In spite of their large numbers, most SMEs have little knowledge of or interest in environmental questions and generally have difficulties when it comes to integrating environmental aspects into their activities. One way for SMEs to shift from a reactive to a proactive environmental behavior is to adopt environmental innovations. Environmental innovations consist of new or modified processes, techniques, practices, systems and products to avoid or reduce environmental harms. In this study, I focus on a particular type of innovation: organizational environmental innovations, such as an EMS in accordance with ISO 14001.One objective of this study was to understand and describe how SMEs can use a network as a basis for initiating environmental work. Another objective was to develop a model that can be used as a guideline for the adoption of an ISO 14001 EMS by SMEs collaborating in a network.

Purpose -The study, which compares the success factors for eco-innovations with those factors for other innovations, is intended to improve understanding of how eco-innovations achieve market success. Design/methodology/approach -A case study design is used. Six eco-innovations cases and six other innovations cases are compared. Data were obtained mainly from interviews with the eco-innovators and the other innovators, written materials about the innovations, and secondary data from an earlier quantitative study. Findings -The study shows that there are both similarities and differences in the success factors for the two types of innovations. One similarity is that a network with diverse competences supports successful innovators. However, for eco-innovators the network is used more for solving technological problems. Other innovators use the network to a greater extent for assistance with financing and marketing. In addition, eco-innovators have greater difficulty than other innovators in attracting venture capital for development.Research limitations/implications -The results indicate that an interesting approach for future research would be to take a life-cycle perspective that identifies the factors that influence the further growth and development of eco-innovative firms. Practical implications -The identification of the success factors for eco-innovations' development may improve their chances of success. Furthermore, the results can help policy-makers improve the support system for commercialization of eco-innovations. Originality/value -As a comparative study of success factors for eco-innovations and other innovations, the study presents a new way to identify such factors for eco-innovators.

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Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of outsourcing new product development (NPD), and specifically of factors affecting the outsourcing decisions, by exploring the practices of the most innovative firms. Design/methodology/approach -The paper draws on an internet-based survey sent in winter 2008 to 494 medium-sized firms in four industries which achieved a 77.3 percent response rate. The sample is split into the best firms and the rest, and a best practice analysis is performed with correlation analysis. Findings -The best firms focus on knowledge issues to a higher extent, while cost and geographical proximity are more important for the rest firms. The best firms prioritize knowledge integration and development of knowledge about the outsourcing process higher.Research limitations/implications -The sample is taken from medium-sized Swedish manufacturing firms. Future samples need to be expanded to further generalize the conclusions. Results show that further research combining resource and cost perspectives is needed. Practical implications -Managers are recommended to not only find access to needed knowledge, but also give time to integration on a personal level, as this protects knowledge and lowers costs in the long-run. Originality/value -Studies of outsourcing NPD are few and, to the authors' knowledge, no quantitative studies on the topic have been made.