Determinants of eco-innovations by type of environmental impact — The role of regulatory push/pull, technology push and market pull

Abstract

Die Dis cus si on Pape rs die nen einer mög lichst schnel len Ver brei tung von neue ren For schungs arbei ten des ZEW. Die Bei trä ge lie gen in allei ni ger Ver ant wor tung der Auto ren und stel len nicht not wen di ger wei se die Mei nung des ZEW dar.Dis cus si on Papers are inten ded to make results of ZEW research prompt ly avai la ble to other eco no mists in order to encou ra ge dis cus si on and sug gesti ons for revi si ons. The aut hors are sole ly respon si ble for the con tents which do not neces sa ri ly repre sent the opi ni on of the ZEW.Download this ZEW Discussion Paper from our ftp server:ftp://ftp.zew.de/pub/zew-docs/dp/dp11027.pdf Non technical summaryIn recent years, several studies have identified determinants of environmental innovations. In most econometric studies, environmental innovations in general were analyzed, some distinguish between end-of-pipe-innovations and cleaner production. Due to the lack of specific data, the existing literature on the driving forces of environmental innovations neglected the analysis of different environmental innovation types such as recycling, low carbon technologies or water management.The Community Innovation Panel (CIS) 2009 included, for the first time, a special module on eco-innovation differentiating between these specific types of environmental innovations. Analysing the German part of the CIS 2009, the main purpose of our paper is to test whether different types of environmental innovations (according to their environmental impacts) are triggered by different factors.Within our analysis, we define environmental innovations as product, process, marketing and organizational innovations leading to a noticeable reduction of environmental burdens. Positive environmental effects can be explicit goals or side-effects of innovations.In the literature, the important role of regulation and cost savings as motivations triggering eco-innovations is accentuated. In fact, a complex set of supply factors such as the endowment and availability of technological resources, company specific factors, organizational innovations, competition conditions or consumer demand have to be included in the analysis. Our empirical analysis shows that the innovation activities with high or medium environmental impacts concentrate on the reduction of energy use, CO 2 emissions and recycling whereas "older" areas such as the reduction of SO 2 or NO x emissions or water pollution that are not in the focus of present political discussions are under-represented.Except material and energy saving process innovations, regulations seem to be important for all other environmental impact areas. Especially for typically end-of-pipe oriented areas such as other air emissions (SO 2 or NO x ) the influence of present and future regulations is higher than for other areas. For innovations to reduce energy use cost-savings are the main motivation. Environmental Management Systems (EMS) seem to be especially important tools to trigger these cost-saving cleaner technologies because they help to...

The adoption of green energy technologies: The role of policies in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland

“…Their results suggest that the adoption of cleaner production technologies tends to be market driven and not so much by regulatory measures. Similarily, Horbach, Rammer, and Rennings (2012) investigated the influence of policies on firms’ decision for adopting environmentally friendly process innovations. They identified technologies according to their environmental impact; for instance, to save energy or to reduce C02 emissions.…”

Local Environmental Non-Profit Organizations and the Green Investment Strategies of Family Firms

“…In relation to primary stakeholders, a number of studies have explored customers' pressure, demand, satisfaction and benefits as a driver of firms' environmental behavior (Horbach et al, 2012;Kammerer, 2009;Rehfeld et al, 2007). The relevance of societal stakeholders has been studied both at macro and micro level.…”

Environmental technological innovation and market demand: is market orientation a missing link?

“…These can be achieved with more efficient process [23]. However, saving must come later as eco-innovation's economic success will be preceded by internal R&D and high investment intensity [17], [24].…”