Jana Hojnik

Drivers of and barriers to eco-innovation: a case study

This study seeks to elucidate the drivers of and barriers to eco-innovation deployment. In order to obtain greater insight into the motives for and hindrances to eco-innovation deployment, we employ a case study approach, based on interviews of five Slovenian companies active in eco-innovation. The main insights of this study are threefold. First, companies seem to be influenced by both internal and external drivers in implementing eco-innovation. Among the internal drivers, the most emphasis has been placed on environmental concerns and cost reduction, while the most important external drivers are customer pressure, competition and regulatory pressure. Second, barriers to eco-innovation also derive from external and internal pressures. Costs (upfront investment for eco-innovation implementation) prevail within the internal barriers, while legislation seems to be the most commonly experienced external barrier. Finally, the outcomes of eco-innovation that companies most often expect are reduction in costs and compliance with legislation, which is coherent with reported outcomes.

Is innovation really a determinant of internationalisation? The case of Slovenian internationalised companies

Based on a sample of 108 Slovenian companies, from the 1,000 most internationalised ones, we strived to explore the relationship between two strategic directions - innovation and internationalisation. The relationships between factor of innovation and the dependent variables of internationalisation (scale and scope) have been tested with regression analysis. The results have confirmed that models consisting of innovation and internationalisation scope (as a dependent variable) are statistically significant and can be supported, while models dealing with the relationship between the innovation factor and internationalisation scale as a dependent variable cannot be supported. Therefore, the results lead us to the conclusion that innovations are determinants of internationalisation scope of the Slovenian most internationalised companies, but do not determine the extent of their international activities.

Drivers of eco-innovation: empirical evidence from Slovenia

This paper uses a regression analysis to explore the determinants of eco-innovation, based on a sample of 80 Slovenian companies. The findings of this study are two-fold. First, the determinants of eco-innovation vary depending on the type of eco-innovation (product, process or organisational). The results reveal that customer demand and competitive pressure drive product eco-innovation, while managerial environmental concern, competitive intensity and competitive pressure spur process eco-innovation, and only competitive pressure exerted effect on organisational eco-innovation. Second, the findings indicate that competitive pressure is a common driver of all three eco-innovation types (product, process and organisational). Therefore, the results lead to the conclusion that different factors spur different eco-innovation types, while competitive pressure works as a common driver of all three eco-innovation types. Based on the results, we can infer that implementation of eco-innovations is becoming a relevant strategy for companies to establish a green image and pursue sustainability in this intense competitive environment.

Eco-Innovation and Firm Efficiency: Empirical Evidence from Slovenia

Eco-innovation plays an increasingly important role for the competitiveness of companies. They open up new market opportunities due to the growing demand for eco-friendly products and can increase business efficiency. Using a dynamic capabilities lens, this article analyzes the relationships between various types of eco-innovation (product, process and organizational) and firm efficiency in the context of less innovative and more innovative companies. We use data from an online survey of Slovenian companies that have implemented eco-innovations as part of their operations. Statistical tests include an analysis of variance and a linear regression analysis. We find that organizational eco-innovation positively affects firm efficiency at all companies independent of their innovation potential, while process eco-innovation is positively associated with firm efficiency only among more innovative companies. In addition, at less innovative companies, firm age positively affects firm efficiency, suggesting that older and less innovative companies may enjoy learning curve benefits derived from experience. However, firm size has a positive effect on firm efficiency at more innovative companies, suggesting that more innovative companies may benefit from economies of scale. In general, more innovative companies are more likely to engage in eco-innovation and more likely to derive cost benefits (efficiency) from different types of eco-innovation. The main limitations of our analysis are the subjective data on the level of firms’ innovation and efficiency, the cross-sectional study design, and the single-country setting. Further in-depth longitudinal studies could better model the direction of causality between the implementation of eco-innovation and business efficiency, obtain objective data on business innovation, and ensure a more detailed and nuanced exploration of dynamic firm capabilities.

Outline of Implemented Eco-innovation Activities - the Case of Clusters of South Eastern European Region

Abstract Background and Purpose: Providing a win-win situation for enterprises and the environment is raising the importance of eco-innovation. This article sheds light on the eco-innovation activities implemented within the clusters of the South Eastern European region (hereafter the SEE region). The main objective of this paper is to provide an outline of the situation pertaining to the implementation of eco-innovation activities in analyzed clusters. Methodology: Empirical evidence is provided through the performance of survey research with a sample of 52 clusters, encompassing 11 countries of the SEE region. The basic research method used in this research was a questionnaire developed for cluster organizations, with which we gathered the data and afterwards conducted descriptive statistics. Results: The findings demonstrate that the majority of analyzed clusters implement eco-innovation activities. The results indicate that 40 clusters out of 52 in all have set objectives with regard to eco-innovation support in their national or regional programs, followed by 35 clusters, which include objectives related to eco-innovation in their cluster strategies, and lastly, only 15 clusters are primarily focused on eco-innovation. Hence, our study depicting the current situation regarding the implementation of eco-innovation activities in analyzed clusters and clusters’ orientation towards eco-innovation leads to us the discussion of why such differences in clusters occur. Conclusion: The huge differences related to the implementation of eco-innovation activities in clusters of the SEE region, can also reflect the level of the national/regional development in terms of economic indicators such as GDP and, at the same time, offer room for a lot of improvement, and an exchange of best practice.