Innovation capabilities for sustainability: a comparison between Green and Gray companies
European Journal of Innovation Management
ISSN: 1460-1060
Article publication date: 29 April 2021
Issue publication date: 23 June 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify and compare the arrangements of innovation capabilities and their correlation with the socio-environmental responsibility of two groups: companies with less socio-environmental concern (Group Gray) and companies with greater socio-environmental concern (Group Green).
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive and quantitative research with 1,322 Brazilian manufacturing companies was conducted. We analyzed (1) the actual arrangement of capabilities and (2) the ideal arrangement of capabilities with the greatest impact on innovation.
Findings
Results suggest that there is a difference in the arrangement of capabilities between the two groups. Also, there is a difference between the capabilities that effectively receive the companies' attention and the capabilities that should be valued and developed. Green companies must focus their efforts on Transaction capability, followed respectively by Management, Development and Operation capabilities. Gray companies must focus on Development capability, followed by Management, Transaction and Operation capabilities.
Originality/value
By identifying the ideal capability arrangement, this research provides important information that can guide managers in planning internal strategies for investments, prioritizing management efforts and rearranging capabilities to boost innovation for sustainability.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank NITEC's team for the important help given during the development of this research and for contributing to the data analyzed. Also, we thank Ana Paula Lopes for her input on an earlier draft of this manuscript. This work was supported by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and by the State of Rio Grande do Sul Research Foundation (FAPERGS).
Declaration of interest statement: No potential competing interest was reported by the authors.
Citation
Ostermann, C.M., Nascimento, L.d.S., Lopes, C.M.C.F., Camboim, G.F. and Zawislak, P.A. (2022), "Innovation capabilities for sustainability: a comparison between Green and Gray companies", European Journal of Innovation Management, Vol. 25 No. 4, pp. 1200-1219. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-01-2021-0005
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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