A transformation of our current transport system and individual mobility behaviour is an essential pre-requisite for attaining a desirable future that enables a life within environmental boundaries ("safe operating space") and higher well-being at the same time. Accordingly, this paper focuses on the potentials of a resource-saving, sustainable transport system with reduced, but still satisfactory, mobility. To achieve the vision of resource-efficiency in Europe, a new understanding of mobility is needed: "the mode of travel is the reward of the journey", meaning that it is not about travelling fastest and frequently, but unhurried (easy-going), infrequently and sustainably. We describe a socially inclusive and innovative transport system that could achieve this vision and discuss the kinds of policy measures that would be required to implement it. Changes are required in many areas including values, preferences, infrastructure, technology, governance and the economy. (authors' abstract)

Over the last decades the concept of eco-innovation has increased its relevance among academics, practitioners and policy makers. The majority of prior literature has concerned eco-innovations and their drivers. Research concerning the barriers to eco-innovation is however scarce, especially among large companies. The purpose with this thesis is therefore to extract further information regarding the field of the barriers to eco-innovation. The aim is to contribute with enhanced knowledge and expand the current literature, as focus is placed on large companies and their barriers. This has been done by implementing a qualitative approach. Twelve semi-structured interviews have been performed with respondents in nine large Swedish manufacturing companies. Secondary data has also been collected in order to triangulate the primary data. The findings show that the main barriers for the large companies to be eco-innovative are related to the awareness in the organization, the quality requirements for the products and production process as well as the regulations affecting the company.

O presente estudo objetivou entender a influência das práticas de gestão socioambientais para o desempenho da eco-inovação empresarial. Para tanto, desenvolveu-se, numa primeira fase, pesquisa bibliográfica que permitiu construir o modelo teórico da pesquisa baseado nas práticas para programas e objetivos para a sustentabilidade, recursos e capacidades, cooperação com stakeholders, inovação ambiental em processos e no desempenho eco-inovador da competência organizacional, em eco-inovação em processos e em eco-inovação em produtos. Com base nesses temas, o estudo pretendeu responder a seguinte questão: qual a relação entre a adoção das práticas de gestão socioambientais orientadas para a sustentabilidade e o desempenho da eco-inovação nas indústrias? A segunda fase do estudo envolveu pesquisa de campo com 95 empresas do setor industrial, associadas ao CIESP e localizadas nas regiões do Vale do Paraíba e Alto Tietê, no Estado de São Paulo. Os dados quantitativos foram obtidos por meio da aplicação de um questionário a respeito da intensidade da adoção das práticas de gestão socioambientais para a sustentabilidade. Análises posteriores foram feitas com o uso das técnicas estatísticas descritivas e de correlações e com o uso da técnica de modelagem de equações estruturais, que avaliou a consistência dos construtos e hipóteses da pesquisa. Os resultados corroboram com pressupostos encontrados na literatura, que evidenciaram a influencia positiva das práticas voltadas para recursos e capacidades e em inovação ambiental em processos no desempenho eco-inovador das empresas. Os resultados apontaram que as empresas investigadas apresentam algumas fraquezas quanto às práticas para objetivos e programas para a sustentabilidade e nas práticas de cooperação com stakeholders, cujas hipóteses foram parcialmente confirmadas. Os coeficientes da modelagem de equações estruturais indicaram que as práticas de gestão socioambiental impactaram, respectivamente, sobre o desempenho da eco-inovação em processos, competência organizacional e em eco-inovação em produtos, demonstrando que as empresas estão preocupadas com o aumento da capacidade de inovação ambiental. A aplicação dos testes de correlação de Pearson e da modelagem de equações estruturais apresentou que o porte da empresa não se mostrou significativo para influenciar a relação entre as práticas de gestão para a sustentabilidade e o desempenho da eco-inovação. / This study aimed to understand the influence of social and environmental management practices for the performance of corporate eco-innovation. To this end, initially, it was developed, bibliographic research that allowed to build the theoretical model of research, based on practices for programs and goals for sustainability, resources and capabilities, cooperation with stakeholders, environmental innovation in processes, to eco-innovation performance of organizational competence, eco-innovation in processes and eco-innovation in products. Based on these themes, the study sought to answer the following question: what is the relationship between the adoption of environmental management practices geared towards sustainability and performance of eco-innovation in industries? The second phase of the study involved fieldwork with 95 industrial companies, associated to CIESP and located in the regions of Vale do Paraiba and Alto Tietê, in São Paulo. Quantitative data were obtained through a questionnaire about the intensity of adoption of social and environmental management practices for sustainability. Subsequent analyzes were performed with the use of descriptive statistics and correlation techniques and the use of the technique of structural equation modeling, that evaluated the consistency of the constructs and hypotheses of the research. The results corroborate assumptions found in the literature, demonstrating the positive influence of practices for resources and capabilities in environmental and process innovation in corporate eco-innovation performance. The results showed that the companies investigated have some weaknesses regarding the objectives and practices for sustainability programs and practices of cooperation with stakeholders, whose hypotheses were partially confirmed. The coefficients of structural equation modeling indicated that environmental management practices impacted respectively, on the performance of eco-innovation in processes, organizational competence and eco-innovation in products, demonstrating that companies are concerned about the increase in environmental innovation capacity. The application of Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling tests showed that company size was not significant in influencing the relationship between management practices for sustainability and eco-innovation performance.

The challenge of transitioning to an environmentally sustainable system of production and consumption is both a major risk and a significant opportunity for companies involved in the design and manufacture of products. One approach that might assist companies in meeting this challenge is ‘eco-innovation’, which aims to deliver new products and processes that provide customer and business value but significantly decrease environmental impacts. <br /> The aim of the research was to understand how eco-innovation tools can be developed and introduced to a company such that they are adopted into the long-term practices of the company and contribute to the development of eco-innovative products. A ‘toolbox for eco-innovation’ was developed by adapting existing innovation tools for the purposes of eco-innovation. The initial toolbox was tested through in-house trials before subsequent trials in industry with a refined suite of tools. One-day workshops were held with six producers of electrical and electronic equipment. Four of these companies went on to participate in more in-depth tool introduction studies in which the tools were customised to the specific needs of the company and its design team. Formal tool feedback sessions and individual interviews with members of the design team were used to asses the effectiveness of the tool customisations. The organisational drivers and barriers for the long-term adoption of eco-innovation tools were also investigated. <br /> The contributions to knowledge of this research are: <br /> <ul> <li>The development of a toolbox for eco-innovation.</li> <li>The validation of tool customisation as an approach to improving the introduction of eco-innovation tools.</li> <li>The definition of a generic process for tool introduction based on tool customisation which is appropriate for workshop-based design and innovation tools (including eco-innovation tools).</li> <li>Insights into the organisational drivers and barriers for the long-term adoption of eco-innovation tools.</li> <li>A model for the management of eco-innovation activities. </li> </ul>

Considerando-se a importância crescente e a complementaridade das temáticas de eco-inovação e de Gestão Sustentável da Cadeia de Suprimentos (GSCS), bem como a relevância do setor de alimentos no Brasil, este trabalho apresenta o objetivo de analisar como a eco-inovação contribui para a GSCS no setor de alimentos. Realizou-se um estudo de caso múltiplo em duas Cadeias de Suprimento Sustentáveis (CSSs) que possuem práticas eco-inovadoras: uma cadeia cuja empresa focal é eco-inovadora desde seu início (cadeia Alfa, born green); e outra cuja empresa focal está mudando seu posicionamento em prol da eco-inovação (cadeia Beta). A coleta de dados contou com materiais secundários, 20 entrevistas semiestruturadas e visitas in loco. Os resultados indicam que a eco-inovação é incorporada na estratégia da maioria das empresas. As principais práticas referem-se a produtos e processos eco-inovadores, sendo motivadas tanto por drivers internos (preocupações ambientais por parte dos gestores e busca por eficiência) quanto externos (pressões normativas e cooperação). Existe um alinhamento parcial das cadeias em favor da sustentabilidade, sendo que os relacionamentos mais próximos ocorrem entre o elo produtor e as indústrias. Foram encontradas relações com membros não tradicionais, como o terceiro setor e o governo. As principais barreiras à eco-inovação referem-se a questões técnicas, financeiras e concorrenciais. Questões relacionadas aos consumidores são vistas tanto como barreira (pelo desconhecimento e falta de atitude de compra) quanto como oportunidade (pelas tendências de sustentabilidade e alimentação saudável). Outra oportunidade refere-se à diferenciação frente a concorrentes e posicionamento da empresa. Os resultados indicam o elo produtor como o mais frágil da cadeia, pela necessidade de seguir rigorosamente a legislação, sem obter muitos incentivos governamentais que amparem perdas ou o remunerem pelos serviços ambientais prestados. O trabalho contribui ao expor a perspectiva de um país em desenvolvimento, salientando a importância da eco-inovação para uma GSCS mais competitiva, principalmente no caso de cadeias born green. A partir do investimento inicial da empresa focal em eco-inovação, esta busca ou desenvolve outros elos alinhados a estas práticas. Os dados encontrados apontam para a importância crescente do setor de alimentos eco-inovadores, que é uma ótima opção para empresas agregarem valor à sua imagem e seus produtos. / Considering the increasing importance and complementarity of the issues of eco-innovation and Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM), as well as the relevance of the food industry in Brazil, the goal of this work is to analyze how eco-innovation contributes to the SSCM in the food sector. A multiple case study was conducted in two Sustainable Supply Chains (SSCs) that have eco-innovative practices: chain Alpha, which focal company is eco-innovative since its beginning; and chain Beta, which focal company is changing its position in favor of eco-innovation. Data collection included secondary data, 20 semi-structured interviews and on-site visits. The results indicate that eco-innovation is incorporated into the strategy of most companies. The main practices refer to products and eco-innovative processes, which are motivated by internal drivers (environmental concerns by managers and search for efficiency) and external drivers (regulatory cooperation and pressures). There is a partial alignment of the chains in favor of sustainability, and the closest relationships occur between producers and industries. Relations with non-traditional members (third sector and government) were also found. The main barriers to eco-innovation are technical, financial and competitive. Consumers-related issues are seen both as a barrier (for their lack of knowledge and purchasing attitude) and as an opportunity (because of sustainability and healthy eating trends). Another opportunity is the differentiation against competitors and the positioning of the company. The results indicate that the producer is the weakest link of the chain, as it must follow strict rules, but does not have government incentives that support losses or remunerate his environmental services. The work contributes by exposing the perspective of a developing country, stressing the importance of eco-innovation for a more competitive GSCS, especially in the case of born green chains. When the focal company invests in eco-innovation, it searches or develops other links according to these practices. The findings indicate the growing importance of eco-innovation in the food sector, which is a great option to add value to the company’s image and products.

The increasing government and consumer interest in, and growing concerns about environmental issues have pressured businesses to adopt eco-innovative measures and activities. These pressures have been felt particularly by the food and drink sector in Scotland, a sector that is of considerable importance to the Scottish economy. To date, few studies have considered the challenges businesses in this sector face with regard to the adoption of eco-innovations. In particular, there has been little research on the challenges faced by the SMEs in the sector and how they are adopting eco-innovations. This study seeks to address this research gap through utilization of the diffusion of innovation theory to explore the adoption of eco-innovations by the Scottish food and drink SMEs. A qualitative survey of the website of 52 businesses was used to collect data and analysed using content analysis to generate five categories of eco-innovations namely; Waste, Energy, GSCM, Carbon and Embedding. This data collected informed the next phase of the research where in-depth interviews was conducted with 18 businesses to understand their eco-innovation adoption processes. The findings revealed two groups of attitudes among the participants namely; the positive and the sceptics. The main motivators to adoption were found to be; moral principles and beliefs, eco-consumer drive, cost saving, legislation and the creation of jobs and new opportunities. The major barriers to eco-innovation were more profound and found to include; non-recyclable waste, non-compliance by suppliers, cost of adoption, lack of interest, the challenge of finding credible and reliable sources, attitudes and behaviours, and a general lack of education and awareness. Using the categorisation of eco-innovations that emerged from the website data analysis, the research developed a scale of greenness reflecting the adoption of eco-innovation along with a classification of adopter types namely; advanced, intermediate and basic adopters. The thesis contributes to the theory of diffusion by illustrating ways to capture and evidence innovation adoption without dependency on the time element and enabled a classification of eco- innovation adopters. The contribution to methodology is viewed from the application of a qualitative approach that enabled the categorisation of the forms of eco-innovation which resulted in the model depicting eco-innovation adoption and the profiling tool for innovation diffusion. Practical contributions are offered to enable businesses to understand their adoption of eco-innovation through the use of the model, adopter type classification and the application of a best practice guide to facilitate adoption. Recommendations for policy, practice and further areas for research are also proposed within the thesis.

Nous assistons aujourd'hui à une évolution de la conscience collective pour la prise en compte de l'environnement en conception de produit industriel. Cette réalité du monde industriel conduit à reconsidérer le développement d'outils classiques de conception et d'innovation pour intégrer la problématique environnementale. L'innovation, paramètre majeur du développement et de la croissance de l'entreprise, doit aussi conduire à des concepts éco-innovants. Il existe peu de méthodes complètes d'éco-innovation. Il est indispensable de développer une méthode alliant l'analyse du problème dans le sens du développement durable, la formalisation adaptée et la sélection des outils de résolution adéquats. L'utilisation des outils d'éco-innovation permettra aux entreprises de s'approprier le concept de développement durable à l'échelle de l'émergence de leurs produits. Cette approche intégrée de conception permet d'influencer les modes de production et de consommation, d'anticiper les besoins futurs des utilisateurs et d'assurer la pérennité de la société. Ces travaux de thèse s'inscrit dans le cadre de la mutation de la Méthode d'Aide à l'INnovation (MAL'IN) vers un outil d'éco-innovation. La démarche actuelle MAL'IN permet d'analyser et structurer un problème de conception de produit, de le formaliser et de le résoudre. Adaptée aux phases préliminaires de conception, la méthodologie est basée sur l'analyse fonctionnelle, l'analyse des phénomènes physiques et sur la définition des biais d'attaque du problème. La résolution fait appel à des outils adaptés de la théorie TRIZ et d'autres outils développés dans ce cadre. L'enjeu de la thèse concerne l'intégration de la vision développement durable dans la méthode actuelle MAL'IN à travers la structuration et la mise en place de connaissances environnementales nécessaires au stade de la recherche de concepts et de ainsi faire évoluer cet outil vers un outil d'éco-innovation. Les travaux de thèse impliquent d'une part, l'intégration de la vision environnementale aux outils existants de la méthode MAL'IN notamment dans la phase d'analyse et de formalisation du problème de conception et, d'autre part, le développement de nouveaux outils d'éco-innovation permettant d'adapter et de structurer la démarche existante en fonction des nouvelles données d'analyse environnementale du produit. L'ensemble des méthodes proposées doit apporter des réponses cohérentes de la spécification du besoin jusqu'à la recherche de concepts éco-innovants. La méthode développée doit convenir à tous les membres du groupe de créativité, en particulier, il faut s'assurer que l'expression des différentes connaissances et des orientations de structuration et de formalisation soit compréhensibles et interprétables par les participants. L'éco-innovation impose, entre autres, la personnalisation du produit, un designer intervient classiquement dans ce cadre. Les outils doivent être conçus pour être interprétés par cet intervenant particulier.

<p>What is Ecopreneurship? This thesis proposes to define ecopreneurship in theory, and to increase the understanding of it in practice. Ecopreneurship can be seen as one of several ways of doing business in a more environmentally friendly way. It is conzeptualized as the intersection of entrepreneurship theory and sustainability studies. A non-exhaustive list of three sub-concepts of Ecopreneurship is identified and discussed: Eco-Innovation, Eco-Commitment and Eco-Opportunity.</p><p>In addition to the theoretical framing, this study also includes an empirical part, in which by means of multiple case studies, insight is gained on how Ecopreneurship and its sub-concepts manifest in practice. Apart from the three concepts already identified in the theoretical part of this study, the themes of social equity, indirect Ecopreneurship and the time aspect of Eco-Innovation emerged from the analysis of the case studies. This thesis presents an emerging framework for ecopreneurship, which still has gaps to be filled if accepted as a framework.</p>

What is Ecopreneurship? This thesis proposes to define ecopreneurship in theory, and to increase the understanding of it in practice. Ecopreneurship can be seen as one of several ways of doing business in a more environmentally friendly way. It is conzeptualized as the intersection of entrepreneurship theory and sustainability studies. A non-exhaustive list of three sub-concepts of Ecopreneurship is identified and discussed: Eco-Innovation, Eco-Commitment and Eco-Opportunity. In addition to the theoretical framing, this study also includes an empirical part, in which by means of multiple case studies, insight is gained on how Ecopreneurship and its sub-concepts manifest in practice. Apart from the three concepts already identified in the theoretical part of this study, the themes of social equity, indirect Ecopreneurship and the time aspect of Eco-Innovation emerged from the analysis of the case studies. This thesis presents an emerging framework for ecopreneurship, which still has gaps to be filled if accepted as a framework.

This paper describes the effects of environmental innovation, or EI, on the market value of a firm. EI involves the creation or enhancement of ‘green’ products or ‘eco-efficient’ production processes which result in improved environmental performance. The study involves the selection of a number of press releases related to EI and environmental performance. These form the basis of an event study to determine the effect of these announcements on share prices. Results indicate that the market recognizes the value of EI, especially for product-driven initiatives. It is also found that the market values good environmental performance, particularly when it has been recognized externally through an award, membership, or certification. Implications for policy and for management are discussed.