Firm internal drivers for eco-process innovation - A multi-method analysis of energy efficiency in Norwegian manufacturing firms

The high energy intensity of the manufacturing sector places it at the centre of all greenhouse gas emission abatement programmes. The thesis is thus motivated by the need to increase the environmental performance of the sector, and aims to explore the internal drivers in stimulating eco-process innovation in manufacturing firms. To this end, I use an explorative research design and explore the phenomenon from different theoretical, epistemological and methodological perspectives in three interdependent empirical studies. These studies are empirically informed by research on energy efficiency (EE). From the thesis results, I suggest a new typology of internal organisational drivers for eco-process innovation: environmental leadership, absorptive capacity, organisational structure and routines, and translation competence. Furthermore, the results point to the micro foundations of each driver and suggest an interrelation between the four drivers. This interrelation is discussed in a conceptual model. The thesis further contributes to the field by providing more knowledge on the impact and role of internal stakeholders at various organisational levels. By considering EE as an empirical phenomenon, the study is also of theoretical relevance to the EE literature. From my observations, the gap in the literature with regard to internal drivers is due to limited academic attention, ‘redundancy’ in theory development, and lack of theoretical framing and clarity in the definition of key concepts. Therefore, I suggest that, further research would benefit from a larger degree of problematisation of existing assumptions when designing research questions, build on alternative theoretical frameworks more actively, and are more explicit when defining key concepts. Thus, the further development of eco-innovation theory can extend our knowledge on the firm internal factors and mechanisms affecting the environmental transition of manufacturing firms. The thesis results also provide valuable insights for managers and policymakers as well as avenues for future research

Kommuner som pådrivere for kortreiste kretsløp. En studie om lokalmat i Tromsø kommune

Kortreist-prosjektet er et av underprosjektene i Include. Det startet opp i 2020 og varer fram til september 2023. Hensikten med Kortreist-prosjektet er å belyse hvilken betydning lokal mat og tilknyttede opplevelser har for stedsutvikling, og hvordan lokal mat kan inngå i kommuners klimaomstillingsstrategier. I denne studien har vi, i samarbeid med Tromsø kommune, utforsket hvordan kommuner kan bidra til å etablere kortreiste kretsløp for mat, og hvordan lokalmat kan bidra til bærekraftig samfunnsomstilling og mer miljø- og klimavennlig mat. Vi har også vært interessert i å kartlegge ulike barrierer for kortreiste matstrategier. I tillegg har vi vært opptatt av å avdekke den lokale forståelsen av begrepene «lokalmat», «kortreist mat» og «bynært landbruk». Studien er basert på forskningslitteratur på feltet, vår tidligere og pågående forskning i forskningssenteret Include, dokumentstudier og intervjuer med sentrale aktører (kommunalt ansatte, politikere, næringsaktører, organisasjoner og innbyggere) i Tromsø kommune. Målet med denne rapporten er å gi et kunnskaps- og drøftingsgrunnlag for Tromsø kommune i deres arbeid med lokalmat som del av en omstillingsstrategi samt bidra med noen råd i det videre arbeid med å utvikle bærekraftige klima- og miljøstrategier for kommunen. Rapporten er også ledd i arbeidet med revisjon av Tromsø kommunes landbruksplan. Rapporten er utarbeidet av Mette Talseth Solnørdal, UiT, Sigve Ysland Pedersen, UiT og Hege Westskog, SUM/UiO. Rapporten er utarbeidet i tett samarbeid med Anja Johnsen og Per Sjögren ved Tromsø kommune, enhet for Klima, miljø og landbruk. Vi takker alle våre informanter og Tromsø kommune for godt samarbeid

Firm internal drivers for eco-process innovation - A multi-method analysis of energy efficiency in Norwegian manufacturing firms

The high energy intensity of the manufacturing sector places it at the centre of all greenhouse gas emission abatement programmes. The thesis is thus motivated by the need to increase the environmental performance of the sector, and aims to explore the internal drivers in stimulating eco-process innovation in manufacturing firms. To this end, I use an explorative research design and explore the phenomenon from different theoretical, epistemological and methodological perspectives in three interdependent empirical studies. These studies are empirically informed by research on energy efficiency (EE). From the thesis results, I suggest a new typology of internal organisational drivers for eco-process innovation: environmental leadership, absorptive capacity, organisational structure and routines, and translation competence. Furthermore, the results point to the micro foundations of each driver and suggest an interrelation between the four drivers. This interrelation is discussed in a conceptual model. The thesis further contributes to the field by providing more knowledge on the impact and role of internal stakeholders at various organisational levels. By considering EE as an empirical phenomenon, the study is also of theoretical relevance to the EE literature. From my observations, the gap in the literature with regard to internal drivers is due to limited academic attention, ‘redundancy’ in theory development, and lack of theoretical framing and clarity in the definition of key concepts. Therefore, I suggest that, further research would benefit from a larger degree of problematisation of existing assumptions when designing research questions, build on alternative theoretical frameworks more actively, and are more explicit when defining key concepts. Thus, the further development of eco-innovation theory can extend our knowledge on the firm internal factors and mechanisms affecting the environmental transition of manufacturing firms. The thesis results also provide valuable insights for managers and policymakers as well as avenues for future research

Closing the Energy Efficiency Gap—A Systematic Review of Empirical Articles on Drivers to Energy Efficiency in Manufacturing firms

Research has identified an extensive potential for energy efficiency within the manufacturing sector, which is responsible for a substantial share of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The purpose of this study is to enhance the knowledge of vital drivers for energy efficiency in this sector by providing a critical and systematic review of the empirical literature on drivers to energy efficiency in manufacturing firms at the firm level. The systematic literature review (SLR) is based on peer-reviewed articles published between 1998 and 2016. The findings reveal that organizational and economic drivers are, from the firms’ perspective, the most prominent stimulus for energy efficiency and that they consider policy instruments and market drivers to be less important. Secondly, firm size has a positive effect on the firms’ energy efficiency, while the literature is inconclusive considering sectorial impact. Third, the studies are mainly conducted in the US and Western European countries, despite the fact that future increase in energy demand is expected outside these regions. These findings imply a potential mismatch between energy policy-makers’ and firm mangers’ understanding of which factors are most important for achieving increased energy efficiency in manufacturing firms. Energy policies should target the stimulation of management, competence, and organizational structure in addition to the provision of economic incentives. Further understanding about which and how internal resources, organizational capabilities, and management practices impact energy efficiency in manufacturing firms is needed. Future energy efficiency scholars should advance our theoretical understanding of the relationship between energy efficiency improvements in firms, the related change processes, and the drivers that affect these processes

Absorptive capacity and energy efficiency in manufacturing firms – An empirical analysis in Norway

Increased energy efficiency (EE) in manufacturing firms is important for confronting climate challenges. However, the information barrier is considered a major restriction on EE innovation. Building on the theory of absorptive capacity and the current EE literature, we argue that this barrier relates to firms' ability to assimilate and exploit information. Thus, this study's objective is to analyse firms' knowledge characteristics as determinants of EE innovation. We perform logit regressions using a Norwegian panel dataset for the period 2010–2014. The results are based on statistical correlations between data points that have potential uncertainties. Still, the main implications from our study are that prior knowledge, in terms of higher educated workforce, knowledge development, in terms of R&D capacity, and external knowledge cooperation, such as cooperation with universities and competitors, increase firms' pursuit of EE innovation. Further, the results also imply that there is an interaction effect between higher educated workforce and collaboration with universities. These results suggest that policy makers should consider firms' ability to assimilate and exploit information. This can be done by providing information according to firms' needs and absorptive capacity, and offering possibilities for firms to increase this capacity

Drivers for energy efficiency: an empirical analysis of Norwegian manufacturing firms

Manufacturing firms’ ability to innovate and improve their energy efficiency (EE) is a key element in reducing emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and attain international objectives of climate change mitigation. Despite an urgent need for more knowledge drivers for EE in manufacturing firms, there is still little research on the topic. Taking departure in the EE and environmental innovation literature we analyse the role of motivational factors and firm characteristics (education, R&D and cooperation strategies) as drivers for EE. Employing a logit model on a panel data from the Norwegian Community Innovation Survey (CIS) on manufacturing firms for the period 2010–2014, we examine how the drivers impact companies’ investments in EE. Our empirical results show that the level of education and cooperation with competitors as well as universities and research institutions have a positive effect on investments on EE. The size of the company is also positively related to EE. We did however not find support for the hypothesis that R&D are positively related to EE investments

From Program to Practice: Translating Energy Management in a Manufacturing Firm

A promising way to stimulate industrial energy efficiency is via energy management (EnM) practices. There is, however, limited knowledge on the implementation process of EnM in manufacturing firms. Aiming to fill this research gap, this study explores the implementation of a corporate environmental program in an incumbent firm and the ensuing emergence of EnM practices. Translation theory and the ‘travel of management ideas’ is used as a theoretical lens in this case study when analysing the process over a period of 10 years. Furthermore, based on a review and synthesis of prior studies, a ‘best EnM practice’ is developed and used as a baseline when assessing the EnM practices of the case firm. Building on this premise, we highlight four main findings: the pattern of translation dynamics, the key role of the energy manager during the implementation process, the abstraction level of the environmental program and, ‘translation competence’ as a new EnM practice. Managerial and policy implications, as well as avenues for further research, are provided based on these results

Kommuner som pådrivere for kortreiste kretsløp. En studie om lokalmat i Tromsø kommune

Kortreist-prosjektet er et av underprosjektene i Include. Det startet opp i 2020 og varer fram til september 2023. Hensikten med Kortreist-prosjektet er å belyse hvilken betydning lokal mat og tilknyttede opplevelser har for stedsutvikling, og hvordan lokal mat kan inngå i kommuners klimaomstillingsstrategier. I denne studien har vi, i samarbeid med Tromsø kommune, utforsket hvordan kommuner kan bidra til å etablere kortreiste kretsløp for mat, og hvordan lokalmat kan bidra til bærekraftig samfunnsomstilling og mer miljø- og klimavennlig mat. Vi har også vært interessert i å kartlegge ulike barrierer for kortreiste matstrategier. I tillegg har vi vært opptatt av å avdekke den lokale forståelsen av begrepene «lokalmat», «kortreist mat» og «bynært landbruk». Studien er basert på forskningslitteratur på feltet, vår tidligere og pågående forskning i forskningssenteret Include, dokumentstudier og intervjuer med sentrale aktører (kommunalt ansatte, politikere, næringsaktører, organisasjoner og innbyggere) i Tromsø kommune. Målet med denne rapporten er å gi et kunnskaps- og drøftingsgrunnlag for Tromsø kommune i deres arbeid med lokalmat som del av en omstillingsstrategi samt bidra med noen råd i det videre arbeid med å utvikle bærekraftige klima- og miljøstrategier for kommunen. Rapporten er også ledd i arbeidet med revisjon av Tromsø kommunes landbruksplan. Rapporten er utarbeidet av Mette Talseth Solnørdal, UiT, Sigve Ysland Pedersen, UiT og Hege Westskog, SUM/UiO. Rapporten er utarbeidet i tett samarbeid med Anja Johnsen og Per Sjögren ved Tromsø kommune, enhet for Klima, miljø og landbruk. Vi takker alle våre informanter og Tromsø kommune for godt samarbeid