Process eco-innovation: assessing meso-level eco-efficiency in industrial water-service systems

Eco-innovation combines economic advantage with lower ecological-resource burdens. Eco-innovation has been generally directed at energy input-substitutes, component recycling, etc. Some companies have made investments reducing resource burdens in the production process. This study investigated options for eco-efficiency improvement in two large manufacturing companies, Volvo and Arla Foods. Their impetus for eco-innovation comes from the companies' environmental policies, as well as from external drivers such as future higher costs and resource scarcity. Relative to their respective industrial sector, these companies represent strong prospects for reducing resource burdens in water-service processes, especially from chemical inputs and wastewater. Such eco-innovations involve more complex interactions beyond the production site, so the options warrant a whole-system comparative assessment. The EcoWater project has analysed the entire water-service value chain through meso-level interactions among heterogeneous actors (process-water users, providers and wastewater treatment companies). The project has developed a methodology to obtain the necessary information, to involve stakeholders in the assessment and to facilitate their discussion on alternative options. Each study stimulated internal company discussions on the need and means to evaluate whole-system effects of investment decisions. Inter-organisational cooperation helped to anticipate how meso-level resource efficiency relates to lower burdens in wastewater treatment. The assessment method can be extended to any water-service system. By comparing options, the method can facilitate better decisions improving meso-level resource efficiency. As wider implications, some improvement options may complicate ‘eco-innovation’ as double-eco benefits: win-win for whom, where and what level

Investigating the impact of networking capability on firm innovation performance:using the resource-action-performance framework

The author's final peer reviewed version can be found by following the URI link. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Purpose The experience of successful firms has proven that one of the most important ways to promote co-learning and create successful networked innovations is the proper application of inter-organizational knowledge mechanisms. This study aims to use a resource-action-performance framework to open the black box on the relationship between networking capability and innovation performance. The research population embraces companies in the Iranian automotive industry. Design/methodology/approach Due to the latent nature of the variables studied, the required data are collected through a web-based cross-sectional survey. First, the content validity of the measurement tool is evaluated by experts. Then, a pre-test is conducted to assess the reliability of the measurement tool. All data are gathered by the Iranian Vehicle Manufacturers Association (IVMA) and Iranian Auto Parts Manufacturers Association (IAPMA) samples. The power analysis method and G*Power software are used to determine the sample size. Moreover, SmartPLS 3 and IBM SPSS 25 software are used for data analysis of the conceptual model and relating hypotheses. Findings The results of this study indicated that the relationships between networking capability, inter-organizational knowledge mechanisms and inter-organizational learning result in a self-reinforcing loop, with a marked impact on firm innovation performance. Originality/value Since there is little understanding of the interdependencies of networking capability, inter-organizational knowledge mechanisms, co-learning and their effect on firm innovation performance, most previous research studies have focused on only one or two of the above-mentioned variables. Thus, their cumulative effect has not examined yet. Looking at inter-organizational relationships from a network perspective and knowledge-based view (KBV), and to consider the simultaneous effect of knowledge mechanisms and learning as intermediary actions alongside, to consider the performance effect of the capability-building process, are the main advantages of this research

Nanotechnology, Industry Competitiveness and University Strategies: the Case of the UWS Nanotechnology Network in South-West Sydney

University-industry alliances have long been pursued by public funded programs hoping to boost innovation spillovers in a geographical or cognitive area of research-strength by universities. However, there is still a lack of industry-university cooperation in many fields while at the same time the benefits of universities to their regions’ knowledge intensity is firmly advocated (Acs 2004, Martinez-Fernandez & Leevers 2004, Martinez-Fernandez 2004)). The issue is not limited to the dissemination of knowledge, a traditional role of universities, but to introducing change into the region’s innovation system through activities that increase industry competitive advantage. Results from a project conducted in South-West Sydney from 2003 to 2005 shows that active industry engagement by Universities offering specific expertise in frontier technologies has a positive effect in university-industry cooperation if compared with other technologies well established in the private sector. The project results also show that the role of Universities as active facilitators of industry engagement in frontier technologies is a critical element in the regional/local innovation system where the university operates. The paper discusses first the context of the emergence of the UWS Nanotechnology Network as a sophisticated knowledge intensive service activity led by the University. Secondly the paper discusses the particular case of nanotechnology as a science in an early path and the role of universities at this particular stage. Thirdly, the paper discusses the use and barriers of firms to nanotechnology applications and the role played by UWS during the duration of the project. Finally policy issues arise in relation to the role of the public education sector in the early promotion of frontier technologies. References Acs, Z. (2002) Innovation and the Growth of Cities. Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. Martinez-Fernandez, M.C. (2004) ‘Regional Collaboration Infrastructure: Effects in the Hunter Valley of NSW’, Australian Planner Vol 41(4); Planning Institute of Australia: Queensland. Martinez-Fernandez, M.C. and K. Leevers (2004) ‘Knowledge Creation, Sharing and Transfer as an Innovation Strategy: The Discovery of Nano-technology by South-West Sydney’. International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM), Volume 28 (3/4/5/6): 560-581.

Understanding Customer Insights Through Big Data: Innovations in Brand Evaluation in the Automotive Industry

Abstract. Insights gained from social media platforms are pivotal for businesses to understand their products’ present position. While it is possible to use consulting services focusing on surveys about a product or brand, such methods may yield limited insights. By contrast, on social media, people frequently express their individual and unique feelings about products openly and informally. With this in mind, we aim to provide rigorous methodologies to enable businesses to gain significant insights on their brands and products in terms of representations on social media. This study employs conjoint analysis to lay the analytical groundwork for developing positive and negative sentiment frameworks to evaluate the brands of three prominent emerging automotive companies in Indonesia, anonymized as “HMI,” “YMI,” and “SMI.” We conducted a survey with a sample size of n=67 to analyze the phrasings of importance for our wording dictionary construction. A series of data processing operations were carried out, including the collection, capture, formatting, cleansing, and transformation of data. Our study’s findings indicate a distinct ranking of the most positively and negatively perceived companies among social media users. As a direct management-related implication, our proposed data analysis methods could assist the industry in applying the same rigor to evaluating companies’ products and brands directly from social media users’ perspective. Keywords:  Brand image, social media, data analytics, sentiment analysis, conjoint analysi

Voluntary Agreements in Environmental Protection - Experiences in Germany and Future Perspectives

A trend towards softer regulation, especially in the form of negotiated environmental agreements, is observable in national and international environmental policies. Such agreements are controversial, because there are fears that government will relinquish its responsibility for environmental protection. This paper analyses recent experiences with voluntary agreements in Germany. Topical German examples that have prompted public debates include the takeback agreement for cars, the voluntary agreement made by a number of industries on a C02 reduction by the year 2005 and the voluntary agreement made by the automobile industry on the development of energy-efficient cars. Proponents of voluntary agreements argue that this instrument provides incentives to the business sector for the development of efficient, innovative and environmentally-friendly solutions. Analysing the examples mentioned above, we conclude that it is hard to detect solutions derserving such attributes. These agreements are unlikely to produce results that go beyond what industry would have done in any case and they avoid using economic incentives. The agreements are' non-binding and unenforceable, with the negotiating process leading to a watering down of the environmental goals government had originally aimed at. A preference for negotiated solutions on principle, as currently espoused by the Federal Government in Germany, seems to be counterproductive. If the government clearly signals its willingness to refrain from using regulatory or economic instruments in favour of industry agreements, it weakens its negotiating position. The government also limits its options should the implementation of the agreement prove unsatisfactory. Government needs to be in control in order to leave its choice of policy instruments open and to be flexible. In a last step, we derive some general conclusions concerning reasonable strategies and applications of voluntary agreements within the European Union. --negotiated agreements,climate protection,circular economy,economic instruments of environmental policy

Entering the Digital Era – The Impact of Digital Technology-related M&As on Business Model Innovations of Automobile OEMs

Digital technologies have reached the sphere of industrial-age, primarily physical industries, thus forcing incumbent firms to digitally innovate their business models. Employing a longitudinal dataset of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers from 2000 to 2013, we found empirical evidence of a positive effect of digital technology–related mergers and acquisitions (M&As) on digital business model innovativeness. Moreover, this effect is enhanced by previous non-digital M&A experience, a diversified M&A history, as well as early experience with digital technology–related M&As. Consequently, our findings reveal that OEMs acquiring complementary and heterogeneous external knowledge on digital technologies and possessing the absorptive capacity to integrate as well as commercialize this type of knowledge are better prepared to master the digital transformation of their business. Furthermore, we find indications of a positive influence of digital business model innovations on the expected future firm performance of automobile manufacturers, thus substantiating the importance of digital transformation

Patents as a Measure for Eco-Innovation

This paper examines the usefulness of patent analysis for measuring eco-innovation. The overall conclusion is that patents are a useful means for measuring environmentally motivated innovations, such as pollution control technologies and green energy technologies, and for general purpose technologies with environmental benefits. For these types of innovations it is acceptable to use patent analysis, provided they are carefully screened. Patent analysis may be used for measuring five attributes of eco-innovation: (1) eco-inventive activities in specific technology fields, (2) international technological diffusion, (3) research and technical capabilities of companies, (4) institutional knowledge sources of eco-innovation, and (5) technological spillovers and knowledge flows. Up until now it is mainly used for measuring eco-inventive activity.Eco-innovation, patents

Examining the Disruptive Innovation Theory by Analysing Tesla, Inc.

The shift to electrification with electric vehicles (EV) is regarded as a phenomenon that is expected to permanently revolutionize the whole automotive industry and social habits of customers along with global economies and supply chains. Coinciding with the trend in early 2000s, at a time when the electric vehicle market was not formed yet, a startup called “Tesla Inc.” entered the market with all-electric strategy. As both developer and pioneer of the EVs, the company had gained a serious position in the industry, while being a part of the market's formation and development in remarkably two decades. Similar to the company's progress, ‘Disruptive Innovation Theory’ is well-known concept in academia that focuses on how companies create market disruption through their innovations. Although having some overlapping aspects with the theory, Tesla’s contrasting strategies, such as market entry, necessitates examination in the focus of theory. The main goal of the study was to analyze how Tesla's approach redefines the theory of disruptive innovation by comparing and contrasting the case’s strategy with theory’s framework through three different dimensions: Tesla's disruption in the automotive industry, its high-end market entry against theory’s low-end approach, and incumbent companies respond to such innovative progress. By placing Tesla as a case, the study was designed to unfold progress of both the company and its industry from framework of the theory. Thus, regarding the qualitative research design, the development of the EV phenomenon and the company was unfolded with the process study approach for observing how the status quo in the market was formed overtime. Due to inclusiveness of the focused fields, secondary data was chosen as the source and obtained from several academic and business outputs (i.e., newspapers, company/industry, and governmental outputs) that were specifically focusing on automotive industry and the case company. Outcomes revealed that Tesla's contradictory approach did not essentially redefine the disruptive innovation theory. Although the company’s both financial and industrial growth along with its achieved position contributed to the electrification phenomenon in the industry, it instead served as an alternative business-case through following a pattern that does not comply with the theory, not only in terms of its market entry, but also in many different layers (e.g., innovation, product, marketing, organizational strategies). Additionally, the approach of the incumbents also did not fully conform to the theory: despite the governmental regulations pushing them for lowering carbon emissions, evolutionary progress (instead of revolutionary) of battery technology (in terms of performance and cost), mainstream customers preference and lack of sufficient charging infrastructure in cities were considered as the main reasons for their delay. Despite being a popular case in academia with similar case-theory comparisons, this study was constructed on the company's past to present (and even future) strategies and presented its growth pattern using up-to-date data. Contrary to previous studies, the case was analyzed not only from a market entry perspective, but also from other aspects highlighted by the theory. In addition, considering the managerial implications, the study highlighted Tesla’s case as an alternative approach in terms of positioning and developing innovations in market and the pattern to follow for other companies in the industry