A1 Journal article (refereed)
Managing the complexity of green innovation (2022)
Abadzhiev, A., Sukhov, A., Sihvonen, A., & Johnson, M. (2022). Managing the complexity of green innovation. European Journal of Innovation Management, 25(6), 850-866. https://doi.org/10.1108/ejim-02-2022-0098
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Abadzhiev, Andrey; Sukhov, Alexandre; Sihvonen, Antti; Johnson, Mikael
Journal or series: European Journal of Innovation Management
ISSN: 1460-1060
eISSN: 1758-7115
Publication year: 2022
Publication date: 12/07/2022
Volume: 25
Issue number: 6
Pages range: 850-866
Publisher: Emerald
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ejim-02-2022-0098
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82514
Abstract
Green innovation can promote both environmental sustainability and economic growth. However, its development and implementation can be complex due to the need to align innovation activities within and across companies. In this study, the authors examined how this complexity can be managed by analyzing how individual companies combine different innovation activities to develop green innovation, and how companies along the value chain align to implement these innovations.
Design/methodology/approach
The dataset comprises both interviews and a survey of senior executives from the Swedish wood construction industry. These data were first analyzed by using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to identify innovation activity configurations at the level of the individual company. The interviews were then analyzed to identify alignment mechanisms enabling the implementation of green innovation along the value chain.
Findings
At the company level, the authors found three innovation activity configurations with varying levels of complexity: (1) systemic innovation by proactive companies, (2) process innovation by reactive companies and (3) inaction by technology-independent companies. On the value chain level, the authors found three alignment mechanisms that facilitate the implementation of green innovation along the value chain. These mechanisms promote cooperation by increasing efficiency, opening up new market opportunities and increasing the level of servitization.
Originality/value
This paper analyzes the complexity of green innovation and provides novel insights into how complexity is managed at the level of both the individual company and the value chain.
Keywords: innovations; environment; economic growth; value chains; sustainable development; green economy
Free keywords: complexity; FsQCA; green innovation; innovation; sustainable development; value chain
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2022
JUFO rating: 1
