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Energy eco‐innovations for sustainable development: Exploring organizational strategic capabilities through an energy cultures framework

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  • Sara Walton
  • Annie Zhang
  • Conor O'Kane

Abstract

This article reports on research on energy eco‐innovation using case studies of firms. Positioning energy efficiency changes in an organization as “eco‐innovations,” the paper examines the firm‐level resources involved for these to be successful. To identify these resources, the energy cultures (EC) framework, an organizing tool to understand energy behaviour, is drawn on. From an analysis of 142 case studies of successful business and energy change, three models are developed. It is found that the EC framework (consisting of norms, material culture, and practices) makes explicit key resources involved in developing energy eco‐innovations. The findings show that for an eco‐innovation capability, there is a need to align the physical resources with intangible resources to lead to learning and knowledge that, in turn, needs to be aligned with the firm strategies. This research has implications for developing company strategy and practice to drive energy eco‐innovations.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Walton & Annie Zhang & Conor O'Kane, 2020. "Energy eco‐innovations for sustainable development: Exploring organizational strategic capabilities through an energy cultures framework," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 812-826, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:29:y:2020:i:3:p:812-826
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.2399
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    4. Paulius Šūmakaris & Renata Korsakienė & Deniss Ščeulovs, 2021. "Determinants of Energy Efficient Innovation: A Systematic Literature Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-20, November.
    5. Paulius Šūmakaris & Kristina Kovaitė & Renata Korsakienė, 2023. "An Integrated Approach to Evaluating Eco-Innovation Strategies from the Perspective of Strategic Green Transformation: A Case of the Lithuanian Furniture Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-33, June.
    6. Radu Lupu & Adrian Cantemir Călin & Cristina Georgiana Zeldea & Iulia Lupu, 2021. "Systemic Risk Spillovers in the European Energy Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-23, October.
    7. Alexis Ioannidis & Konstantinos J. Chalvatzis & Leonidas C. Leonidou & Zhiteng Feng, 2021. "Applying the reduce, reuse, and recycle principle in the hospitality sector: Its antecedents and performance implications," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(7), pages 3394-3410, November.

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