Environmental Policy and Technological Innovation: Why Do Firms Adopt or Reject New Technologies? (New Horizons in the Economics of Innovation series) - Hardcover

Montalvo Corral, Carlos

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1840649577 ISBN 13: 9781840649574

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2002

Synopsis

For over 30 years environmental policy has developed under the assumption that self-interest explains firms’ environmental behavior and that the problem of pollution can be rectified by technological fixes. This policy paradigm has been proved wrong: entrenched antagonism between firms and regulators, and greater environmental harm, have proved to be the dominant outcomes. This book re-focuses environmental policy analysis by demonstrating how behavioral models can be applied within the field to better understand the propensity of the firm to engage in pro-environmental, innovative activities.

The book develops an essential tool for environmental policy analysis in the context of technical change. A rigorous theoretical and methodological framework is applied to identify sources of firms’ willingness (or resistance) to engage in cleaner production and to evaluate under which conditions the firm’s pro-environmental, innovative behavior may be fostered. The author undertakes extensive research through a case study of the In-Bond industry in Mexico and assesses the significance and relationship of individual factors relating to a firm’s innovative behavior towards ‘greener’ production. The model developed helps to understand the planned behavior of the firm in specific contexts, to shape and guide empirical inquiry, and to produce useful corporate and public policy recommendations.

Environmental Policy and Technological Innovation comprehensively explores the factors which can influence a firm’s behavioral approach towards developing clean technologies. Unlike many other studies on environmental policy, it addresses the origin of the problems and not just the symptoms. It will become an indispensable companion for local, national and international environmental regulators, environmental policymakers and analysts, and those interested in technological innovation and technology policy.

About this title

About the Author

Carlos Montalvo Corral, Senior Adviser, Institute of Strategy, Technology and Policy, TNO, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, Delft, The Netherlands

Review

`. . . this book can be recommended for those who want to explore fresh ground concerning the theoretical and empirical analysis of environmental innovations. Not only does it illustrate the frutility of a behavioral foundation for economic analysis, but it also shows the possibilities of empirically examining these determinants of behavior.' -- Frank Beckenbach, Journal of Evolutionary Economics `Inducing firms to adopt radical solutions for cleaner production is a key challenge for environmental and innovation policy. Adopting a behavioural approach, this book demonstrates rigorously that environmental standards are not enough; it is absolutely essential to communicate environmental risk to managers and reinforce capabilities within firms. Dealing with the "In-Bond" industry in the US-Mexico border zone, the conclusions here are relevant in any part of the world. I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in environmental policy for industry.' -- Jim Skea, Policy Studies Institute, London, UK

Edition details

• Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1840649577
• ISBN 13: 9781840649574
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 320