Eco-Innovation Influencers: Unveiling the Role of Lean Management Principles Adoption

Abstract

This study analyzes the determinant factors of eco-innovation, considering business units with different levels of technological intensity (high technology versus low technology). It aims, in the first instance, to complement the approach on the determinants of eco-innovation in the existent literature by incorporating the novelty related to the analysis of the effects arising from the adoption of the lean management principles. Specifically, it aims to analyze the effects of the previously referred to determinant factors both on the economic performance and on the innovative performance of Portuguese industrial and service companies with different levels of technological intensity (high-tech versus low-tech). The conceptual model presented is of an innovative nature, since it includes four groups of determinant factors present in the literature, namely technology, market, public policies, and cooperation relationships, and adds a fifth group of determinant factors still to be explored empirically concerning the adoption of lean management principles. In the empirical approach, five research hypotheses arising from the literature review are tested, using secondary data collected from the Community Innovation Survey (CIS)—CIS 2010 for a total sample of 334 companies, made up of 95 high-tech companies and 239 low-tech companies. The conceptual model is tested using a logistic regression method, which indicated a suitable accuracy and reliability for the purposes of empirical tests. The empirical evidence confirms that most of the groups of determinants previously identified in the literature have a significant influence on eco-innovation. In addition, the empirical evidence obtained here indicates a positive and significant effect of lean management principles on eco-innovation.

Innovation for Sustainable Entrepreneurship: Empirical Evidence from the Bioeconomy Sector in Poland

“…Eco-innovations, which are seen not only as a catalyst for these changes, but also as a key element of EU policy for sustainable development in line with the Europe 2020 strategy, play a particularly important role in supporting sustainable development, also in the bioeconomy sector (EC 2010); (Schutte 2018;Urbaniec 2015). Eco-innovations are basically the same as innovations, but they stand out in two ways: (1) eco-innovation represents innovation leading to the reduction of environmental impact, regardless of whether or not this effect is expected; (2) the scope of eco-innovation can go beyond conventional organisational barriers and cover a wider social commitment generating changes within existing socio-cultural norms and institutional structures (Colombo et al 2019;Leitão et al 2019;Smol et al 2017). This definition indicates socio-cultural and institutional contexts, among others, that often form the basis for creating standards for sustainable development.…”

“…The overall goal of eco-innovation is to prevent or reduce negative impacts on the environment, to create new market opportunities, products, services or processes aimed at improving environmental performance (e.g., saving energy and other resources, as well as to reduce pollution and waste). Their implementation depends on, among other factors, the industry, legal regulations and standards, as well as the sensitivity and environmental awareness of consumers (Bossle et al 2016;Leitão et al 2019;Scarpellini et al 2016).…”

Firm’s Sustainability and Societal Development from the Lens of Fishbone Eco-Innovation: A Moderating Role of ISO 14001-2015 Environmental Management System

“…Eco-innovation depends on several determinants, such as green demand and supply, green regulation, green collaboration, green resources, and capabilities. These predeterminants accelerate the reduction in materials, improve energy efficiency, minimize emission, improve biodiversity, and raise living standards [16,17], as well as providing competitive advantages for the firm. These factors promote the three pillars of sustainability: sustainable competitive advantages, reduction in cost, and savings in energy.…”

Life Cycle Based Comparison of Textile Ecolabels

“…During the past decades, increasing attention of the consumers to the environmental and social impacts of products resulted in an increasing adoption of sustainability practices in business, e.g., eco-innovation and lean management. The latter allow companies to reduce the environmental burden associated with their production activities, and at the same time to foster the development of new products, technologies, or business structures, which increases their overall market viability [38]. As demonstrated in recent studies, the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategies gained importance for the competitiveness in the textile sector [39][40][41][42].…”