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Responsibility versus Profit: The Motives of Food Firms for Healthy Product Innovation

Author

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  • Jilde Garst

    (Management Studies Group, School of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Vincent Blok

    (Management Studies Group, School of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands
    Management Studies Group and Philosophy Group, School of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Léon Jansen

    (Schuttelaar & Partners, 6708 WH Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Onno S. W. F. Omta

    (Management Studies Group, School of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Background: In responsible research and innovation (RRI), innovation is seen as a way in which humankind finds solutions for societal issues. However, studies on commercial innovation show that firms respond in a different manner and at a different speed to the same societal issue. This study investigates what role organizational motives play in the product innovation processes of firms when aiming for socially responsible outcomes. Methods: This multiple-case study investigates the motives of food firms for healthier product innovation by interviewing firms about the organizational motives behind product reformulation and innovation. Results: This study highlights the importance of having both instrumental and moral motives in the innovation process when aiming for socially responsible outcomes, and how both these motives interact and contribute to responsible innovation in industry. Furthermore, the study results question the nature of relational motives as a separate category from the other two categories of motives, as suggested by corporate social responsibility (CSR) scholars. Conclusions: If commercial innovation needs to contribute to solutions for societal issues, the importance of moral motives has to be stressed without annihilating the instrumental objectives of firms. Both motives contribute to the success factors of responsible product innovation in industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Jilde Garst & Vincent Blok & Léon Jansen & Onno S. W. F. Omta, 2017. "Responsibility versus Profit: The Motives of Food Firms for Healthy Product Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-29, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:12:p:2286-:d:122199
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Ana Labella-Fernández & M. Mar Serrano-Arcos & Belén Payán-Sánchez, 2021. "Firm Growth as a Driver of Sustainable Product Innovation: Mediation and Moderation Analysis. Evidence from Manufacturing Firms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-22, March.
    4. Bekele, Marta G. & Muthuri, Judy N. & Ayele, Mengistu Bogale, 2024. "The influence of national culture on corporate social responsibility in the Ethiopian mining sector," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    5. Ali, Jabir & Reed, Michael R. & Saghaian, Sayed H., 2021. "Determinants of product innovation in food and agribusiness small and medium enterprises: evidence from enterprise survey data of India," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 24(5), May.
    6. Lirios Alos-Simo & Antonio J. Verdu-Jover & Jose M. Gomez-Gras, 2020. "The Dynamic Process of Ambidexterity in Eco-Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, March.
    7. Niclas Erhardt & Carlos Martin-Rios & Jason Bolton & Matthew Luth, 2022. "Doing Well by Creating Economic Value through Social Values among Craft Beer Breweries: A Case Study in Responsible Innovation and Growth," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-17, February.
    8. Jolita Ceicyte & Monika Petraite, 2018. "Networked Responsibility Approach for Responsible Innovation: Perspective of the Firm," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-15, May.
    9. André Martinuzzi & Vincent Blok & Alexander Brem & Bernd Stahl & Norma Schönherr, 2018. "Responsible Research and Innovation in Industry—Challenges, Insights and Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-9, March.
    10. Blok, Vincent & Scholten, Victor & Long, Thomas B., 2018. "Responsible innovation in industry and the importance of customer orientation: introduction to the special issue," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 21(4).
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