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Sustainability-focused innovation in the business-to-business context: Antecedents and managerial implications

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  • Du, Shuili
  • Bstieler, Ludwig
  • Yalcinkaya, Goksel

Abstract

Although researchers and managers have examined various business outcomes of sustainability, the literature offers little insight into how firms could cultivate a higher level of sustainability focus in their NPD endeavors. Drawing upon the literature on sustainability and new product innovation and using a competency-based and dynamic capabilities perspective as the theoretical lens, this study develops a model of key antecedents to sustainability-focused innovation. Data from a survey of managers in 228 business-to-business firms suggest that 1) a higher level of global focus is associated with greater sustainability-focused innovation, 2) open innovation exhibits a curvilinear (inverted U-shaped) relationship with sustainability-focused innovation such that the influence of open innovation is positive at a moderate level but diminishes when open innovation becomes excessive, 3) the relationship between open innovation and sustainability-focused innovation is contingent on a firm’s innovation strategy, and 4) sustainability-focused innovation is positively related to a firm’s NPD performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Du, Shuili & Bstieler, Ludwig & Yalcinkaya, Goksel, 2022. "Sustainability-focused innovation in the business-to-business context: Antecedents and managerial implications," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 117-129.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:138:y:2022:i:c:p:117-129
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.09.006
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    3. Isaac Adubofour & Samuel Tabiri & Bright Parker Quayson & Jeffrey Appiagyei & Isaac Duah Boateng, 2024. "The Link between Sustainable Innovation and Industrial Performance: The Case of the United States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-17, April.
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    6. Wu, Linfei & Sun, Liwen & Chang, Qing & Zhang, Die & Qi, Peixiao, 2022. "How do digitalization capabilities enable open innovation in manufacturing enterprises? A multiple case study based on resource integration perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    7. Fadhlur Rahim Azmi & Mastura Roni & Megawati Sa’at, 2024. "Circular Supply Chain Management in Developing Countries: Challenges, Opportunities and Pathways to Sustainability," Information Management and Business Review, AMH International, vol. 16(1), pages 105-115.
    8. Guangying Xie & Shengyan Wu & Zhengjiang Song, 2022. "Focus on Innovation or Focus on Sales? The Influences of the Government of China’s Demand-Side Reform during COVID-19 and Their Sustainability Consequences in the Consumer Products Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-21, October.

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