Intermediaries driving eco-innovation in SMEs: A qualitative investigation

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the role intermediaries can play in an small to medium‐sized enterprise's (SME's) pursuit for corporate sustainability with a focus on eco‐innovation. The research identifies drivers and barriers for eco‐innovation, and highlights effects induced through collaboration between SMEs and local authorities, on the one hand, and consultancies, on the other.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on an exploratory qualitative interview study among German SMEs of the metal and mechanical engineering industry that have participated in “Ecoprofit”, an intermediary based program that aims at introducing organizations to the concept of sustainable development through implementation of eco‐innovations.FindingsThe key findings are that first, the proactive approach by a public intermediary (here local authority) is one essential push factor to trigger eco‐innovations in SMEs with low absorptive capacity. Second, it is found that SMEs may need facilitation for eco‐innovation from different types of intermediaries (public and private) with different levels of support, which can range from customized and individual to more loosely held support, such as networks.Originality/valueThis study discusses the challenges of corporate sustainability with a focus on eco‐innovations for SMEs and proposes a “complex intermediary” consisting of a local authority and consultancies as one means to engage SMEs in sustainability. Moreover, it focuses on SMEs in the B2B context, organizations that are often overlooked despite their vast impact. Furthermore, by using a single industry approach, in‐depth findings for the metal and mechanical engineering industry are presented.</jats:sec

Impactos Do Engajamento Das Empresas Com Seus Stakeholders [The Impacts of Stakeholder Engagement]

This empirical paper explores mechanisms by which stakeholders are granted a voice in corporate decision-making processes. A systematic analysis of stakeholder engagement of 51 companies participating in UK’s Business in the Community’s Corporate Responsibility Index is presented, showing the type of stakeholders companies engage with, by which means, as well as the impact of such engagement. We found that leading firms are moving from risk- to opportunity-based engagement using open and long-term engagement mechanisms to align their decisions with their stakeholders’ views and concerns. As results indicate that companies are granting stakeholder views to shape important governance aspects such as policies as well as monitoring and measuring progress, we propagate the term stakeholder governance for advanced forms of stakeholder engagement

Gemeinsam entscheiden in Unternehmen

Stakeholder-Dialoge helfen Unternehmen, Risiken zu minimieren und Marktchancen zu nutzen. Zentral für einen effektiven Dialog ist die Einbindung von Stakeholdern in strategische Entscheidungsprozesse. Eine Analyse führender Unternehmen im Corporate Responsibility Index zeigt einen neuen Trend zur Nutzung von „ Joint Management Stakeholder Committees“

Ökoeffizienz in deutschen Unternehmen

Kleine und mittlere Unternehmen sind für 64 Prozent der industriellen Umweltverschmutzung verantwortlich. Trotz diverser innovativer Ansätze, um Nachhaltigkeitsprobleme zu lösen, sind mangelnde Zeit und Geld oft Hinderungsgründe. Welche Unterstützung ist notwendig und welche Rolle können Intermediäre spielen

Expression profiling reveals Spot 42 small RNA as a key regulator in the central metabolism of Aliivibrio salmonicida

Spot 42 was discovered in Escherichia coli nearly 40 years ago as an abundant, small and unstable RNA. Its biological role has remained obscure until recently, and is today implicated in having broader roles in the central and secondary metabolism. Spot 42 is encoded by the spf gene. The gene is ubiquitous in the Vibrionaceae family of gamma-proteobacteria. One member of this family, Aliivibrio salmonicida, causes cold-water vibriosis in farmed Atlantic salmon. Its genome encodes Spot 42 with 84% identity to E. coli Spot 42. We generated a A. salmonicida spf deletion mutant. We then used microarray and Northern blot analyses to monitor global effects on the transcriptome in order to provide insights into the biological roles of Spot 42 in this bacterium. In the presence of glucose, we found a surprisingly large number of ≥ 2X differentially expressed genes, and several major cellular processes were affected. A gene encoding a pirin-like protein showed an on/off expression pattern in the presence/absence of Spot 42, which suggests that Spot 42 plays a key regulatory role in the central metabolism by regulating the switch between fermentation and respiration. Interestingly, we discovered an sRNA named VSsrna24, which is encoded immediately downstream of spf. This new sRNA has an expression pattern opposite to that of Spot 42, and its expression is repressed by glucose. We hypothesize that Spot 42 plays a key role in the central metabolism, in part by regulating the pyruvat dehydrogenase enzyme complex via pirin

Unterschätzter Nachhaltigkeitstransformator von Märkten und Regionen

Die Erwartungen an nachhaltiges Unternehmertum sind groß. Es soll Bestehendes kreativ zerstören, indem nachhaltig Neues gestaltet und auf dem Markt durchgesetzt wird. Nachhaltigkeitstransformationen bedeuten Risiken für viele bisherige Geschäftsbereiche, aber auch Chancen für nachhaltige Unternehmer

The effect of hydrogen on the breakdown of the protective oxide scale in solid oxide fuel cell interconnects

In this study, the effect of hydrogen, on the degradation of AISI 441 interconnect, under solid oxide fuel cell operating conditions was investigated between 500−800 \ub0C for 336 h. As a new hypothesis, it is concluded that, hydrogen impedes Cr diffusion, probably in the grain boundaries, leading to the breakdown of the protective oxide scale. This effect is most severe at 600 \ub0C, while at lower or higher temperatures the effect is attenuated. Cr diffusion is enhanced at high temperatures, whereas protective scales can be obtained at low temperatures with a lower amount of Cr

The renewable energy and energy efficiency potential of Waitakere City : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Technology in Energy Management at Massey University

Electricity restrictions and blackouts have occurred in Waitakere City in the past and are likely to occur again in the future unless the city can become more self reliant by meeting, at least in part, the increasing energy requirements for what is one of the fastest growing cities in New Zealand. In this study the potentials for energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy resources have been broadly quantified and assessed using desktop analysis of publicly available data for stationary final use energy systems (i.e. excluding transportation) within the geographical area of Waitakere City and adjoining waters. It was found that energy efficiency and energy conservation measures can consistently and predictably achieve overall energy savings and reduce daily and seasonal peak demand. The best renewable energy resource potential exists with solar and geothermal for heating applications and wave, offshore and inshore wind and tidal currents for electricity generation. There is very limited potential for hydro and bioenergy systems beyond what already exists. PV solar and land based wind power generation are currently only feasible for limited off-grid applications. This scoping study confirms the achievability of the vision expressed in Waitakere City Council's "Long Term Council Community Plan" (LTCCP) that by 2020 " Waitakere City will be an energy cell, not an energy sink. Air quality supports good health". A range of flagship projects have been identified to progress the achievement of this vision. Waitakere City Council can use this report as part of the development of a comprehensive energy management plan