• Energy Research

Given the global relevance of business groups (BG) and networks as efficient organizational forms for corporate sustainability and responsibility systems (CSR), and seeing that management control systems (MCS) play a pivotal role in transmitting authority to CSR and formalizing a sustainability organizational culture, this paper aims to review the available literature in order to investigate efficient adoptions of CSR by BGs or networks. Both organizational forms have positive effects on CSR development, on three levels: (a) setting industry standards (macro—external environment); (b) stimulating sustainability-oriented innovations (mezzo—member firms); (c) reputational gains, CSR expenses mitigation, and optimization of organizational capabilities (micro—individual SMEs). The studies on SMEs were useful in identifying current sustainability practices: both partial (social, environmental) and complete sustainability systems were susceptible to being integrated with management accounting, making them an almost implicit tool for proper CSR. Finally, by gathering the empirical literature on sustainability transitions of networks and groups, it was possible to trace a comprehensive introductory plan that operators could resort to for initial guidance. The six steps of this process are (1) project initiation, (2) preliminary actions, (3) change management decision, (4) firm-level activities, (5) auditing, (6) transition to territorial social responsibility (optional).

Abstract This paper addresses three questions: how have trade and investment in wind and solar sectors evolved between the EU and China in recent years? Is there a link between rising trade conflicts and trade and investment trends? And what wider motivations and synergies can be identified in Chinese investments in the EU's RE sector? To address these questions we analyze trade and investment data, as well as qualitative data, including information from media and company reports. Large increases in trade and investment were followed by rapid falls since 2012–13. Trade tensions have not led to increases in investment, rather the inverse. We find that Chinese investment in these two sectors is very concentrated in Germany. The key motivation for investment is market seeking, although R+D is also important, especially for wind. Most investments are greenfield, a preference that has persisted over time. Our qualitative analysis of several key acquisitions indicates that technology integration and the consolidation of capacities across the supply chain were key motivations in most of the cases studied. We conclude with some policy orientations.

Countries are different on various dimensions such as culture, language, business practices, policy-making, and regulation. Research shows that distances on these dimensions between countries impact foreign direct investments (FDIs) flows. The higher the distances, the higher the difficulties for businesses. In this chapter, we analyze the perception of distances between China and Germany, by surveying Chinese managers who invested in Germany in the renewable energy (RE) sector. Our analysis refers to Child et al.’s measure of psychic distance (PD), which consists of 12 dimensions. The RE sector is young and highly dynamic. Regulations, policy-making, and business practices—all dimensions of the PD concept—are under permanent change, and this may lead to wrong perceptions, therefore to failures in FDI decisions. We use a five-company multiple case study and analyze if managers perceive distances on various dimensions, in particular regulation based, and if Chinese managers have correct perceptions or “misperceptions.” Further, we investigate if their perceptions change over time. Findings lead to recommendations for policy-making in the RE sector, for practitioners in the field of FDI to cope with issues of distances, and for international business (IB) scholars by showing that psychic distance should be complemented by a dynamic dimension.

Ongoing global climate change, growing population and the intensification of economic activities, increase pressure on water resources, a situation many see as a water governance crisis. Water-related issues are becoming a limiting factor for sustainable economic growth and require a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach, to foster innovative solutions. This paper provides an evidence-based contribution to understanding Triple Helix Model (THM) relations and the path to innovation policy in the water sector. The analysis focuses on the interaction between university–industry–government, with specific reference to the Murcia region in Southeast Spain. This region combines a chronic shortage of water and a leading role for agriculture. Starting from the experience of a researcher, working for the General Water Council of the Murcia Region, this paper is based on both desk research and in-depth personal interviews with representatives of THM actors. In addition, a questionnaire was forwarded to all those companies in charge of providing water services in the Murcia region. The study has found that stakeholders are not fully cooperative in seeking innovation. The main challenges are the renewal of water-related facilities and the improvement of remote control systems, denitrification and desalination technologies and achieving better energy efficiency. To this aim, THM approach is suggested as a source of local innovation policies, identifying a series of tools to foster a collaborative approach.

This special session of IJAE presents some key research outputs from the EU funded Marie Curie research network Poreen (Partnering Opportunities between Europe and China in the renewable energy and...

Abstract In the renewable energy (RE) sectors, foreign direct investments are becoming an important mean of regional integration between China and Europe, as a result of the combined effect of Europe–China dialog on energy issues; Chinese energy policy; and Chinese Go Global policy. Using a firm level data set from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, we perform an analysis on location choice by Chinese RE firms from 2004 to 2013, within Europe. We depict a map of “where to where” (home province vs. host country) and “who to where” (firm level characteristics vs. host country), to find out how characteristics of home and host regions affecting the integration of Chinese and European RE markets. Main results are the following. Investment pairs in RE sectors reflect a duality: firms tend to seek countries with similar institutional environment, compared with their origin regions. Countries with weak and immature institutions are attractive for immature and inexperienced Chinese firms. Main features of Chinese investors are the following: private, non-listed firms, entering through greenfield, focusing on sales. Market-seeking investors tend to enter countries with both well-developed institutional environment and industry development base. R&D-oriented investments are more likely to flow to countries with well-developed institutional environment.

Abstract This exploratory study, investigating the role of Living Labs (LLs) in promoting innovation and sustainability, has two main goals. Firstly, it seeks to understand how stakeholders and users, in a Quadruple Helix Model, can participate in LL activities and support the process of achieving a more sustainable society. Secondly, it guides the setting up of LLs with the aim of directly contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Research, based on a multiple case study, has shown that LLs are able to actively engage users, including firms and business systems, in promoting co-creation of value so as to benefit the economy, society and the environment. We have selected some good practices and derived some policy implications that could inspire LLs to promote innovation and encourage transition towards sustainable development at the local level, within the context of a QHM model.