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Eco-innovation Capability and Sustainability Driven Innovation Practices in Romanian SMEs

Author

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  • Sebastian Ion Ceptureanu

    (Management Department, Faculty of Management, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Eduard Gabriel Ceptureanu

    (Management Department, Faculty of Management, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Doina Popescu

    (Management Department, Faculty of Management, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Olguta Anca Orzan

    (Department of Oncologic Dermatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” Bucharest, Elias Emergency University Hospital, 020021 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

This study examines the influence of eco-innovation capability on sustainability driven innovation practices in SMEs. In this study, eco-innovation capability is represented by four factors—internal setting, strategies, operations and structure—while sustainability driven innovation practices are represented by three types of practices—process, organizational and product. The direct relationship between eco-innovation capability and sustainability driven innovation practices is statistically tested by using a sample of 397 Romanian manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises using PLS–SEM and SmartPLS software. The results show that the development of eco-innovation capability has a direct and positive effect on sustainability driven innovation practices employed in manufacturing SMEs by encouraging them to get involved in cleaner production practices, waste handling and recycling on a regular basis or integrate eco-efficiency into their operations, develop new channels for sustainable products or integrate customers’ suggestions or complaints, implement environment management systems, use eco-friendly raw materials or focus on new product development, for instance. Therefore, the paper extends the literature dedicated to eco-innovation by shedding some light on what to focus on when building eco-innovation capability.

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastian Ion Ceptureanu & Eduard Gabriel Ceptureanu & Doina Popescu & Olguta Anca Orzan, 2020. "Eco-innovation Capability and Sustainability Driven Innovation Practices in Romanian SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:17:p:7106-:d:406610
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