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Scientific Article details

Title Scaling sustainable technologies by creating innovation demand-pull: Strategic actions by food producers
ID_Doc 18630
Authors Bor, S; O'Shea, G; Hakala, H
Title Scaling sustainable technologies by creating innovation demand-pull: Strategic actions by food producers
Year 2024
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122941
Abstract This research identifies the strategic actions that food companies take to foster sustainability transition by inviting innovations from the packaging industry. While much research has been devoted to the role of policy in creating the need for more sustainable products and services, little is known about the role of incumbent companies in scaling innovations that advance sustainability transitions. This study draws on data collected from food producers, food packaging producers, and food packaging material producers to investigate the role of food companies in scaling sustainable technologies by creating a demand-pull for packaging innovation. We illustrate five actions undertaken by food industry firms that help to scale up the technological innovations in food packaging. These are labeled (1) Signposting, (2) Demanding, (3) Incubating, (4) Orchestrating, and (5) Integrating. Our findings indicate that incumbent firms might not just work solely to protect their competitive positions but can also play a central role in scaling sustainable technologies by producing a demand-pull for innovation. The study also provides insights into how policy pressure on one socio-technical system (food production) creates pressure on another connected socio-technical system (packaging) to scale sustainable technologies through the supply chain.
Author Keywords Scaling; Sustainability transition; Food packaging; Strategic action; Innovation demand-pull; Cross-system interaction
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)
EID WOS:001101679300001
WoS Category Business; Regional & Urban Planning
Research Area Business & Economics; Public Administration
PDF https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122941
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