Developing eco-innovation in business practice in Slovakia

Abstract

The paper presents the analyses and evaluates the current state of implementation of eco-innovation in the most energy-intensive sectors in Slovakia and also compares the eco-innovation performance of EU countries. Furthermore, it identifies the economic and environmental benefits from which businesses can profit following the introduction of this type of eco-innovation; it confirms the relationship between investments in environmental technologies and increasing sales of ecological products and services and identifies opportunities for development of eco-innovations in Slovakia. The industrial sectors in Slovakia have the potential to utilise eco-innovation throughout the structure of their economic activities, to develop new technologies and knowledge as well as in creating and developing partnerships, networks and mutual cooperation for the development of eco-innovation on the proviso that appropriate supporting eco-innovation policies and stimulus measures are in place. An analysis of the current state of eco-innovations in the selected enterprises was carried out on the basis of original empirical research which is based on a questionnaire survey on enterprises in the Slovak Republic.

Keywords:

• eco-innovation
• eco-innovation performance
• economic benefits
• enterprise
• environmental responsibility
• eco-innovation efficiency

JEL Classification:

• M21
• O31
• O32

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jana Hroncová Vicianová

Jana HRONCOVÁ VİCİANOVÁ. PhD works in the Faculty of Economics of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica on Department of Corporate Economics and Management. She teaches the subjects as Corporate Economics, Corporate Finance and other. Her area of researchers is Corporate Social Responsibility, Environmental Responsibility of SMEs and Eco-Innovation.

Jana Jaďuďová

Jana JAĎUĎOVÁ. PhD works in the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Matej Bel University. Her area of researchers is Corporate Social Responsibility, Environmental Responsibility and Environmental Management.

Martin Hronec

Martin HRONEC. PhD works in the Faculty of Economics of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica on Department of Economics. He teaches the subjects as Macroeconomics, Economics of Education and other. His area of research is Socio-Economic Context of Education and the Labor Market, Human Capital and Unpaid Work.

Silvia Rolíková

Silvia ROLÍKOVÁ obtained Ing. on the field of study Business Economics and Management in the Faculty of Economics of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica.