Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is a term used by policy-makers and academics to refer to research and innovation that is ethically acceptable and socially desirable. Despite the fact that the vast majority of research and innovation (R&I) is funded and produced by industry, companies tend to have no awareness or recognition of this concept. This is unfortunate, as the RRI paradigm could be mutually beneficial for both business and society: it could help businesses realise competitive opportunities while also leading to positive economic, societal and environmental impacts. This paper investigates how industry can be incentivised to engage in research and innovation following the approach of RRI. We propose a matrix of incentives for stimulating the adoption of RRI. We categorise incentives according to three dichotomies: external and internal, instrumental and non-instrumental, direct and indirect. The incentives are formalised in a causal loop diagram, which can be used to demonstrate the sound character of investing in RRI from a business perspective. We discuss examples of incentives, including corporate reputation and critical consumerism, certification, employee engagement, and governance. Lastly, to ensure effective implementation of RRI, we outline factors for the realisation of successful incentives for RRI in industry.
Supply chains are an indispensable element of any global economy. At the same time such supply chains create a societal and environmental burden. Drastic actions are required to mitigate these effects. Supply chains should become responsible and sustainable (where responsibility and sustainability are understood in a broad sense) addressing economic, political, societal, legal, human rights, ethical and environmental concerns. This research shifts from the question of why companies should implement responsibility and sustainability into supply chains, to how they should do so effectively. Illustrated by a case study of Sedex, a collaborative platform for buyers and suppliers, this paper proposes three solutions for responsible and sustainable supply chain management (SCM). Firstly, supply chains have to be supported by research and innovation (R&I). Secondly, supply chains should be based on multi-stakeholder efforts of industry, governmental and non-governmental organisations. Thirdly, the responsibility should lie not only with an individual company and its employees, but also with organisations of companies (supra-agency). As a result, responsible and sustainable supply chains require technological, political and ethical solutions involving the development of sound, multi-stakeholder business and governance models. These models should be based on the equal consideration of all three dimensions of sustainability (economic, environmental and social), the cooperation of the partners in the chain, strengthening long-term relationships and legitimate requirements of the stakeholders of a supply chain.
This study derives from the results of the European Union (EU)-funded SATORI (Stakeholders Acting Together on the ethical impact assessment of Research and Innovation) project. It seeks to gain insights about, firstly, integration of the responsible innovation (RI) concept into companies’ practices; and secondly, various evaluation approaches to companies’ innovation practices that consider responsibility, ethics and sustainability. Twenty four interviews with companies and business experts were conducted to understand the ways in which companies apply principles, frameworks and evaluation practices related to RI. The results emphasize the confined character of companies’ RI practices in the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability and ethics. Moreover, the results indicate two main types of RI evaluation and control among companies, namely assessment and guidance. This paper discusses theoretical and practical implications of discrepancies in understanding and evaluating RI for large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Consequently, new approaches to RI in business are proposed, calling for strategic and responsible innovation management.
List of papers xiii1. Introduction 1.1 Responsibility in the context of business 1.2 Responsibility in the context of innovation 1.2.1 Innovation 1.2.2 Responsible Innovation 1.3 Research and methodological approach 1.3.1 Research objectives and research questions 1.3.2 Methodological approach 1.4 Detailed outline of the thesis and methodological approach per chapter 1.5 Conclusion References 2. Mainstreaming responsible innovation in business: a comparative systematic review of business ethics and innovation management literature 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Theoretical background 2.3 Methodology 2.3.1 Search criteria 2.3.2 Search strategy 2.3.3 Selection of studies 2.3.4 Data analysis 2.4 Data analysis and results: General content classification 2.4.1 Responsibility umbrella: business & innovation 2.4.2 Journals & timeline 2.4.3 Research methodologies, data analyses and theoretical lens 2.4.4 Geographical and industry setting 2.5 Data analysis and results: Thematic analysis of RI dimensions 2.5.1 Relationship between companies responsibility and innovation 2.5.2 Benefits of RI 2.5.3 Drivers of RI 2.5.4 Implementation of RI 2.6 Discussion and future research agenda 2.6.1 Perception of RI in business 2.6.2 Implementing RI in business 2.7 Conclusions References Annex
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