Title: Sustainable innovation in supplier networks: an empirical study with South African steel and engineering sector

Authors: Surajit Bag

Addresses: Tega Industries South Africa Pty Ltd., 2 Uranium Road, Vulcania Ext 2, Brakpan, 1541, South Africa

Abstract: The purpose of the current study is to identify the factors influencing sustainable innovation in supplier networks. Firstly, literature review was conducted to identify the leading dimensions and further exploratory factor analysis was applied to reduce the dimensions to 14 factors. The EFA output was used as an input in the regression analysis and the functional relationship was tested. As a result of data analysis, the key aspects of sustainable innovation in supplier networks are identified and further discussed. The linear multiple regression analysis output shows that only two factors, i.e., effectiveness of new product development team and leadership skills are strong determinants of sustainable innovation in supplier networks and found to be statistically significant. South African steel and engineering sector need to focus strictly on effectiveness of new product development team and leadership skills. The study is unique in terms of identifying the critical factors influencing sustainable innovation in supplier networks and further broadens the knowledge base.

Keywords: sustainable innovation; supplier networks; leadership skills; effectiveness of new product development team; exploratory factor analysis; regression analysis; South Africa.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIR.2018.092621

International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 2018 Vol.16 No.3, pp.342 - 371

Received: 26 Dec 2016
Accepted: 18 Feb 2017

Published online: 26 Jun 2018 *

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