The development and market success of eco-innovations A comparative study of eco-innovations and other innovations in Sweden

Purpose - The study, which compares the success factors for eco-innovations with those factors for other innovations, is intended to improve understanding of how eco-innovations achieve market success. Design/methodology/approach - A case study design is used. Six eco-innovations cases and six other innovations cases are compared. Data were obtained mainly from interviews with the eco-innovators and the other innovators, written materials about the innovations, and secondary data from an earlier quantitative study. Findings - The study shows that there are both similarities and differences in the success factors for the two types of innovations. One similarity is that a network with diverse competences supports successful innovators. However, for eco-innovators the network is used more for solving technological problems. Other innovators use the network to a greater extent for assistance with financing and marketing. In addition, eco-innovators have greater difficulty than other innovators in attracting venture capital for development. Research limitations/implications - The results indicate that an interesting approach for future research would be to take a life-cycle perspective that identifies the factors that influence the further growth and development of eco-innovative firms. Practical implications - The identification of the success factors for eco-innovations' development may improve their chances of success. Furthermore, the results can help policy-makers improve the support system for commercialization of eco-innovations. Originality/value - As a comparative study of success factors for eco-innovations and other innovations, the study presents a new way to identify such factors for eco-innovators.