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Product portfolio innovation: As a strategy for a carbon free future

Svensson, Therese LU (2013) MVEM12 20131
Studies in Environmental Science
Abstract
In order to combat climate change businesses, among others, have major responsibility decreasing GHG emissions generated from, for example, industry processes and products/services. Companies need to develop innovative strategies as a strategy intended for reducing companies’ carbon footprint aimed at a carbon free future. One important strategy employed by companies to reduce their environmental impacts is a product portfolio management via designing and developing products meeting the criteria of a climate positive approach. Therefore, this thesis seeks to evaluate how environmental portfolios management and innovation process can enable a carbon free future. This reserach will explore, if the companies offer solutions that actually... (More)
In order to combat climate change businesses, among others, have major responsibility decreasing GHG emissions generated from, for example, industry processes and products/services. Companies need to develop innovative strategies as a strategy intended for reducing companies’ carbon footprint aimed at a carbon free future. One important strategy employed by companies to reduce their environmental impacts is a product portfolio management via designing and developing products meeting the criteria of a climate positive approach. Therefore, this thesis seeks to evaluate how environmental portfolios management and innovation process can enable a carbon free future. This reserach will explore, if the companies offer solutions that actually contribute to reduced negative climate impacts and in line with a climate positive approach, or if companies rather operate with eco-marketing rhetoric without achieving any tangible GHG reduction or if it risk being green washing.
The research methodology for this thesis comprises a case study research of four companies and their product portfolios. The companies selected for the analysis in this research include: Akzo Nobel; Swedish ball bearing factory AB (SKF); General Electrics (GE); Koninklijke PTT Nederland (KPN). In order to answer the research questions, data was collected from different sources containing literature review of relevant scientific articles, books, reports and documents from selected companies. As a complement to the literature review, the thesis involved qualitative in-depth interviews with business representatives from the four companies and representative from WWF and Ecofys.
Result of this research reveals that all companies analysed have a potential to develop and offer products that are in line with a climate positive approach. The absence of clear guidelines and unified practices for the companies to evaluate the environmental performance of their product portfolios creates a risk of presenting so called “green washing” strategies instead of making a real contribution reducing corporate carbon footprint. The four product portfolios that have been studied have a potential for improvements, for example, via a development of more clear guidelines and setting more concrete targets, transparent, have standardized qualifications, not support fossil fuel and support solutions that have the potential in a carbon free future. However, it is also important that companies have dialogs with stakeholders, customer and even political society regarding how they can contribute to reduced climate impact. In addition, companies need to have the ambition to expand the environmental portfolio so it can become integrated within the entire company. (Less)
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author
Svensson, Therese LU
supervisor
organization
course
MVEM12 20131
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Product portfolios, Environmental portfolios, Climate strategies, Innovations, Climate positive approach
language
English
id
4157370
date added to LUP
2013-12-19 16:57:20
date last changed
2013-12-19 16:57:20
@misc{4157370,
  abstract     = {{In order to combat climate change businesses, among others, have major responsibility decreasing GHG emissions generated from, for example, industry processes and products/services. Companies need to develop innovative strategies as a strategy intended for reducing companies’ carbon footprint aimed at a carbon free future. One important strategy employed by companies to reduce their environmental impacts is a product portfolio management via designing and developing products meeting the criteria of a climate positive approach. Therefore, this thesis seeks to evaluate how environmental portfolios management and innovation process can enable a carbon free future. This reserach will explore, if the companies offer solutions that actually contribute to reduced negative climate impacts and in line with a climate positive approach, or if companies rather operate with eco-marketing rhetoric without achieving any tangible GHG reduction or if it risk being green washing. 
The research methodology for this thesis comprises a case study research of four companies and their product portfolios. The companies selected for the analysis in this research include: Akzo Nobel; Swedish ball bearing factory AB (SKF); General Electrics (GE); Koninklijke PTT Nederland (KPN). In order to answer the research questions, data was collected from different sources containing literature review of relevant scientific articles, books, reports and documents from selected companies. As a complement to the literature review, the thesis involved qualitative in-depth interviews with business representatives from the four companies and representative from WWF and Ecofys. 
Result of this research reveals that all companies analysed have a potential to develop and offer products that are in line with a climate positive approach. The absence of clear guidelines and unified practices for the companies to evaluate the environmental performance of their product portfolios creates a risk of presenting so called “green washing” strategies instead of making a real contribution reducing corporate carbon footprint. The four product portfolios that have been studied have a potential for improvements, for example, via a development of more clear guidelines and setting more concrete targets, transparent, have standardized qualifications, not support fossil fuel and support solutions that have the potential in a carbon free future. However, it is also important that companies have dialogs with stakeholders, customer and even political society regarding how they can contribute to reduced climate impact. In addition, companies need to have the ambition to expand the environmental portfolio so it can become integrated within the entire company.}},
  author       = {{Svensson, Therese}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Product portfolio innovation: As a strategy for a carbon free future}},
  year         = {{2013}},
}