A strategic perspective of eco-innovation drivers: Evidence from Canadian SMEs

The purpose of this article is to investigate the effect of the technology factors and the breadth knowledge search on eco-innovation. The analysis is based on a sample of 634 manufacturing firms in Canada. Eco-innovation literature has largely been developed and operationalized through symmetrical analyses. Such methods neces-sarily limit investigation of synergies between eco-innovation drivers. The study empirically analyses the data set using structural equation modelling (SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The SEM findings indicate that knowledge search breadth mediates the relationship between the R&D activities and eco-innovation. The fsQCA results confirm synergies among eco-innovation drivers. Overall, three pathways of eco-innovation drivers are sufficient conditions for explaining high eco-innovation performance.

Automated summary

This study investigates the impact of technology factors and breadth knowledge search on eco-innovation. The findings show that knowledge search breadth mediates the relationship between R&D activities and eco-innovation. Furthermore, synergies among eco-innovation drivers are confirmed.