Page 28 - Hojnik, Jana. 2017. In Persuit of Eco-innovation. Drivers and Consequences of Eco-innovation at Firm Level. Koper: University of Primorska Press
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In Pursuit of Eco-innovation
innovation. Through our study, we will use interchangeably all three ex-
pressions, and we will also clarify the difference between eco/green/envi-
ronmental and sustainable innovation. The use of these synonyms (eco,
green and environmental innovation) depends largely on how each indi-
vidual researcher addresses the same type of innovation. Here we brief-
ly present the research of Angelo et al. (2012), who have done a litera-
ture review focusing on eco, green and environmental innovation and on
the frequency of used terms. Reviewing scientific articles published up to
the year 2012 using the terms “environmental innovation”, “green inno-
vation” and “eco-innovation” revealed that the term “environmental in-
novation” is used in 65% of the analyzed articles, followed by the term
“eco-innovation” (22%) and finally “green innovation” (13%). Likewise,
Schiederig et al. (2012) have also noted confusion about different notions
28 and terminology in describing innovations that have a reduced negative
impact on the environment. Thus, the terms green, eco/ecological and en-
vironmental innovation are used as synonyms, and they suggest that we
should be aware of the broader concept of sustainable innovation, which
also includes a social dimension (Schiederig et al. 2012). Further ahead,
we explain the main difference between eco-innovation and sustainable
innovation. We cite a few brief but meaningful definitions and conclude
with a summary of the difference between eco-innovation and sustain-
able innovation. James (1997 in Charter and Clark 2007, 9) has defined
eco-innovation as the “process of developing new products, processes or
services which provide customer and business value but significantly de-
crease environmental impact”. Moreover, eco-innovation can be consid-
ered as “any form of innovation aiming at significant and demonstrable
progress towards the goal of sustainable development, through reducing
impacts on the environment or achieving a more efficient and responsible
use of natural resources, including energy” (Competitiveness and Innova-
tion Framework (2007 to 2013) in Charter and Clark 2007, 9). The main
differences between eco-innovation and sustainable innovation therefore
lie in the different dimensions they encompass. Eco-innovation address-
es economic and environmental dimensions, while sustainable innova-
tion includes these as well as two broader dimensions: social and ethical
(Charter and Clark 2007). Table 2 illustrates all the selected definitions
of eco-innovation encompassed in our literature review.
innovation. Through our study, we will use interchangeably all three ex-
pressions, and we will also clarify the difference between eco/green/envi-
ronmental and sustainable innovation. The use of these synonyms (eco,
green and environmental innovation) depends largely on how each indi-
vidual researcher addresses the same type of innovation. Here we brief-
ly present the research of Angelo et al. (2012), who have done a litera-
ture review focusing on eco, green and environmental innovation and on
the frequency of used terms. Reviewing scientific articles published up to
the year 2012 using the terms “environmental innovation”, “green inno-
vation” and “eco-innovation” revealed that the term “environmental in-
novation” is used in 65% of the analyzed articles, followed by the term
“eco-innovation” (22%) and finally “green innovation” (13%). Likewise,
Schiederig et al. (2012) have also noted confusion about different notions
28 and terminology in describing innovations that have a reduced negative
impact on the environment. Thus, the terms green, eco/ecological and en-
vironmental innovation are used as synonyms, and they suggest that we
should be aware of the broader concept of sustainable innovation, which
also includes a social dimension (Schiederig et al. 2012). Further ahead,
we explain the main difference between eco-innovation and sustainable
innovation. We cite a few brief but meaningful definitions and conclude
with a summary of the difference between eco-innovation and sustain-
able innovation. James (1997 in Charter and Clark 2007, 9) has defined
eco-innovation as the “process of developing new products, processes or
services which provide customer and business value but significantly de-
crease environmental impact”. Moreover, eco-innovation can be consid-
ered as “any form of innovation aiming at significant and demonstrable
progress towards the goal of sustainable development, through reducing
impacts on the environment or achieving a more efficient and responsible
use of natural resources, including energy” (Competitiveness and Innova-
tion Framework (2007 to 2013) in Charter and Clark 2007, 9). The main
differences between eco-innovation and sustainable innovation therefore
lie in the different dimensions they encompass. Eco-innovation address-
es economic and environmental dimensions, while sustainable innova-
tion includes these as well as two broader dimensions: social and ethical
(Charter and Clark 2007). Table 2 illustrates all the selected definitions
of eco-innovation encompassed in our literature review.
