An introduction: mapping the field(s) of sustainable innovation

Abstract

This handbook seeks to take stock of, and provide further impetus to, developing academic knowledge on how technological change affects levels of ecological and social impact of human activities. The role of technology in shaping the environmental impact of societies is captured in the IPAT formula that was coined in the early 1970s (Chertow, 2000; York, Rosa and Dietz, 2003), where impact (I) results from the combination of population levels (P), levels of affluence (A), and technology (T; this comprises artefacts-machines and material objects-as well as the social practices associated with the production and use of those artefacts). Consequently, understanding the rise of such impact, as well as designing and evaluating ways of reducing it, requires an understanding of processes of innovation and technological change. Furthermore, technological change and innovation can differentially affect the social position and opportunities of human beings, both individually and in various formations (families, communities, urban areas, countries). This indicates the relevance of an integrated perspective to: (1) facilitate the understanding of various ways in which evolving technologies shape social and ecological impact; and (2) help the design and evaluation of attempts to reduce negative impacts and maximize positive impacts. Academic work in this area is widespread, and covers a range of disciplines from economics to engineering to sociology. Also, it is the key area of interest for interdisciplinary fields such as ecological economics and industrial ecology. Furthermore, it is addressed by multi-sectoral communities such as the Greening of Industry Network (GIN), Sustainable Transitions Research Network (STRN) and Sustainable Consumption Research and Action Initiative (SCORAI), where academics interact with practitioners from business organizations, governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civic organizations. This diversity is reflected in the range of labels that have been and still are in use for social processes associated with the environmental and social impact of technological change: alongside sustainable innovation, the topic is addressed as eco-innovation, environmental innovation, responsible innovation, and the greening of technological change, to provide a non-exhaustive list. Consequently, the body of work covered in this handbook is not a readily recognizable entity. In fact, as the diversity and to some extent fragmented nature of academic inquiry can be seen as a distinctive feature, we aim to map the field in a way that adequately acknowledges this. To provide a basis for our mapping, in Section 2 we outline our view on academic knowledge production, which is based in evolutionary epistemology. This leads us to expect disciplines to generate distinct conceptual lineages. The lineages that emerge from

The Collaborative Process of Sustainable Innovations under the Lens of Actor–Network Theory

“…This reassessment leads to the development of sustainable innovations (SIs), defined as innovations that significantly reduce their negative (or improve their positive) economic, environmental, and/or social effects [2,3]. The implications of SIs for managers and organizations are debated within different scientific communities [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. One question raised during these debates, which should help managers better structure the SI journey, is what a SI should be or what characteristics should it have to ensure sustainability dimensions.…”