Title: Eco-innovations in Europe – state and development prospects

Authors: Jadwiga Ziolkowska, Bozydar Ziolkowski

Addresses: Chair for Agricultural Policy, Institute of Agricultural Economics and Social Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 12A, 10099 Berlin, Germany. ' Department of Enterprise, Management and Ecoinnovation, Rzeszow University of Technology, Al. Powstancow Warszawy 8, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland

Abstract: Little research has been done on the subject of eco-innovations in the European countries till date. The reason is the missing information about this term and little practical experience in the production or in the service sectors. This paper presents the main streams in the development process of eco-innovations in the European Union (EU) countries and the practical importance of environment-friendly innovations for enterprises and societies. The analyses of available data prove a growing importance of eco-innovations in the competition process between enterprises on markets and the improving development possibilities for this sector in the future. This optimistic vision is also striven by the European Community which supports eco-innovative solutions through different European Funds. Thus the development of eco-innovations creates a new practical research field.

Keywords: eco-innovations; innovation; environmental protection; European policy; Europe; competitiveness; enterprises; European Union; ecological innovations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMP.2008.016045

International Journal of Management Practice, 2008 Vol.3 No.1, pp.20 - 30

Published online: 03 Dec 2007 *

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