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A comparison of family and nonfamily small firms in their approach to green innovation: A study of Italian companies in the agri‐food industry

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  • Rosa Maria Dangelico
  • Alberto Nastasi
  • Simone Pisa

Abstract

Despite the growing scholars' attention toward green innovation, on the one hand, and family firms, on the other hand, there is still limited attention toward the intersection of these two streams of literature, because very few studies deal with green innovation in family firms. This paper aims at comparing family and nonfamily small firms in their approach to green innovation. To this aim, a multiple case studies methodology was used to understand whether and in which aspects family firms and nonfamily firms differ. In particular, a sample of 14 small enterprises (seven family and seven nonfamily firms) operating in the agri‐food industry and located in Italy was studied. Results suggest that family and nonfamily firms are similar with regard to green innovation characteristics, features of the green innovation process, faced challenges, and achieved outcomes. On the contrary, family firms differ from nonfamily firms in three key areas: firm's motivations, most relevant pressures, and green innovation view.

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  • Rosa Maria Dangelico & Alberto Nastasi & Simone Pisa, 2019. "A comparison of family and nonfamily small firms in their approach to green innovation: A study of Italian companies in the agri‐food industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(7), pages 1434-1448, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:28:y:2019:i:7:p:1434-1448
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.2324
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    2. García-Granero, Eva M. & Piedra-Muñoz, Laura & Galdeano-Gómez, Emilio, 2020. "Measuring eco-innovation dimensions: The role of environmental corporate culture and commercial orientation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(8).
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    4. Bauweraerts, Jonathan & Arzubiaga, Unai & Diaz-Moriana, Vanessa, 2022. "Going greener, performing better? The case of private family firms," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
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    7. Troise, Ciro & Tani, Mario & Dinsmore, John & Schiuma, Giovanni, 2021. "Understanding the implications of equity crowdfunding on sustainability-oriented innovation and changes in agri-food systems: Insights into an open innovation approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    8. Juan Felipe Reyes‐Rodríguez & John Parm Ulhøi, 2022. "Justifying environmental sustainability in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises: An analysis of complementary assets in the printing industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 59-75, January.
    9. Andrea Pronti & Emy Zecca & Davide Antonioli, 2024. "Micro is beautiful. Adoption of eco‐innovations in micro‐firms," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 1341-1368, February.
    10. García-Granero, Eva M. & Piedra-Muñoz, Laura & Galdeano-Gómez, Emilio, 2020. "Measuring eco-innovation dimensions: The role of environmental corporate culture and commercial orientation," MPRA Paper 119909, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Inés Herrero & Cristina López & Rocío Ruiz‐Benítez, 2024. "So … are family firms more sustainable? On the economic, social and environmental sustainability of family SMEs," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(5), pages 4252-4270, July.
    12. Limin Geng & Xueyuan Lu & Can Zhang, 2023. "The Theoretical Lineage and Evolutionary Logic of Research on the Environmental Behavior of Family Firms: A Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-23, March.
    13. Mattia Iotti & Giuseppe Bonazzi, 2023. "Financial Sustainability in Agri-Food Companies: The Case of Members of the PDO Parma Ham Consortium," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-31, February.
    14. Francesco Aiello & Paola Cardamone & Lidia Mannarino & Valeria Pupo, 2021. "Green patenting and corporate social responsibility: Does family involvement in business matter?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(4), pages 1386-1396, July.
    15. Michaela Kotkova Striteska & Katerina Myslivcova & Viktor Prokop & Lucie Zapletalova, 2024. "Employees' engagement, family ownership, or gender diversity? Searching for determinants of SMEs' green behaviors in CEE countries," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(4), pages 3065-3080, July.
    16. Marcos Carchano & Jean-Marie Cardebat & Angela Gonzalez & Inmaculada Carrasco, 2024. "Moving toward environmental sustainability through green entrepreneurship: assessing the moderating role of managerial environmental commitment," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 2209-2240, September.
    17. Zhiyong Zheng & Yongbin Xu, 2022. "Environmental Regulation, Family Involvement and Green Innovation Efficiency—Based on Sew Theory Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-21, October.
    18. Isabel-María García-Sánchez & Lázaro Rodríguez-Ariza & María-del-Carmen Granada-Abarzuza, 2021. "The Influence of Female Directors and Institutional Pressures on Corporate Social Responsibility in Family Firms in Latin America," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-20, January.
    19. James J. Cordeiro & Giorgia Profumo & Ilaria Tutore, 2021. "Family ownership and stockholder reactions to environmental performance disclosure: A test of secondary agency relationships," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 2091-2107, May.
    20. Alvaro Rojas & Daniel Lorenzo, 2021. "Environmental and Social Goals in Spanish SMEs: The Moderating Effect of Family Influence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, February.

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