Page 111 - Hojnik, Jana. 2017. In Persuit of Eco-innovation. Drivers and Consequences of Eco-innovation at Firm Level. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 111
Hypotheses Development
This chapter pertains to the research hypotheses, which are developed
and formulated based on prior research works on eco-innovation. Hy-
pothesized relationships and development of hypotheses will be present-
ed in two main groups, which include hypotheses about: a) the anteced-
ents of eco-innovations (environmental policy instruments, customer
demand, expected benefits, managerial environmental concern and com-
petition) in Section 5.1, and b) the consequences of eco-innovation (im-
pact of eco-innovations on firm performance, competitive benefits and
internationalization) in section 5.2. Detailed hypotheses development
and its theoretical underpinning are provided in the forthcoming pages.
Hypotheses concerning antecedents of eco-innovations
In this section, we provide theoretical arguments, which underpin hy-
potheses related to the drivers of eco-innovation. In our study we posit-
ed and tested the following determinants as driving forces of eco-innova-
tion: environmental policy instruments (Section 5.1.1), customer demand
(Section 5.1.2), managerial environmental concern (Section 5.1.3), ex-
pected benefits (Section 5.1.4) and competition (Section 5.1.5).
Environmental policy instruments and eco-innovation
Studies of environmental innovation over the last 15 years found regu-
lation to be the most important stimulus of eco-innovation (Porter and
van der Linde 1995b; Rennings 2000; Blum-Kusterer and Hussain 2001;
Madsen and Ulhøi 2001; Van Hemel and Cramer 2002; Beise and Ren-
This chapter pertains to the research hypotheses, which are developed
and formulated based on prior research works on eco-innovation. Hy-
pothesized relationships and development of hypotheses will be present-
ed in two main groups, which include hypotheses about: a) the anteced-
ents of eco-innovations (environmental policy instruments, customer
demand, expected benefits, managerial environmental concern and com-
petition) in Section 5.1, and b) the consequences of eco-innovation (im-
pact of eco-innovations on firm performance, competitive benefits and
internationalization) in section 5.2. Detailed hypotheses development
and its theoretical underpinning are provided in the forthcoming pages.
Hypotheses concerning antecedents of eco-innovations
In this section, we provide theoretical arguments, which underpin hy-
potheses related to the drivers of eco-innovation. In our study we posit-
ed and tested the following determinants as driving forces of eco-innova-
tion: environmental policy instruments (Section 5.1.1), customer demand
(Section 5.1.2), managerial environmental concern (Section 5.1.3), ex-
pected benefits (Section 5.1.4) and competition (Section 5.1.5).
Environmental policy instruments and eco-innovation
Studies of environmental innovation over the last 15 years found regu-
lation to be the most important stimulus of eco-innovation (Porter and
van der Linde 1995b; Rennings 2000; Blum-Kusterer and Hussain 2001;
Madsen and Ulhøi 2001; Van Hemel and Cramer 2002; Beise and Ren-
