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Responsible innovators: open networks on the way to sustainability transitions

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  • van Geenhuizen, Marina
  • Ye, Qing

Abstract

This paper elucidates ways in which small high-technology companies through using open knowledge networks may contribute to sustainability transitions. The analysis focuses on young university spin-off companies as an important channel for bringing responsible innovations from university to market while it connects the micro-level with the meso-level of networks supporting socio-technical system changes. A conceptual reflection on responsible innovation, openness in knowledge networks and socio-technical systems’ transitions, is followed by an empirical research. Based on a hundred companies and four case studies, the results indicate that responsible innovation is one of the drivers of openness in knowledge networks. However, partner diversity in openness tends to have a negative effect on growth of the companies. Our preliminary evidence indicates that focus (product–market) and selectivity in the choice of partners connected to professional (venture) capital, market access, credibility and complementary assets are highly relevant when it comes to influencing change in socio-technical systems. A discussion of the implications of this study and suggestions for future research close the paper.

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  • van Geenhuizen, Marina & Ye, Qing, 2014. "Responsible innovators: open networks on the way to sustainability transitions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 28-40.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:87:y:2014:i:c:p:28-40
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2014.06.001
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    2. Tali-Noy Hindi & Amnon Frenkel, 2022. "The contribution of collaboration to the development of sustainable innovation in high-tech companies," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Maria Emilsson & Ulf Ernstson & Linn Gustavsson & Ann Svensson, 2020. "Sustainable Innovations in Small Enterprises for the Transformation of the Primary Healthcare Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-19, August.
    4. Livio Cricelli & Marco Greco & Michele Grimaldi, 2016. "Assessing The Open Innovation Trends By Means Of The Eurostat Community Innovation Survey," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 20(03), pages 1-30, April.
    5. Marina Van Geenhuizen & Razieh Nejabat, 2021. "Municipalities’ Policy on Innovation and Market Introduction in Sustainable Energy: A Focus on Local Young Technology Firms," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-18, February.
    6. Razieh Nejabat & Marina Van Geenhuizen, 2019. "Entrepreneurial Risk-Taking in Sustainable Energy: University Spin-Off Firms and Market Introduction in Northwest Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-23, December.
    7. Wang, Xiaoqing & Qin, Chuan & Liu, Yufeng & Tanasescu, Cristina & Bao, Jiangnan, 2023. "Emerging enablers of green low-carbon development: Do digital economy and open innovation matter?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(PA).
    8. Jones, Jane & Corral de Zubielqui, Graciela, 2017. "Doing well by doing good: A study of university-industry interactions, innovationess and firm performance in sustainability-oriented Australian SMEs," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 262-270.
    9. Alberto Melane-Lavado & Agustín Álvarez-Herranz, 2020. "Cooperation Networks as a Driver of Sustainability-Oriented Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-26, April.
    10. Leopoldo Gutierrez & Ivan Montiel & Jordi A. Surroca & Josep A. Tribo, 2022. "Rainbow Wash or Rainbow Revolution? Dynamic Stakeholder Engagement for SDG-Driven Responsible Innovation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 180(4), pages 1113-1136, November.
    11. Dorin Maier & Andreea Maier & Ioan Așchilean & Livia Anastasiu & Ovidiu Gavriș, 2020. "The Relationship between Innovation and Sustainability: A Bibliometric Review of the Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-20, May.
    12. Marina Van Geenhuizen & Razie Nejabat, 2016. "University spin-off firms in sustainable energy in five countries: What determines their reaching of the market?," ERSA conference papers ersa16p759, European Regional Science Association.
    13. Mario Calabrese & Antonio La Sala & Ryan Patrick Fuller & Antonio Laudando, 2021. "Digital Platform Ecosystems for Sustainable Innovation: Toward a New Meta-Organizational Model?," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-14, October.
    14. Alberto Melane-Lavado & Agustín Álvarez-Herranz, 2018. "Different Ways to Access Knowledge for Sustainability-Oriented Innovation. The Effect of Foreign Direct Investment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-30, November.
    15. Valentina Cillo & Antonio Messeni Petruzzelli & Lorenzo Ardito & Manlio Del Giudice, 2019. "Understanding sustainable innovation: A systematic literature review," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(5), pages 1012-1025, September.

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