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The Green Side of Industry: The Drivers and the Impacts of ECO-Innovations in Brazil

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  • Fernanda Q. Sperotto

    (Centre of Studies in Geography and Spatial Planning (CEGOT), 4150-564 Porto, Portugal
    Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Porto, Via Panorâmica s/n, 4150-564 Porto, Portugal)

  • Iván G. P. Tartaruga

    (Centre of Studies in Geography and Spatial Planning (CEGOT), 4150-564 Porto, Portugal
    Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Porto, Via Panorâmica s/n, 4150-564 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

This study aimed to provide an overview of eco-innovations in the Brazilian industry. To address this issue, we analyzed specific data of eco-innovative companies. In addition, we applied the cluster heatmap technique, which allowed us to analyze the different drivers and impacts of eco-innovations in different sectors. According to the results, companies that stated that innovation made it possible to reduce their environmental impact represent a third of all innovators. Moreover, they are companies that have shown greater effort to innovate and greater susceptibility to the benefits and obstacles of innovation. Furthermore, the eco-innovation strategy is mainly driven by market factors, such as reputation and codes of good practice. The impacts are mainly associated with the use of more widespread and less complex technologies, such as recycling. In addition to these results, the study considers some alternatives to guide the innovation policy, especially related to eco-innovations in semi-peripherical countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Fernanda Q. Sperotto & Iván G. P. Tartaruga, 2021. "The Green Side of Industry: The Drivers and the Impacts of ECO-Innovations in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-23, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:14:p:8065-:d:597258
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    sustainability; green technologies; environmental innovation; industry; Brazil;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L6 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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