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Barriers to the Implementation of Green Chemistry in the United States

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  • Clark, William C.
  • Anastas, Paul T.
  • Zimmerman, Julie B.
  • Matus, Kira Jen Mendelsohn

Abstract

This paper investigates the conditions under which firms are able to develop and implement innovations with sustainable development benefits. In particular, we examine “green chemistry†innovations in the United States. Via interviews with green chemistry leaders from industry, academia, nongovernmental institutions (NGOs), and government, we identified six major categories of challenges commonly confronted by innovators: (1) economic and financial, (2) regulatory, (3) technical, (4) organizational, (5) cultural, and (6) definition and metrics. Further analysis of these barriers shows that in the United States, two elements of these that are particular to the implementation of green chemistry innovations are the absence of clear definitions and metrics for use by researchers and decision makers, as well as the interdisciplinary demands of these innovations on researchers and management. Finally, we conclude with some of the strategies that have been successful thus far in overcoming these barriers, and the types of policies which could have positive impacts moving forward.

Suggested Citation

  • Clark, William C. & Anastas, Paul T. & Zimmerman, Julie B. & Matus, Kira Jen Mendelsohn, 2012. "Barriers to the Implementation of Green Chemistry in the United States," Scholarly Articles 9639957, Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
    • Handle: RePEc:hrv:hksfac:9639957
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hubert Gatignon & Michael L. Tushman & Wendy Smith & Philip Anderson, 2002. "A Structural Approach to Assessing Innovation: Construct Development of Innovation Locus, Type, and Characteristics," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 48(9), pages 1103-1122, September.
    2. Matus, Kira J. M. & Xiao, Xin & Zimmerman, Julie B., 2012. "Green chemistry and green engineering in China: drivers, policies and barriers to innovation," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 43535, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Sanjaya Lall & Carlo Pietrobelli, 2002. "Failing to Compete," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 2360, June.
    4. Dahlman, Carl J. & Ross-Larson, Bruce & Westphal, Larry E., 1987. "Managing technological development: Lessons from the newly industrializing countries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 15(6), pages 759-775, June.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Muench, Stefan & Thuss, Sebastian & Guenther, Edeltraud, 2014. "What hampers energy system transformations? The case of smart grids," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 80-92.
    3. Lozano, Rodrigo & Carpenter, Angela & Satric, Vojislavka, 2013. "Fostering green chemistry through a collaborative business model: A Chemical Leasing case study from Serbia," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 136-144.
    4. Jesús Valero-Gil & Pilar Rivera-Torres & Conchita Garcés-Ayerbe, 2017. "How Is Environmental Proactivity Accomplished? Drivers and Barriers in Firms’ Pro-Environmental Change Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-15, July.
    5. Anna Cabigiosu, 2022. "Sustainable development and incumbents' open innovation strategies for a greener competence‐destroying technology: The case of electric vehicles," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2315-2336, July.

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