Life Cycle Assessment as Entrepreneurial Tool for Business Management and Green Innovations

Abstract

A transition for a green economy has encouraged companies to use new tools which promote internal corporate entrepreneurship, increase the competitiveness and achieve sustainable results. This article presented a theoretical discussion of how the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can presents as an entrepreneurial tool for modern business management and green innovation. Studies of LCA were analyzed showing benefits and applications in the areas of strategic planning, production, process of development of products, search and development, social and environmental responsibility, and marketing. As for green innovations, there were analyzed studies of innovations in products, processes and services. The tool assists in making sustainable decisions, fortifies the management of the business processes, the management of operations and the promotion of greener innovations

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a tool for business strategy

“…Complementing, for Piekarski et al (2013), the economic and social development can be supported by entrepreneurial actions, including new tools that will assist in organization strategies.…”

“…In optics of Piekarski et al (2013), the LCA can be utilized as support to the overall planning of the company. LCA can used in the motivation of entrepreneurship, marketing strategies, in the assessment of new production systems and improving the performance of production processes, in addition to cooperate in the design and development of products.…”

“…Basson and Pietre (2007) consider the use of LCA indicators as extreme value in the model formulation, as a guide for decision-making. For Piekarski et al (2013) the use of sustainable tools in an entrepreneurial approach can be used in order to reach competitive advantages, supporting in the decision-making process, especially in the areas of processes and operations. : 10.14807/ijmp.v5i3.186 …”

“…In addition to the range of studies with practical applications of LCA, also increasing approaches in order to discuss the theoretical panorama of LCA, as shown by Cabeza et al (2014); Piekarski et al (2013) ;Bribián, Usón and Scarpellini (2009) ;Benedetto and Klemes (2009) ;Roy et al (2009);Tillman (2000). Such studies highlight the quality of implementation and the preoccupation with environmental aspects.…”

“…In this way, according to Piekarski et al (2013), a broad overview of processes, strategic, enterprising and responsible must consider the entire load involved in the life cycle of the product or service, not just the environmental impact generated by the production process or even by the extraction of resources needed for its production.…”