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Frugal innovation approaches to sustainable domestic energy: two cases of solar water heating from Brazil

Author

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  • Hans-Christian Busch
  • Tobias Dauth
  • Luise Fischer
  • Marcelo Souza

Abstract

This paper aims to shed light on sustainability oriented frugal innovation. We explore how frugal approaches to innovation can be used as affordable and environmentally sustainable alternatives to established water heater systems. Using a descriptive case study approach, two examples of frugal innovators in Brazil are being depicted. We develop a better understanding how frugal approaches to solving similar environmental problems vary between different organisational forms. Moreover, we investigate in which situations a frugal approach to sustainable innovation appears to be suitable. Our findings indicate that distinct approaches to frugal innovation can be pursued developing environmentally sustainable and affordable technology. Comparing a grassroots non-profit organisation to a for-profit corporation, we identify different degrees of relational importance of frugality in environmental sustainability. We show that frugal approaches represent viable alternatives in achieving circular products and that these approaches can contribute to a socially inclusive form of environmentally friendly domestic energy use.

Suggested Citation

  • Hans-Christian Busch & Tobias Dauth & Luise Fischer & Marcelo Souza, 2018. "Frugal innovation approaches to sustainable domestic energy: two cases of solar water heating from Brazil," International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 10(3/4), pages 231-257.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijtlid:v:10:y:2018:i:3/4:p:231-257
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Simone Sehnem & Adriane A. Farias S. L. de Queiroz & Susana Carla Farias Pereira & Gabriel dos Santos Correia & Edson Kuzma, 2022. "Circular economy and innovation: A look from the perspective of organizational capabilities," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 236-250, January.
    2. Daniel A. Salas & Paulina Criollo & Angel D. Ramirez, 2021. "The Role of Higher Education Institutions in the Implementation of Circular Economy in Latin America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-27, August.
    3. Dabić, Marina & Obradović, Tena & Vlačić, Božidar & Sahasranamam, Sreevas & Paul, Justin, 2022. "Frugal innovations: A multidisciplinary review & agenda for future research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 914-929.
    4. Achtelik, Timo & Herstatt, Cornelius & Tiwari, Rajnish, 2022. "Frugal sustainability: A new perspective to foster corporate sustainability," Working Papers 112, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Institute for Technology and Innovation Management, revised 2022.

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