Title: Intellectual property and environmental innovation: an explanation using the institutional and resource-based theories

Authors: I.E. Nikolaou, K.I. Evangelinos, W. Leal Filho

Addresses: Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Vas Sofias 12, Xanthi 67100, Greece. ' Department of Environment, University of the Aegean, University Hill, Lesvos 81-100, Greece. ' Faculty of Life Sciences, Research and Transfer Centre ''Applications of Life Sciences'', Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Lohbruegger Kirchstraße 65, Hamburg 21033, Germany

Abstract: Various studies have examined the relationship between intellectual property, Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) and innovation. Some of these studies have focused on identifying internal factors that provide competitive advantages to firms, which adopt EMS, while others examine external factors that promote environmental innovation to firms. This paper proposes a framework that encompasses internal and external factors to identify how EMS promotes innovation to firms, at the same time bearing the need to protect intellectual property. This framework is based on the institutional and resource-based theories and explains how firms may gain competitive advantage and enhance innovation from EMS implementation.

Keywords: EMS; environmental management systems; corporate sustainability; competitive advantage; intellectual property; environmental innovation; IP protection; IPR; institutional theory; resource-based view RBV.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFIP.2010.037472

International Journal of Foresight and Innovation Policy, 2010 Vol.6 No.4, pp.268 - 281

Published online: 14 Dec 2010 *

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