Unlocking innovation for net zero: constraints, enablers, and firm-level transition strategies
Author(s)
Pinkse, Jonatan
Demirel, Pelin
Marino, Alba
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Transition pathways for net zero encompass seemingly insurmountable innovation challenges for the scaling of less mature technological solutions such as hydrogen, materials substitution, and electrification as well as societal challenges to increase the market acceptability of these solutions. In this article, we present a conceptual framework which provides a firm-level perspective on net-zero innovation which has four unique characteristics, i.e. it is complex, systemic, urgent, and directional. The framework shows that the input, process, and output constraints that incumbent firms face in the net-zero transition can be tackled through four firm-level innovation levers – i.e. recombinative, collaborative, integrative, and socio-cognitive capabilities – which, in concert, act as enablers for firms to address these net-zero constraints. We conclude the article by outlining the framework’s main insights for firms’ innovation strategies for net zero and the policy implications. We also propose avenues for future research on net-zero innovation.
Date Issued
2024-01-03
Date Acceptance
2023-10-02
Citation
Industry and Innovation: dynamics, strategies, policies, 2024, 31 (1), pp.16-41
ISSN
1366-2716
Publisher
Taylor and Francis Group
Start Page
16
End Page
41
Journal / Book Title
Industry and Innovation: dynamics, strategies, policies
Volume
31
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any med-ium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
Identifier
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13662716.2023.2269112
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2023-10-26