Eco-innovation of food processing and manufacturing SMEs

This study aims to investigate the impact of green shared vision (GSV) and green knowledge sharing (GKS) on eco-innovation types and further investigates the impact of these types on sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) and sustainable business performance (SBP) within the food manufacturing and food processing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of a developing country.

Partial least square structural equation modeling technique was used to test the hypotheses. Simple random sampling was used, and data were collected from 312 owners/managers of food manufacturing and processing SMEs.

The results reveal a significant positive relationship between GSV, GKS and eco-innovation types. Furthermore, it was revealed that all three types of eco-innovation are significantly related to SCA and SBP.

The results of this research will assist food manufacturing and food processing SMEs in reducing their eco-footprint to gain SCA and SBP. Furthermore, policymakers and governing bodies may implement strong regulations to curtail eco-pollution.

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that incorporates the concept of eco-innovation in food processing and food manufacturing SMEs of a developing country in the light of the natural resource orchestration theory.