The role of institutional pressures in the introduction of energy‐efficiency innovations. (30th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Garrone, Paola; Grilli, Luca; Mrkajic, Boris
• Is Part Of: Business strategy and the environment. Volume 27:Number 8(2018)
• Page Start: 1245
• Page End: 1257
• Publication Date: 2018-04-30
• Subjects: energy‐efficiency innovation -- institutional division of labor -- institutional theory -- regulatory pressures -- small and medium enterprises -- social pressures; Industrial management -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Industries -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 658.4083
• DOI: 10.1002/bse.2072
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-4733

Abstract

Abstract: Relying on the institutional and innovation theories, we argue that the institutional features of countries are significantly influencing energy‐efficiency innovation (EEI), a relevant and particular type of environmental innovation activities. Analysis of a cross‐sectional sample of 22, 936 firms from nine European countries, drawn from the 2006–8 Community Innovation Survey, confirms the hypothesis that formal and informal institutions influence the propensity of firms to introduce EEIs in general. Furthermore, formal institutions that generate regulatory pressures are found to spur both product and process EEI activities, while informal institutions exerting social pressures are able to significantly drive only product EEI activities. Large firms appear to be relatively more reactive to high regulatory pressures. We draw implications for policy‐makers and managers based on the findings.