This study analyzes the production of knowledge in the field of eco-innovation, checking its state of the art in order to discuss topics of future research. Specifically, it assesses the pulp, paper, and paper products industry in Brazil in order to examine the drivers of the adoption of eco-innovation strategies. The study is essentially a review of the literature, with a methodology based on exploratory research, and using the documental and bibliographical qualitative method. The empirical research was based on a quantitative approach using the strategy of a cross-sectional survey by means of a self-administered online questionnaire. It was verified that the studies related to eco-innovation are still preliminary and that the subject lacks specific research with empirical data from survey and in-depth case studies. The following topics were checked for studies on innovation in environmental issues on conceptual and theoretical discussion; models and indicators for evaluating the eco-innovation; types; and political arguments for their development, with the proposition of research lines within this context. The results of the empirical research allow us to conclude that factors such as environmental regulation, the use of environmental incentives and innovation, reputation effects, top management M. B. Maçaneiro et al. support, technological expertise, and environmental formalization in the context of domestic enterprises are crucial to the adoption of eco-innovation. Further, the higher the extent to which companies embrace an environmental and innovative culture, the greater the internalization of eco-innovative practices.RESUMEN. Este estudio analiza la producción de conocimiento en el campo de la ecoinnovación a través de la verificación de su estado actual, con el objeto de discutir temas que serán investigados en el futuro. Con el propósito de examinar los factores que impulsan la adopción de estrategias ecoinnovadoras, el mismo evalúa específicamente el sector de pulpa, papel y productos de la industria de papel en Brasil. Se caracteriza por representar una revisión de la literatura, cuya sistemática está basada en una investigación exploratoria que emplea un método cualitativo bibliográfico y documental. Basada en un enfoque cuantitativo, la investigación empírica se realizó por medio de un cuestionario de amplio espectro, autoadministrado online. Se comprobó que los estudios relacionados a la econinnovación se encuentran aún en su etapa preliminar, y que el tema no cuenta con una investigación específica con datos empíricos obtenidos a través de encuestas y estudios de caso exhaustivos. Verificamos los siguientes tópicos sobre cuestiones ambientales e innovación: discusión teórica y conceptual; modelos e indicadores necesarios para evaluar la ecoinnovación; tipologías; debates políticos para su desarrollo, así como una propuesta indicando líneas de investigación dentro de este contexto. Los resultados de la investigación empírica nos permiten concluir que factores tales como las regulaciones ambient...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to characterize sustainable development and sustainability as study objects for comparative management theory. Design/methodology/approach – The primary objective of this paper is to characterize sustainable development and sustainability as study objects for comparative management theory. Findings – Analytical dimensions were related to establishing three proposals, which represent possible theoretical routes for characterizing sustainable development and sustainability as study objects for comparative management theory. A framework which illustrates the theoretical route taken to develop these proposals is presented at the end of the theoretical-analytical discussions. Research limitations/implications – This paper considers that discussion about sustainable development, sustainability and comparative management theory, as interesting themes for organizational studies, lack epistemological clarity and theoretical depth. Such shortcomings are identified based upon the difficulty in identifying ontological postures, epistemological perspectives, dominant paradigms and conceptual approaches that enable greater coherence to analysis of these themes, and also support the undertaking of research that can contribute to enriching proposals related to comparative management theory. Originality/value – This is an innovative paper as it relates comparative management theory approaches with structural concepts from sustainable development and sustainability developed using contributions from organizational theories, sociological reflections, and political science. The proposed characterization is intended to blaze new and alternative epistemological paths for adding greater rigor to empirical research focussed on the relationship investigated here in a theoretical context.

c RESUMOO debate sobre inovação é relevante, quando se trata de compreender o potencial do empreendedorismo como um fenômeno que alavanca o desenvolvimento econômico. Os resultados da pesquisa Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), de âmbito internacional, mostram que, apesar de o Brasil ser conhecido como um dos países mais empreendedores, esses empreendimentos são pouco inovadores. Para compreender esse cenário, este artigo tem por objetivo analisar a capacidade de inovação e desenvolvimento tecnológico das empresas nascentes e novas no Brasil, no período de 2001 a 2006. Inicialmente, faz-se um recorte teórico sobre o conceito de Sistema Nacional de Inovação (SNI) para, em seguida, explicar o atual desestímulo à criação de empresas inovadoras no Brasil, com base nos resultados estatísticos de instituições reconhecidas nacional e internacionalmente. São três os fatores que explicam o baixo potencial inovador dos empreendimentos novos no Brasil: a motivação por necessidade, que faz criar empresas geradoras de emprego e renda; a estrutura de mercado caracterizada pela competição; e o incipiente Sistema Nacional de Inovação que não cria um ambiente propício à cooperação que possibilite o acúmulo de competências e o aprendizado tecnológico interativo.Palavras-chave: Sistema Nacional de Inovação, empreendedorismo, inovação. ABSTRACTThe discussion on innovation is relevant when it comes to understanding the potential of entrepreneurship as a phenomenon that levers the economic development. The results of the gem research, of international extent, show that in spite of Brazil being one of the most enterprising countries, these enterprises are not much innovatory. To understand this scenery, this article's objective is to analyze the capacity of innovation and technological development of the nascent and new enterprises in Brazil, in the period from 2001 to 2006. Initially a theoretical cut-out is done on the concept of national innovation system (NIS) in order to explain the lack of stimulation to the creation of innovatory enterprises in Brazil, based on the statistical results of recognized institutions nationally and internationally. There are three factors that explain the low innovatory potential of the new enterprises in Brazil: motivation by necessity, which creates enterprises with the function of creating new jobs and revenues; the market's structure, characterized by competition; and the incipient national innovation system, that does not create a favorable environment to cooperation which is what makes the accumulation of competences and the technological interactive apprenticeship possible.

Mundialmente, as empresas são impelidas a construírem capacidades para fazer face ao momento de intensa competição. No caso do Brasil, a pressão pela abertura dos mercados e a internacionalização da concorrência têm impulsionado as empresas a buscarem formas alternativas para acelerar o desenvolvimento tecnológico. Propõe-se no presente trabalho examinar a questão de como as empresas brasileiras conseguem aumentar a sua capacidade tecnológica e tornarem-se internacionalmente competitivas. Para tal, três tipos de fatores foram analisados: (1) os fatores intrafirma; (2) os fatores interfirmas pelas alianças estratégicas; e (3) os fatores exógenos à firma em cinco empresas do setor eletro-eletrônico brasileiro. Conclui-se que as alianças estratégicas podem acelerar o desenvolvimento da capacidade tecnológica das empresas que já possuem capacidade de absorção para tanto. A influência dos fatores exógenos, tais como as características do mercado e as políticas públicas, são percebidos pelos entrevistados de maneira desigual, impossibilitando uma conclusão específica sobre o impacto no desenvolvimento da capacidade tecnológica e possível associação com os outros dois fatores. Futuras pesquisas deverão ter como objeto o impacto dos fatores exógenos para seu melhor entendimento.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose styles of reasoning for the characterization of sustainable development and sustainability as quasi‐objects of study for management.Design/methodology/approachThis proposition occurs in three primary dimensions: the first deals with ontological postures, the second with epistemological perspectives, and the third with supplementary conceptualizations (dominant paradigms, the meanings of sustainable development and sustainability, and the approaches to classifying sustainability).FindingsAfter the theoretical‐analytical discussion the authors present a framework that classifies different possibilities for framing sustainable development and sustainability as interesting research themes for management studies.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper considers that discussions about sustainable development and sustainability as concerns management studies need a deeper conceptual and theoretical scrutiny. This deficiency is expressed in the difficulty in identifying ontological postures, epistemological perspectives, dominant paradigms, and conceptual approaches that might allow these themes to have a greater coherence so that they may be researched within the scope of management studies.Originality/valueSustainable development and sustainability are discussed using various analytical perspectives, a consequence of the fact that these phenomena are understood and discussed by various social collectives, which contributes to an interpretive and conceptual oscillation of these themes for management. The relationship between sustainable development, sustainability, and social factions justifies their characterization as quasi‐objects of study for management. Via this characterization the authors intend to create a space for discussion aimed at presenting statements that are candidates for truth, but not as absolute or unquestionable truths.