Eco-innovation in SMEs: a scientometric review

Abstract

In recent years, the research of SMEs’ eco-innovation (EI) has gained attention on an international scale. However, only a few studies provide a global research panorama. This study attempts to bridge this knowledge gap by utilizing the scientometric tools. A total of 749 articles from ISI web of science core collection were collected and analyzed to generate the result, which demonstrated a wealth of useful new conclusions in this domain. The results show that (i) the research topics on SMEs’ EI are changing dynamically and become more diversified from 1997 to 2021, especially from 2014 to 2021. (ii) The newest research frontiers are logically consistent with the previous knowledge base, while reflect the novelty of the research, which shows more correlation and adaptation to the newest development situation. (iii) The innovation paradigm in this field has not yet formed, and correlational studies are still in the early stage and a paradigm of open innovation is strongly recommended for researchers. And the barriers, category, process, outcome, and more similar subdivided themes of SMEs’ EI are worthy to be further explored. For research methods, inter-regional, inter-institutional, and interdisciplinary perspectives are hopeful to contribute to future research avenues. Some useful inspirations are also provided for practitioners to develop SMEs’ EI.

A Bibliometric Review on Eco-Innovation in SMEs: Current Status, Development and Future Directions

“…For example, in the United States, SMEs refer to enterprises with fewer than 500 employees. The European Commission further divides enterprises into small enterprises and medium-sized enterprises, with the latter having fewer than 250 employees [10]. Whether roughly divided into SMEs or further refined into small enterprises and medium enterprises, they all have a leaner organizational structure and are primarily directed by their managers.…”

“…Its representative literature exhibits the highest burst intensity of 27.22. Klewitz and Hansen summarized the strategies and practices of sustainable development innovation in SMEs, categorizing the former as resistive, responsive, anticipatory, and innovative, and the latter as product, process, and organization [10]. Additionally, other scholars have identified management's innovation awareness and practice [80], as well as resources, to support sustainable innovation in SMEs [81].…”

Responsible innovation and sustainable competitive advantage: is big data the missing link?

“…Several studies explored innovation (Mai et al, 2022;Shehzad et al, 2022), open innovation (Elia et al, 2022;Capurro et al, 2021), eco-innovation (Zhang et al, 2022b;Yan et al, 2022), green innovation (Al-Khatib, 2022a, b;Feng et al, 2021) and RI (Bacq and Aguilera, 2022;Stahl, 2022;Adomako and Tran, 2022). Previous literature ignored RI and BDAC in the context of SMEs.…”

An Analysis of Eco-Innovation Capabilities among Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia

“…This is why developing eco-innovation capabilities is so important and has such a positive impact and value on manufacturing SMEs. Implementing eco-innovation capabilities that prioritise environmental sustainability increases SMEs' chances of competing with large businesses (Yan et al 2022). In addition, local support, high flexibility, and exceptional resources are the most relevant factors for SMEs to develop eco-innovation capabilities during daily manufacturing operations (Pacheco et al 2018).…”