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A comparison of family and nonfamily small firms in their approach to green innovation: A study of Italian companies in the agri‐food industry

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  • Rosa Maria Dangelico
  • Alberto Nastasi
  • Simone Pisa

Abstract

Despite the growing scholars' attention toward green innovation, on the one hand, and family firms, on the other hand, there is still limited attention toward the intersection of these two streams of literature, because very few studies deal with green innovation in family firms. This paper aims at comparing family and nonfamily small firms in their approach to green innovation. To this aim, a multiple case studies methodology was used to understand whether and in which aspects family firms and nonfamily firms differ. In particular, a sample of 14 small enterprises (seven family and seven nonfamily firms) operating in the agri‐food industry and located in Italy was studied. Results suggest that family and nonfamily firms are similar with regard to green innovation characteristics, features of the green innovation process, faced challenges, and achieved outcomes. On the contrary, family firms differ from nonfamily firms in three key areas: firm's motivations, most relevant pressures, and green innovation view.

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  • Rosa Maria Dangelico & Alberto Nastasi & Simone Pisa, 2019. "A comparison of family and nonfamily small firms in their approach to green innovation: A study of Italian companies in the agri‐food industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(7), pages 1434-1448, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:28:y:2019:i:7:p:1434-1448
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.2324
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    1. Troise, Ciro & Tani, Mario & Dinsmore, John & Schiuma, Giovanni, 2021. "Understanding the implications of equity crowdfunding on sustainability-oriented innovation and changes in agri-food systems: Insights into an open innovation approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    2. Limin Geng & Xueyuan Lu & Can Zhang, 2023. "The Theoretical Lineage and Evolutionary Logic of Research on the Environmental Behavior of Family Firms: A Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-23, March.
    3. García-Granero, Eva M. & Piedra-Muñoz, Laura & Galdeano-Gómez, Emilio, 2020. "Measuring eco-innovation dimensions: The role of environmental corporate culture and commercial orientation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(8).
    4. Banjo Roxas, 2022. "Eco‐innovations of firms: A longitudinal analysis of the roles of industry norms and proactive environmental strategy," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 515-531, January.
    5. Bauweraerts, Jonathan & Arzubiaga, Unai & Diaz-Moriana, Vanessa, 2022. "Going greener, performing better? The case of private family firms," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    6. Nishanthi Kariyapperuma & Eva Collins, 2021. "Family logics and environmental sustainability: A study of the New Zealand wine industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(8), pages 3626-3650, December.
    7. Rafaela Gjergji & Luigi Vena & Salvatore Sciascia & Alessandro Cortesi, 2021. "The effects of environmental, social and governance disclosure on the cost of capital in small and medium enterprises: The role of family business status," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 683-693, January.
    8. Francesco Aiello & Paola Cardamone & Lidia Mannarino & Valeria Pupo, 2021. "Green patenting and corporate social responsibility: Does family involvement in business matter?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(4), pages 1386-1396, July.
    9. Alvaro Rojas & Daniel Lorenzo, 2021. "Environmental and Social Goals in Spanish SMEs: The Moderating Effect of Family Influence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, February.
    10. Mattia Iotti & Giuseppe Bonazzi, 2023. "Financial Sustainability in Agri-Food Companies: The Case of Members of the PDO Parma Ham Consortium," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-31, February.
    11. Zhiyong Zheng & Yongbin Xu, 2022. "Environmental Regulation, Family Involvement and Green Innovation Efficiency—Based on Sew Theory Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-21, October.
    12. Isabel-María García-Sánchez & Lázaro Rodríguez-Ariza & María-del-Carmen Granada-Abarzuza, 2021. "The Influence of Female Directors and Institutional Pressures on Corporate Social Responsibility in Family Firms in Latin America," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-20, January.
    13. James J. Cordeiro & Giorgia Profumo & Ilaria Tutore, 2021. "Family ownership and stockholder reactions to environmental performance disclosure: A test of secondary agency relationships," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 2091-2107, May.
    14. Juan Felipe Reyes‐Rodríguez & John Parm Ulhøi, 2022. "Justifying environmental sustainability in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises: An analysis of complementary assets in the printing industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 59-75, January.
    15. García-Granero, Eva M. & Piedra-Muñoz, Laura & Galdeano-Gómez, Emilio, 2020. "Measuring eco-innovation dimensions: The role of environmental corporate culture and commercial orientation," MPRA Paper 119909, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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