation challenges such as the lack of resources, funding, qualified staff or technologies motivate companies in the textile sector to collaborate with their customers to seek joint solutions.
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Fernando Almeida and Jahangir Wasim
Eco-innovation has been identified as a source of gaining a competitive advantage on a global scale. To build upon that, this study aims to deepen the understanding of…
Abstract
Purpose
Eco-innovation has been identified as a source of gaining a competitive advantage on a global scale. To build upon that, this study aims to deepen the understanding of eco-innovation in the context of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and investigates the impact of having a clear eco-innovation strategy on a company's sustainability and performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 249 SMEs located in Portugal and the UK participated and structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to explore the relationship among the constructs.
Findings
The findings reveal that both internal and external factors influence the design of an eco-innovation strategy. However, the relevance of external factors seemed to be more significant for Portuguese SMEs. This study concludes that product/process eco-innovations and green innovation systems are determinants for sustainable performance in SMEs. In contrast, the environmental technologies and organisational eco-innovation dimensions are not determinants. This is observed both in Portuguese and UK SMEs.
Originality/value
Most studies in the field tend to explore the role of eco-innovation in large organisations. This study takes a different approach by exploring its impacts on the sustainable business performance of SMEs. Furthermore, it combines data from two countries, which constitutes a strength and gives the opportunity to explore this phenomenon empirically.
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Nitika Sharma, Arminda Paço and Pradeep Kautish
This study intends to contribute to the literature of eco-innovation by examining the pro-environmental intentions and behaviour among consumers through their understanding of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study intends to contribute to the literature of eco-innovation by examining the pro-environmental intentions and behaviour among consumers through their understanding of eco-innovation. Thus, the relationship among eco-innovation, general pro-social attitude, generativity, environmental concern, purchasing intentions and buying environmentally friendly products and the differences of the relationship between high and low emotional loyalty and Generation Y and Z were investigated via structural equation modelling (SEM).
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through an online questionnaire directed to Indian consumers, and analysis was done through partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) in two stages, i.e. measurement model and structural model.
Findings
Results confirm the relationships established in the proposed model, and some differences were found between the levels of emotional loyalty and the Generations Y and Z. The research shows that individualistic norms and perceived marketplace influence play a purposeful role in transforming environmental concerns into buying behaviour towards eco-innovation-driven products.
Practical implications
From a policy and management perspective, the results not only imply the importance of continuous performance and environmental improvement but also those policies hindering diffusion and adoption need to be addressed. Green buying is an elusive task but can be opportunely attained by marketers by adding elements of eco-innovations and understanding mindsets of consumers to create win–win situations for themselves and consumers.
Originality/value
The results reinforced that emotional loyalty and Generations Y and Z vitally impact consumers' green buying decision within the framework of eco-innovation and cognitive factors.
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