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Product Innovation and Sustainability

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2019) | Viewed by 49883

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Antonello Cammarano

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Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
Interests: innovation; technological strategies; knowledge management; new product development; start-ups; open innovation; patent data
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Dr. Francesca Michelino

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Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
Interests: innovation management; technology management; open innovation; technological strategies; patent data; supply chain management
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Prof. Dr. Mauro Caputo

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Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
Interests: innovation management; supply chain management; operations management; open innovation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to collect theoretical and empirical studies that contribute to developing a better understanding of the relationship between product innovation and business sustainability.

Indeed, product innovation can be theoretically achieved within a continuum of practices, ranging from the exclusive involvement of internal resources to the engagement of only external ones. Adoptable practices are collocated within these extremes, and we want to try to answer the challenge of analyzing their different degree of sustainability in terms of innovative outcome. A sustainable model employs a balanced set of knowledge and technological resources both internal and external.

Hence, the aim of the call is to understand how firms access external resources in terms of:

Human resources;
Intellectual property;
Subsystems, parts and components;
Companies and business units.

Indeed, all such resources are involved to achieve sustainable innovation. For instance, job market allows firms to hire skilled people and incorporate their knowledge, competencies and know-how. Intellectual property can be exchanged in markets for technologies, e.g. to acquire a patent or buy a license, and accelerate the process of acquisition of technologies and knowledge that supports the R&D effort necessary to achieve product innovation, hence improving the economic and business sustainability of innovation activities. Additionally, by acquiring subsystems, parts and components, firms incorporate technologies and innovations deriving from R&D efforts of their suppliers and partners into their products, with expected improving innovation performance and positive effects on firm’s competitive advantage. Further, by investing on business combinations and mergers and acquisitions, companies will combine, reinforce and optimize their knowledge and technological resources, improving sustainability.

Therefore, researchers are encouraged to submit papers that contribute to the literature by proposing new theories and practical issues related to sustainable product innovation. In particular, the Special Issue focuses on economic and business implications of sustainable product development. Some example topics are, among others:

Modes of acquisition or sharing of resources and their integration within the product development after a sustainable perspective;
Cases of success or failure of product innovation activities aiming at enhancing economic sustainability;
Sustainability and product innovation in R&D intense industries;
Product development modularization and economic sustainability;
Sustainable development practices in different stages of technology/product life cycle;
Cooperation and collaboration for sustainable product development;
Role of partners and suppliers in sustainable supply chain;
Relying on job market to enhance organizational sustainability;
Reorganizing knowledge and technological resources after mergers and acquisitions to achieve sustainable and superior product innovation;
Organizational sustainability of innovation processes.

Dr. Antonello Cammarano
Prof. Francesca Michelino
Prof. Mauro Caputo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Product innovation
Sustainability
Business sustainability
Innovation sustainability
Organizational sustainability
Sustainable development
Knowledge resources
Technological resources
Innovation practices
Open innovation
External resources
New product development

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 6678 KiB

Open AccessArticle

SDGs and Innovation in the Business Context Literature Review

by Maria Federica Cordova and Andrea Celone

Sustainability 2019, 11(24), 7043; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11247043 - 09 Dec 2019

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 10284

Abstract

On 25 October 2015 the United Nations approved The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). It is an important event from different points of view: clear judgment was expressed on the unsustainability of current development models, not only on the environmental level, but also on the economic and social ones. The implementation of the agenda requires a strong involvement of all members of society, especially business. The article aims to provide a literature overview on the relationships between innovation and sustainable development objectives in the industrial context. SDGs are also analyzed in terms of stakeholders involved, reactions of companies and citizens and metrics recently proposed by researchers of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC). These preliminary results show that different stakeholders approach the SDGs differently, but also that the interest of companies toward SDGs is growing, confirming the considerations that emerged in literature. Furthermore, some SDGs appear to be more a prerequisite for achieving targets, than actual goals, while innovation has proven to be a driver for most SDGs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Innovation and Sustainability)

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19 pages, 381 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Features of R&D Teams and Innovation Performances of Sustainable Firms: Evidence from the “Sustainability Pioneers” in the IT Hardware Industry

by Federica Bianco and Marica Venezia

Sustainability 2019, 11(17), 4524; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11174524 - 21 Aug 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3449

Abstract

The aim of this work is to characterize the R&D teams of sustainable companies and analyze how they perform in terms of patent quality. The study is based on 13,355 patents filed by leading companies in the IT hardware industry. Team of inventors are characterized in terms of size, mobility, experience and openness. Sustainability is measured in terms of its environmental dimension. Patent quality is defined using ex ante and post hoc indicators. Innovation and financial performances, together with some contextual features, are also considered. One-way ANOVA is performed using “sustainability” as a discriminating factor to analyze whether significant differences are found between sustainable and not sustainable companies. Correlations between team features and patent quality are calculated. Results show that the R&D teams of sustainable companies feature a higher degree of mobility but less experience than those of non-sustainable firms; moreover, a less receptive attitude toward open innovation is observed. Even if, on average, sustainable companies develop less patents, the quality is higher regarding most attributes: scope, architectural capability, scientific and technological value; moreover, superior financial performances are achieved. The features that have a more significant impact on patent quality are the size of the R&D team and the presence of inventors who have published on Scopus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Innovation and Sustainability)

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15 pages, 609 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Linkage between Sustainability and Innovation Performance in IT Hardware Sector

by Francesca Michelino, Antonello Cammarano, Andrea Celone and Mauro Caputo

Sustainability 2019, 11(16), 4275; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11164275 - 07 Aug 2019

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 4045

Abstract

This work investigates the relationship between sustainability and innovation performance. Despite the relevance of the issue, few contributions deepen such a relationship after both a conceptual and a quantitative perspective. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to suggest a measure of sustainability for innovation processes and to define which innovation strategies can lead to more sustainable processes. The role of ambidexterity within the corporate sustainability framework is underlined: Ambidextrous organizations are able to improve the innovation performance and better use their resources, improving the sustainability of research and development (R&D) processes. By employing patent data and testing the framework on a sample of worldwide top R&D spending companies in the IT hardware industry, this work suggests which optimal value of ambidexterity will lead to more sustainable innovation. In addition, R&D processes with non-optimal levels of ambidexterity can be managed in a better way. Indeed, results show the usefulness of open innovation adoption to improve the performance of exploration processes. Moreover, R&D activities based on a preponderance of exploitation strategies are more sustainable if they fall into technological domains in which the focal company is highly specialized. The work also contributes to the conceptualization of sustainability and to definition of patent-based metrics related to sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Innovation and Sustainability)

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15 pages, 2828 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Evaluation of Deep-Lane Autonomous Vehicle Storage and Retrieval System

by Emanuele Guerrazzi, Valeria Mininno, Davide Aloini, Riccardo Dulmin, Claudio Scarpelli and Marco Sabatini

Sustainability 2019, 11(14), 3817; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11143817 - 12 Jul 2019

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2855

Abstract

With the rise of a consciousness in warehousing sustainability, an increasing number of autonomous vehicle storage and retrieval systems (AVS/RS) is diffusing among automated warehouses. Moreover, manufacturers are offering the option of equipping machines with energy recovery systems. This study analyzed a deep-lane AVS/RS provided with an energy recovery system in order to make an energy evaluation for such a system. A simulator able to emulate the operation of the warehouse has been developed, including a travel-time and an energy model to consider the real operating characteristics of lifts, shuttles and satellites. Referring to a single command cycle with a basic storing and picking algorithm for multiple-depth channels, energy balance and recovery measurements have been presented and compared to those of a traditional crane-based system. Results show significant savings in energy consumption with the use of a deep-lane AVS/RS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Innovation and Sustainability)

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14 pages, 325 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monetary and Social Rewards for Crowdsourcing

by Francesco Cappa, Federica Rosso and Darren Hayes

Sustainability 2019, 11(10), 2834; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11102834 - 17 May 2019

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 6133

Abstract

Crowdsourcing of inventive activities is a particular form of crowdsourcing that helps firms to innovate by involving dispersed individuals to exploit “crowd wisdom”. In this context, the greater the number of contributions, the greater the possibility to gather extremely valuable ideas to produce innovative products and services. While monetary and social rewards can be an effective means to boost contributors’ extrinsic and intrinsic motivations to contribute, a theoretical understanding and empirical evidence of their effects are lacking. This paper focused on the crowdsourcing of inventive activities, initiated by listed companies worldwide, from 2007 to 2014. Our findings shed light on the influence of monetary and social rewards on the number of ideas collected. In particular, we analyzed the impact on the number of contributions brought about by monetary rewards and noted a positive influence related to its presence and also a negative effect related to the amount of the compensation. Moreover, we have demonstrated how the presence of a social cause is beneficial to the number of contributions. Consequently, we contribute to a scholarly understanding of the crowdsourcing phenomenon and we have provided guidance to managers seeking to initiate crowdsourcing campaigns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Innovation and Sustainability)

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21 pages, 1237 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Discovery of Multiple Levels of Open Innovation in Understanding the Economic Sustainability. A Case Study in the Manufacturing Industry

by Alireza Javanmardi Kashan, Kavoos Mohannak, Mirko Perano and Gian Luca Casali

Sustainability 2018, 10(12), 4652; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10124652 - 06 Dec 2018

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3189

Abstract

The aim of this paper is twofold: firstly, investigate the theory of governance and open innovation by adding the process of value creation and value capture; secondly, to discuss the potential link between open innovation and economic sustainability. With the current emphasis of the literature being on either the value creation or value capture processes, the phenomenon of open innovation is only partially understood. To help broaden this understanding, we conducted an in-depth case study of the processes behind the transformation of governance structures at Iran Khodro Company (IKCO), which led to the emergence of both value creation and capture processes. A multi project analysis (from 1994 to 2012) has point out that IKCO have created and developed a formal value creation and capture processes from the part level through to the architectural level, allowing a gradual openness at those levels and at the same time ensuring a greater economic sustainability of the IKCO business. These findings reveal the existence of four unique levels of open innovation in product development architecture. Practical implications are also provided relating the impact that each of these levels can have on the economic sustainable model of the firms in the manufacturing sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Innovation and Sustainability)

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16 pages, 1192 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Decisions on Product Upgrade Confrontations with Remanufacturing Operations

by Lin Sun, Lingjiang Zhang and Youwei Li

Sustainability 2018, 10(11), 4090; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10114090 - 07 Nov 2018

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3099

Abstract

In recent decades, remanufacturing is perceived to be an environmentally friendly option due to the reduced consumption of materials, energy etc. It should be noted that whether the remanufacturing operations are undertaken by the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or outsourced to the remanufacturers, given the size and the growth of remanufactured products, many OEMs intend to fend off the potential cannibalization of new products sales through differentiating their quality levels from those of remanufactured ones by launching upgraded versions. To understand whether and how the product upgrading strategy impacts on optimal outcomes in the context of the remanufacturing operations undertaken by OEMs or third-party remanufacturers (TPRs), in this paper, we develop two models that highlight the OEM’s product upgrading strategy under the scenarios where (1) the OEM owns its remanufacturing operations in-house (Model O) or (2) remanufacturing operations are undertaken by a TPR (Model T). Among other results, we find that, from an economic performance perspective, it is more beneficial for the OEM to perform remanufacturing operations in-house; however, from an environmental sustainability perspective, such behavior is not always good for our environment. In particular, when the level of product upgrading is pronounced, the remanufacturing operations undertaken by the OEM are always detrimental to our environment, due to indulging in remanufacturing, as seen in Model O. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Innovation and Sustainability)

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25 pages, 277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Innovation Resilience: A New Approach for Managing Uncertainties Concerned with Sustainable Innovation

by Wen-Dong Lv, Dan Tian, Yuan Wei and Rui-Xue Xi

Sustainability 2018, 10(10), 3641; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10103641 - 11 Oct 2018

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 10249

Abstract

Sustainable innovation is more complex than conventional, market-driven innovation, because companies have to consider a wide range of uncertainties concerned with the environment, society, and economics. This literature review shows that resilience is the prevailing way of thinking in the area of sustainability studies, and the main contribution of resilience to sustainability is how to deal with uncertainties. However, there seems to be a scarcity in the current literature on the conceptualization of resilience in the context of innovation. From the duality view, this paper proposes a new concept of innovation resilience based on two dimensions, stability and adaptability, which contribute to maintaining a high level of innovation efficiency, while at the same time adapting to change. The proposed innovation resilience concept attempts to provide an integration of divergent research streams—innovation management, organizational resilience, and sustainability management theory. We develop a conceptual framework that consists of a set of indicators involving the two dimensions by using multiple case studies, upon which future empirical studies can be based. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Innovation and Sustainability)

17 pages, 870 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Innovative Technology Exploration on Firm Value Sustainability: The Case of Part Supplier Management

by Insung Son, Jinsu Kim, Gwijeong Park and Sihyun Kim

Sustainability 2018, 10(10), 3632; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10103632 - 11 Oct 2018

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5924

Abstract

With rapid changes driven by technical advances, innovative technology capacity is a strategic asset unique to a company allocating various tangible and intangible resources, and it promotes technological innovation. This study analyzed the technology applied to iPhone series by Apple from 2007 to 2017 and measured the information effect of innovative technology exploration on the firm value for managing global supply chain (USA, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Europe). Adopting the pooled OLS (Ordinary least square) and panel analysis, this study revealed that exploration technology exploring new technologies shows a positive market response in the information effect of sustaining innovation. Results identified that exploitation and exploration can give different results depending on a construct (exploration and exploitation technologies) or congruence (combination and balance). In addition, the results indicate the importance of the balance between exploitation and exploration technologies and rational part supplies management in Apple’s new product development strategy. Analyzing the impact of innovative technology exploration on the firm value for global supply chain management, this study suggests significant implications for strategic decision making for the company to build continuous innovation path through technology search and to secure sustainability of organizations facing rapid changes in technical advances. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Innovation and Sustainability)

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