Page 27 - Hojnik, Jana. 2017. In Persuit of Eco-innovation. Drivers and Consequences of Eco-innovation at Firm Level. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 27
Eco-innovation 27
With regard to eco-innovation activities, the survey of Eurobarome-
ter (2011) has shown that approximately three out of 10 companies in the
EU (29%) had introduced a new or significantly improved eco-innovation
production process or method in the past two years, whereas 24% had in-
troduced a new or significantly improved eco-innovative product or ser-
vice on the market. On the other hand, summarizing the Eco-Innova-
tion scoreboard, Slovenia advanced from the 10th place to the 7th between
2011 and 2012 and has remained among the best-performing new mem-
ber states, even though that some indicators have regressed (EIO 2011a;
EIO 2013b). However, in 2010 was noted an increase in the R&D in all
sectors compared to the previous year, and also number of policy meas-
ures have supported public spending on R&D and intended to reinforce
the knowledge triangle: research, education and innovation. (EIO 2011a).
While, the situation regarding eco-innovation in Slovenia has changed
over the years. Compared to 2011 and 2012, Slovenia has decreased in the
ranking, it ranked only 15th in 2013.
Review of current eco-innovation definitions
Today, most people have a general knowledge or opinion about the mean-
ing of the words “eco”, “green”, and “environmental”. Nonetheless, the
definition of eco-innovation in research is still evolving. For instance,
Rennings (2000, 322) summarizes that eco-innovations can be developed
by firms or non-profit organizations, they can be traded on markets or
not, their nature can be technological, organizational, social or institu-
tional, while the Eco-innovation Observatory (hereinafter EIO) defined
eco-innovation as “introduction of any new or significantly improved
product (good or service), process, organizational change or marketing
solution that reduces the use of natural resources (including materials,
energy, water and land) and decreases the release of harmful substances
across the lifecycle” (EIO 2010 in EIO 2013a, 2). Within the literature,
all definitions definitely acknowledge that eco-innovation contributes to
the environmental benefit or at least decreases the environmental bur-
den. The definitions proposed by various organizations and researchers
will be presented in more detail further ahead (see Table 2).
When reviewing eco-innovation in the literature, we can also notice
the use of different terms when referring to eco-innovation. Some confu-
sion still exists regarding eco-innovation’s definition as well as the terms
used for eco-innovation activities. In the review of the existing literature,
we find three synonyms implying the same meaning or addressing the
same type of innovation: “eco”/“ecological”, “green” and “environmental”
With regard to eco-innovation activities, the survey of Eurobarome-
ter (2011) has shown that approximately three out of 10 companies in the
EU (29%) had introduced a new or significantly improved eco-innovation
production process or method in the past two years, whereas 24% had in-
troduced a new or significantly improved eco-innovative product or ser-
vice on the market. On the other hand, summarizing the Eco-Innova-
tion scoreboard, Slovenia advanced from the 10th place to the 7th between
2011 and 2012 and has remained among the best-performing new mem-
ber states, even though that some indicators have regressed (EIO 2011a;
EIO 2013b). However, in 2010 was noted an increase in the R&D in all
sectors compared to the previous year, and also number of policy meas-
ures have supported public spending on R&D and intended to reinforce
the knowledge triangle: research, education and innovation. (EIO 2011a).
While, the situation regarding eco-innovation in Slovenia has changed
over the years. Compared to 2011 and 2012, Slovenia has decreased in the
ranking, it ranked only 15th in 2013.
Review of current eco-innovation definitions
Today, most people have a general knowledge or opinion about the mean-
ing of the words “eco”, “green”, and “environmental”. Nonetheless, the
definition of eco-innovation in research is still evolving. For instance,
Rennings (2000, 322) summarizes that eco-innovations can be developed
by firms or non-profit organizations, they can be traded on markets or
not, their nature can be technological, organizational, social or institu-
tional, while the Eco-innovation Observatory (hereinafter EIO) defined
eco-innovation as “introduction of any new or significantly improved
product (good or service), process, organizational change or marketing
solution that reduces the use of natural resources (including materials,
energy, water and land) and decreases the release of harmful substances
across the lifecycle” (EIO 2010 in EIO 2013a, 2). Within the literature,
all definitions definitely acknowledge that eco-innovation contributes to
the environmental benefit or at least decreases the environmental bur-
den. The definitions proposed by various organizations and researchers
will be presented in more detail further ahead (see Table 2).
When reviewing eco-innovation in the literature, we can also notice
the use of different terms when referring to eco-innovation. Some confu-
sion still exists regarding eco-innovation’s definition as well as the terms
used for eco-innovation activities. In the review of the existing literature,
we find three synonyms implying the same meaning or addressing the
same type of innovation: “eco”/“ecological”, “green” and “environmental”
