Focal actors and ecoinnovation in production and distribution.pdf

Paper to be presented at the DRUID 2012 on June 19 to June 21 at CBS, Copenhagen, Denmark, Focal actors and eco?innovation in production and distribution systems Paul Dewick Manchester Business School paul.dewick@mbs.ac.uk Abstract We focus on the capacity of ?focal actors? to stimulate accelerated, multi-targeted eco-innovation in production and distribution systems (PDS). We explore the case of the UK milk PDS and the emerging ?focal? role of retailers to shape the direction and pace of change toward a more sustainable PDS. We show how the retailers are engaged in two demand-led mechanisms to stimulate incremental eco-innovation by ?triggering demand? (stimulating the development of eco-innovations within or beyond existing supply chains through procurement) and ?interactive supplier-buyer innovation? (collaborating with supplier organisations in the development and implementation of eco-innovations). We discuss how this role could be extended to ?re-build? the milk PDS around (currently) niche technologies, and highlight inherent path dependencies and other factors that inhibit such change. Jelcodes:O30,- Focal actors and eco–innovation in production and distribution systems Abstract We focus on the capacity of ‘focal actors’ to stimulate accelerated, multi-targeted eco-innovation in production and distribution systems (PDS). We explore the case of the UK milk PDS and the emerging ‘focal’ role of retailers to shape the directio