Innovative sustainable practices: Are they commercially viable?
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20425961201000002 |
| Published date | 01 March 2011 |
| Date | 01 March 2011 |
| Pages | 19-28 |
| Author | Siham El‐Kafafi,Stephen Liddle |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management |
World Journal of Enterprenuership, Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 6, Nos. 1/2, 2010
19
Copyright © 2010 WASD
Abstract: It is argued that as the planets conventional natural resources are
consumed, it has a profound effect on society and the environment. In order to
maintain current levels of lifestyle, help solve some of the developing nation’s
problems and ultimately survive, the world will look more to technology and science
for the answers and this will call for partnerships that deliver new approaches and
science-based innovations (Teresko, 2006). This research is a part of a bigger study
investigating the determinants of innovation in the New Zealand biotechnology
sector. This paper discusses business innovation in general and how it could
contribute to sustainable development across several key areas like agriculture,
biotechnology, consumer products, energy and life sciences. To provide a link
between business innovation and sustainability, the research paper explores trends
across the following concepts: social expectations of innovation in the biotechnology
field, innovations versus sustainability, sustainable agricultural biotechnology, and
sustainable industry practices in the biotechnology field. Finally the paper provides
some tentative ideas of the conditions required for business innovation to make a
constructive contribution to sustainability.
Keywords: business innovation, agricultural biotechnology, and sustainable
development.
Siham El-Kafafi 1, Manukau Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
Stephen Liddle2, Southern Cross University, Australia
INNOVATIVE SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES:
ARE THEY COMMERCIALLY VIABLE?
INTRODUCTION
We are living in an era of rapid technological
changes where innovation has increased
exponentially. Accordingly companies
with cutting edge research are facing lots
of challenges in creating new and creative
products to enable a sustainable human
existence and to ensure their acceptance
by the society especially when we hear of
reports like Tomorrow’s Market signalling
that the current trends are leading to an
unsustainable human society.
Sustainability has been in the for-front
of businesses’ consideration for the past
15 years. Research indicates that most
eco-efficient companies are also the most
successful using such measures as the
Dow Jones Sustainable index. A guiding
principle for world economic development
is “Sustainability defines how countries can
1Senior Lecturer, Manukau Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand, Email: siham.elkafafi@manukau.ac.nz
2DBA Candidate, Southern Cross University, Australia, Email: stephen.liddle@paradise.net.nz
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