Title: Cooperative research and development and sustainable development in aluminium industry

Authors: Yiping Bai, G.C. O'Brien

Addresses: Graduate School of Management, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia. ' Graduate School of Management, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia

Abstract: Effective use of resources, energy efficiency, health and safety in the workforce and green gas emissions are important considerations for sustainability of the aluminium industry. Technological advances help to improve productivity, reduce costs, save resources, lower air pollution and reduce injury risk in the workforce and thus determine sustainability of the industry. This paper argues that cooperative research and development brings technological advances and improves sustainable performance in the industry. An analysis of 224 respondents from 22 firms in the Chinese aluminium industry identifies a significant correlation between cooperative research and development and sustainability in the sector. These results have implications for government, industry and managers.

Keywords: cooperative R&D; sustainability; aluminium industry; factor analysis; correlation; China; sustainable development; research and development; collaborative R&D; collaboration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSM.2009.022834

International Journal of Sustainable Strategic Management, 2009 Vol.1 No.2, pp.220 - 239

Published online: 27 Jan 2009 *

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