Determinants of eco-innovation in manufacturing SMEs: a literature review

Abstract

The integration of innovation and sustainability is a topic open to discussion in the literatura due to the need to reduce the negative impacts of companies on the environment. In this scenario, research on eco-innovation in the context of manufacturing SMEs is still limited to achieve a successful adoption. For this reason, the objective of this research is to analyze through a systematic literature review the determinants for manufacturing SMEs to implement
eco-innovations using a qualitative research design based on grounded theory to identify and categorize each of the determinants. The main results indicate that there are three types of external factors, internal factors, and control variables. External factors are based on external pressures from society, NGOs, government and stakeholders, and regulatory compliance. Internal factors are characterized by a strong strategic environmental orientation and organizational culture. Control variables by the successful pursuit of competitiveness and environmental awareness. This literature review can contribute to administrative and governmental entities to make decisions regarding environmental solutions that can be adopted by manufacturing SMEs.