Sustainable transition in the living industry: an explorative study of the early phases of a publicly funded innovation network

Chiara Ancillai, Andrea Sabatini, Antonella La Rocca and Andrea Perna

European Journal of Innovation Management, 2026, vol. 29, issue 11, 76-103

Abstract: PurposeThis study analysed the foundational conditions that underpin the establishment of a publicly funded innovation network (PFIN) aimed at fostering sustainability transitions in the living industry.Design/methodology/approachMethodologically we have conducted an exploratory and qualitative study by conducting 2 focus groups, including 11 participants.FindingsAnalysis of regional stakeholders' perceived needs identified two key categories: enhancing firms' skills and capabilities and strengthening relationships within a broader innovation ecosystem, including interactions among firms, between firms and users and between firms and policymakers.Originality/valueAdopting a bottom-up perspective, this study contributes to the literature on sustainability transitions and PFINs by elucidating the early-stage needs of actors likely to engage with PFINs. Addressing these needs from the outset can help shape the activities of PFINs, ensuring a more targeted and effective approach to fostering sustainable transitions.

Keywords: Innovation; Sustainability; PFIN; Network; Policy; NRRP (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.emerald.com/ejim/article/29/11/76/1346 ... e-living-industry-an (text/html)
https://www.emerald.com/ejim/article-pdf/29/11/76/ ... m-03-2025-0357en.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:ejimpp:ejim-03-2025-0357

DOI: 10.1108/EJIM-03-2025-0357

Access Statistics for this article

European Journal of Innovation Management is currently edited by Dr Vincenzo Corvello

More articles in European Journal of Innovation Management from Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Emerald Support ().