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Doing More with Less: Building Dynamic Capabilities for Eco‐Efficiency
Author(s) -
Kabongo Jean D.,
Boiral Olivier
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
business strategy and the environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.123
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1099-0836
pISSN - 0964-4733
DOI - 10.1002/bse.1958
Subject(s) - operationalization , dynamic capabilities , organizational ecology , industrial ecology , extant taxon , variety (cybernetics) , process (computing) , knowledge management , consolidation (business) , resource (disambiguation) , business , process management , ecology , industrial organization , environmental resource management , computer science , sustainability , economics , management , computer network , philosophy , accounting , epistemology , evolutionary biology , artificial intelligence , biology , operating system
Abstract This article sheds light on the manner in which managers perceive, develop and integrate dynamic capabilities for eco‐efficient activities inherent to industrial ecology. The research employs a case study of 12 Canadian facilities involved in the processing of a wide variety of waste materials. Findings from the experiences of 60 managers interviewed reveal that capabilities for industrial ecology largely depend upon the integration and coordination of competencies, innovations and new routines related to several functional areas: innovation and technological development; control of residual material flows; adjustments in human resources; management of environmental constraints; and networking and marketing. These dynamic capabilities are developed and integrated through a four‐stage process: local experimentation, internal operationalization, enlargement/cross‐functional integration and strategic consolidation. The paper contributes to the extant literature related to dynamic capabilities and the natural resource‐based view by offering an understanding of those factors necessary for the success of industrial ecology, and also by demonstrating the functional and dynamic nature of such factors. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment