Understanding Green Innovation: A Conceptual Framework

Abstract

In recent years, the growing emergence of environmental problems has meant that sustainability and related concepts such as green innovation have acquired special importance. This has resulted in a significant body of literature addressing these concepts. To help to integrate this extensive literature and establish a theoretical framework, this study summarizes the main principles and roots of green innovation. To this end, this study first makes a generic theoretical approach to the concept of innovation. Then, due to its direct link with green innovation, emphasis is placed on the importance of the value of sustainability in companies. After that, the meaning and current relevance of green innovation in today’s business environment is addressed. Finally, the main precepts and fundamentals of green innovation are established, and a series of academic proposals are made to further advance the study of this concept. This theoretical review may serve as encouragement to further research the concept of green innovation and contribute to providing a clarifying and comprehensive view of this topic.