Review of EU projects with a focus on environmental quality : innovation, eco-innovation, and circular-economy elements

Hojnik, Jana (author), Ruzzier, Mitja (author), Konečnik Ruzzier, Maja (author), Sučić, Boris (author), Soltwisch, Brandon William (author), Rus, Matej (author)

The primary objective of this study is to delve into transnational projects conducted between 2014 and 2020, with a strong emphasis on environmental quality. Our focus is directed toward projects that encompass either eco-innovation or feature elements intrinsic to a circular economy. To achieve this goal, we introduce a pioneering analytical framework tailored to dissect transnational projects, which intricately interweaves the diverse dimensions of environmental quality and innovation, facilitating a comparative assessment across various program classifications. Our approach aligns with the overarching mission of the four flagship initiatives, in which we evaluate the combined impacts on sustainability and innovation. This evaluation considers three fundamental factors: (1) resource allocation, (2) innovation type, and (3) infusion of eco-innovation or circular economy elements. Our methodology unfolds through a systematic, step-by-step progression. First, we meticulously handpick programs, specifically Interreg, Horizon, and Life projects, within the scope of TSG3 (Environmental Quality). Each of these programs corresponds to one of the following four flagship initiatives: (1) overseeing and managing marine species, (2) fostering sustainable development in coastal and maritime zones, (3) safeguarding and elevating natural habitats and terrestrial ecosystems, and (4) formulating transnational contingency strategies for maritime accidents. Through an exhaustive review, we identify projects that either directly or indirectly champion eco-innovation or other facets of the circular economy. Concurrently, we uncover broader manifestations of innovation, eco-innovation, and circular economy principles. Employing the Oslo Manual as a guide, we methodically categorize these innovations into the product, process, organizational, and marketing domains. In the timeframe under scrutiny, a relatively modest subset of projects embraced eco-innovations and practices aligned with the circular economy. Our findings culminate in the formulation of practical implications to invigorate the integration of these dimensions.

• Language: English
• Keywords: innovations, sustainable development, environment, sustainability, Eco-innovation, innovation, EU projects, entrepreneurship
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.02 - Review Article
• Organization: EF - School of Economics and Business
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: 12 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 8, iss. 1
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-159697
• UDC: 001.895
• ISSN on article: 2096-2487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijis.2023.10.001
• COBISS.SI-ID: 168648963
• Publication date in RUL: 18.07.2024

HOJNIK, Jana, RUZZIER, Mitja, KONEČNIK RUZZIER, Maja, SUČIĆ, Boris, SOLTWISCH, Brandon William and RUS, Matej, 2024, Review of EU projects with a focus on environmental quality : innovation, eco-innovation, and circular-economy elements. International journal of innovation studies [online]. 2024. Vol. 8, no. 1. [Accessed 26 April 2025]. DOI 10.1016/j.ijis.2023.10.001. Retrieved from: https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/IzpisGradiva.php?lang=eng&id=159697

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: International journal of innovation studies
• Shortened title: Int. j. innov. stud.
• Publisher: Science Press (CSPM Ltd.), Elsevier
• ISSN: 2096-2487
• COBISS.SI-ID: 528555289

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: inovacije, trajnostni razvoj, okolje

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: J5-3106
• Name: Eko inovacije in krožno gospodarstvo – pot do bolj trajnostne in vključujoče prihodnosti: vloga demografskih sprememb in digitalizacije