Environmental strategies and green product development: an overview on sustainability‐driven companies

Abstract

To respond effectively and effi ciently to the environmental sustainability challenge, an important role can be played by companies, through appropriate strategies and operations, such as green processes and product development. In this paper, we investigate whether the development of green products is supported by the environmental strategic approaches adopted by sustainability-driven companies, and whether there are economic sector or geographical area specifi cities. To this purpose, fi rst we develop a taxonomy of environmental strategies and we defi ne measurable proxies for both the environmental strategic approaches identifi ed and the green product development. Then, we study a sample represented by the companies included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSWI). The methodology used is based on the content analysis of companies' websites and relevant documents, such as environmental and sustainability reports. The main result is that the levels of adoption of different environmental strategic approaches are higher for green product developers than for green product non-developers. Moreover, the most implemented strategic approaches for green product developers vary depending on the economic sector, while a more homogeneous behaviour is found from the geographical perspective.

A review on green supply chain aspects and practices

“…(Lee and Klassen, 2008) A buying organization's plans and activities that integrate environmental issues into supply chain management in order to improve the environmental performance of suppliers and customers. (Albino et al, 2009) A strategic approach addressed to extend environmental measures to the whole supply chain. (Wee et al, 2011) Integration of environment considerations into supply chain management, including product design, material sourcing and selection, manufacturing processes, delivery of the final product to the consumers, and end-of-life management of the greening products.…”

Does Sustainability Matter? A Qualitative Study in Tourism Industry in Turkey

“…Due to the increase in sustainability reports (35 percent in 1998, 45 percent in 2001, 64 percent in 2004) and sustainability indicators (Roca and Searcy, 2012), the leaders and policy makers started to address the issue of sustainability. According to Albino et al (2009), to respond efficiently and effectively to the environmental sustainability challenge, an essential role can be played by the organizations, through suitable strategies and operations, such as product development and green processes.…”

Variables Perceived by Managers as Antecedents That Lead Firms to Environmental Management: An Empirical Research in the Turkish Construction Sector

“…Of these features, as the national development level increases, it is possible that the pressure of the country on firms concerning environmental issues also increases (Albino et al, 2009;Barik and Pradhan, 1999;Sarmentoa et al, 2007;Wagner and Schaltegger 2004). As public visibility in the country for trade limitations, fines, etc.…”

“…Stakeholder pressures can be grouped under 4 main headings as international environment, national environment, local environment and business itself. International environment sub-group of stakeholder pressures comprises international customers, suppliers, competitors, aggrements, and economic, technological, socio-cultural, political, natural environment, as well as religious and moral conditions (Albino et al, 2009;Çelik, 2010;Delmas and Toffel, 2004;Denton, 1998;Hamans, 2009a;Hamans, 2009b;Hamans, 2009c;Hamans, 2009d;Hamans, 2009e;Henri ve Journeault, 2008a;Hoffman, 2000;Huybers and Bennett, 2003;IMSAD, 2010a;IMSAD, 2010b;Keskin, 2009;Mebratu, 2001;TMMOB, 2009a;Wagner and Schaltegger 2004;Yayan, 2007;Yontar, 2008). National environment sub-group of stakeholder pressures comprises national media, government, community, courts, and economic, technological, socio-cultural, political, natural environment, as well as religious and moral conditions (Barik and Pradhan, 1999;Bayram, 2009;Delmas and Toffel, 2004;European Commission release, 2010;European Construction Forum, 2010;Hamans, 2009a;Henri and Journeault, 2008a;Hoffman, 2000;IMSAD Sürdürülebilir Gündem Platformu, 2010b;IMSAD Sürdürülebilir Gündem Platformu, 2010c;Keskin, 2009;Martin, 2005 Wagner and Schaltegger 2004;Yayan, 2007).…”

“…In the present study, 3 ratios recognized as eco-efficiency ratios are used. The first eco-efficiency ratio is the ratio of energy consumption ($) to sales ($) (Albino et al, 2009;Denton, 1998;Henri and Journeault, 2008a;Henri and Journeault, 2008b;Hontou et al, 2007;Mebratu, 2001;Sarmentoa et al, 2007). The second eco-efficiency ratio is the ratio of material consumption ($) to sales ($) (Albino et al, 2009;Denton, 1998;Henri and Journeault, 2008b;Hoffman, 2000;Mebratu, 2001;Wagner and Schaltegger 2004).…”