An investigation of Eco-Innovation in household refrigerator industry : A Comparative study of Electrolux (Sweden) and Toshiba Consumer Products (Thailand)

Abstract: Purpose: The main purpose is to investigate how the two companies in a cross-national context pursue innovation particularly in the process of achieving eco-innovations practices in manufacturing operation Method: An in-depth interviewing approach was used conducting a face-to-face interview and an online video conference. Research question: " What are the key differences in the process of achieving eco-innovations in the production systems between two household refrigerator manufacturing companies in a cross-national context? " Sub-questions: 1. Why do the companies pursue eco-innovations? 2. How do the companies manage eco-innovations? 3. Who in the companies is involved in achieving eco-innovations? 4. What measurements are used to determine the success of eco-innovations? Findings: The results suggest that the organizations in each country respond to different demand and orientation. They also deploy differences in approach and involving actors towards achieving eco-innovation journey Limitations While the findings are induced from a case study of two companies in a particular industry in Thailand and Sweden, the generalizability of the findings is somehow limited