Innovation activity in enterprises 2012–2014:
Reputation of high importance for innovation with environmental benefits
Statistical news from Statistics Sweden 2016-02-18 9.30
Among the innovation-active enterprises, 53 percent introduced an innovation with environmental benefits. Improving the enterprise’s reputation was the most important factor when deciding to introduce an innovation with environmental benefits. These are the findings from the latest Community Innovation Survey (CIS).
The latest CIS included some questions about innovations with environmental benefits. Enterprises were asked about the environmental benefits that were created due to innovations introduced by the enterprise. The environmental benefits of an innovation can occur during the production of goods or services, or during consumption by the end user of a product.
Innovations with environmental benefits were more common in the manufacturing sector than in the service sector. The NACE activity with the highest share of enterprises introducing innovation with environmental benefits were water collection, treatment and supply (NACE 36) and sewerage, waste collection, remediation activities and other waste management services (NACE 37–39). Among these enterprises, 80 percent of the innovation-active enterprises had introduced an innovation with environmental benefits.
The least active in environmental innovation were financial services and insurance activities (NACE 66), legal and accounting activities and activities of head offices (NACE 69–70) and information service activities (NACE 63). Among these enterprises 23, 23 and 22 percent respectively had introduced an innovation with environmental benefits. It is possible that there is not a great need for innovations with environmental benefits among these enterprises if they from the beginning have a minor environmental impact.
| Innovation with environmental benefit | ||
|---|---|---|
| All surveyed industries |
Totalt | 53 |
| 10-49 employees | 51 | |
| 50-249 employees | 56 | |
| 250 employees or more | 70 | |
| Enterprises in the manufacturing sector |
Totalt | 64 |
| 10-49 employees | 61 | |
| 50-249 employees | 69 | |
| 250 employees or more | 84 | |
| Enterprises in the service sector |
Totalt | 46 |
| 10-49 employees | 45 | |
| 50-249 employees | 48 | |
| 250 employees or more | 60 |
The environmental benefits can be the primary objective of the innovation or a by-product of other objectives. The environmental benefits of an innovation can occur during the production of a good or service, or during its consumption or use by the end user of a product.
The most common environmental benefit obtained within the enterprise was reduced energy use or CO2 ‘footprint’. Among small enterprises in the manufacturing sector, the most common benefit was recycled waste, water, or materials for own use or sale.
The most common environmental benefit obtained during the consumption or use of a good or service by the end user was reduced energy use or CO2 ‘footprint’. This applies for all size-classes in both the manufacturing and service sector.
Enterprises were also asked about the factors that were important in driving the decision to introduce innovations with environmental benefits. Improving the enterprise’s reputation was the most important factor. 30 percent of the enterprises answered that this was of high importance. However, the factors that are the most important varied among size-classes.
For small enterprises the enterprise’s reputation was the most important. But for medium-sized enterprises, the enterprise’s reputation and existing environmental regulations were equally important. Among large enterprises, most enterprises answered that the current or expected market demand for environmental innovations was of high importance, closely followed by existing environmental regulations. Only 5 percent of the enterprises answered that government grants, subsidies or other financial incentives for environmental innovations were of high importance when deciding to introduce innovations with environmental benefits.
Definitions and explanations
Enterprises carrying out innovation activities include:
- Enterprises that have introduced a new product and/or process innovations during the period 2012–2014
- Enterprises that have introduced organisational innovations during the period 2012–2014
- Enterprises that have introduced marketing innovations during the period 2012–2014
- Enterprises that during the period 2012–2014 have abandoned or suspended the development of new products or processes before completion
- Enterprises that at the end of 2014 had ongoing development activities of new products or processes that are not yet finished
Innovation with environmental benefits:
An innovation with environmental benefits is a new or significantly improved product (good or service), process, organisational method or marketing method that creates environmental benefits compared to alternatives.
The environmental benefits can be the primary objective of the innovation or a by-product of other objectives.
The environmental benefits of an innovation can occur during the production of a good or service, or during its consumption or use by the end user of a product. The end user can be an individual, another enterprise, the government, etc.
Publication
Statistical Database
More information is available in the Statistical Database
Feel free to use the facts from this statistical news but remember to state Source: Statistics Sweden.