CO2-reducing innovations and outsourcing: Evidence from photovoltaics and green construction in North-East Italy

Riccardo Leoncini, Sandro Montresor () and Francesco Rentocchini

Research Policy, 2016, vol. 45, issue 8, 1649-1659

Abstract: The paper investigates whether innovations entailing a perceived reduction of CO2 emissions are related to outsourcing. Some research hypotheses are put forward and tested on a sample of firms in two key ‘green-industries’, sustainable buildings and photovoltaics, in a regional context (North–East Italy) for which detailed survey-based information could be collected. An effect on CO2 reducing innovations is found for the externalisation of tangible activities only, as opposed to intangibles, whose outsourcing even decreases them. The results are robust in econometric terms, and suggest some new environmental implications of the standard ‘make-or-buy’ decisions of firms.

Keywords: Environmental innovations; CO2 reduction; Outsourcing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L23 L24 Q55 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (19)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:respol:v:45:y:2016:i:8:p:1649-1659

DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2016.04.010

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