Page 34 - Hojnik, Jana. 2017. In Persuit of Eco-innovation. Drivers and Consequences of Eco-innovation at Firm Level. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 34
In Pursuit of Eco-innovation
er 2009: Machiba 2010; EIO 2010 in EIO 2013a; Belin et al. 2011; Fawzi
and Rundquist 2011; Horbach, Rammer and Rennings 2012). In addi-
tion, we have to highlight that an innovation’s effects determine wheth-
er an innovation is environmental; therefore, the determinant is not an
innovation’s intention (Fawzi and Rundquist 2011). In accordance to the
previous, Belin et al. (2011) have emphasized that the environmental ob-
jective is generally not the direct and only intention of eco-innovation.
They argue that the environmental objective comes in addition to oth-
er objectives (i.e., companies follow their main purposes such as compet-
itiveness and productivity, while also seeking to stay in compliance with
environmental regulatory requirements). Machiba (2010) summarizes
that eco-innovation is innovation with an explicit emphasis on reducing
environmental impact, whether this effect is intended or not. Therefore,
34 eco-innovation is not limited to environmentally motivated innova-
tions but also includes “unintended reduction of environmental impact”
(Kemp and Foxon 2007; Arundel and Kemp 2009; Machiba 2010; Fawzi
and Rundquist 2011; Rave et al. 2011; Fleiter et al. 2012; Horbach, Ram-
mer and Rennings 2012; Antonioli, Mancinelli, and Mazzanti 2013; Ca-
inelli and Mazzanti 2013). Therefore, environmental improvements can
happen by chance; they are not required to be the primary goal of a new
eco-product or eco-process (Horbach et al. 2012).
Fourth, eco-innovations can be introduced in various industries or
sectors of the economy, such as in manufacturing, services, organizations,
management styles, urban and rural planning and design, agriculture,
and many other sectors (European Commission 2012). An important
characteristic of eco-innovation, thus, is that eco-innovation can take
place in any economic activity and is neither technology- nor sector-spe-
cific (Antonioli, Mancinelli, and Mazzanti 2013; Cainelli and Mazzan-
ti 2013).
Summarizing, we can see that eco-innovation in not just innovation
or introduction of novelties regarding “eco/environmental area” but also
involves improvement of already existing products, processes, services,
technologies, organizations, marketing, and so on, with the aim of using
more efficient and less harmful natural resources and materials, leading
to less adverse effects on the environment and consequently bringing ben-
efits to the environment or at least reducing the negative impacts released
in the environment. Schiederig et al. (2012), in their review of different
terminology encompassing green, eco, environmental and sustainable in-
novation, have identified six important aspects that create a linkage be-
tween them: 1) innovation object (product, process, service and method);
er 2009: Machiba 2010; EIO 2010 in EIO 2013a; Belin et al. 2011; Fawzi
and Rundquist 2011; Horbach, Rammer and Rennings 2012). In addi-
tion, we have to highlight that an innovation’s effects determine wheth-
er an innovation is environmental; therefore, the determinant is not an
innovation’s intention (Fawzi and Rundquist 2011). In accordance to the
previous, Belin et al. (2011) have emphasized that the environmental ob-
jective is generally not the direct and only intention of eco-innovation.
They argue that the environmental objective comes in addition to oth-
er objectives (i.e., companies follow their main purposes such as compet-
itiveness and productivity, while also seeking to stay in compliance with
environmental regulatory requirements). Machiba (2010) summarizes
that eco-innovation is innovation with an explicit emphasis on reducing
environmental impact, whether this effect is intended or not. Therefore,
34 eco-innovation is not limited to environmentally motivated innova-
tions but also includes “unintended reduction of environmental impact”
(Kemp and Foxon 2007; Arundel and Kemp 2009; Machiba 2010; Fawzi
and Rundquist 2011; Rave et al. 2011; Fleiter et al. 2012; Horbach, Ram-
mer and Rennings 2012; Antonioli, Mancinelli, and Mazzanti 2013; Ca-
inelli and Mazzanti 2013). Therefore, environmental improvements can
happen by chance; they are not required to be the primary goal of a new
eco-product or eco-process (Horbach et al. 2012).
Fourth, eco-innovations can be introduced in various industries or
sectors of the economy, such as in manufacturing, services, organizations,
management styles, urban and rural planning and design, agriculture,
and many other sectors (European Commission 2012). An important
characteristic of eco-innovation, thus, is that eco-innovation can take
place in any economic activity and is neither technology- nor sector-spe-
cific (Antonioli, Mancinelli, and Mazzanti 2013; Cainelli and Mazzan-
ti 2013).
Summarizing, we can see that eco-innovation in not just innovation
or introduction of novelties regarding “eco/environmental area” but also
involves improvement of already existing products, processes, services,
technologies, organizations, marketing, and so on, with the aim of using
more efficient and less harmful natural resources and materials, leading
to less adverse effects on the environment and consequently bringing ben-
efits to the environment or at least reducing the negative impacts released
in the environment. Schiederig et al. (2012), in their review of different
terminology encompassing green, eco, environmental and sustainable in-
novation, have identified six important aspects that create a linkage be-
tween them: 1) innovation object (product, process, service and method);
