Government and Environmental Innovation in Europe and North America

Datos Bibliográficos

ID7571065
AutoresNicholas A Ash́ford (0000-0003-3572-268X, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, autor de correspondencia)
Año2002
Volumen45
Número9
Páginas1417-1434
Fecha de publicación2002-05-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAmerican Behavioral Scientist (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0002-7642 • E-ISSN: 1552-3381
EditorialSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0002764202045009007
OpenAlexW4241722896
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas21
Referencias citadas30

This article challenges certain tenets of the theories of reflexive law and ecological modernization. Although farsighted prevention-oriented and structural changes are needed, some proponents of these theories argue that the very industries and firms that create environmental problems can through continuous institutional learning, the application of life-cycle analysis, dialogue and networks with stakeholders, and implementation of “environmental management systems” be transformed into sustainable industries and firms. Although useful, these reforms are insufficient. It is not marginal or incremental changes that are needed for sustainability but rather major product, process, and system transformations—often beyond the capacity of the dominant industries and firms. This article also questions the alleged failure of regulation to stimulate needed technological changes and identifies the conditions under which innovation for sustainability can occur. Finally, it discusses differences in needed policies for industrialized and developing countries

Business · Ecological modernization · Economic growth · Economic system · Economics · Government (linguistics) · Industrial organization · Modernization theory · Process (computing) · Product (mathematics) · Reflexivity · Sociology · Sustainability · Ecology · Environmental Conservation and Management · Environmental Sustainability in Business · Regulation and Compliance Studies