Sustainability
(2017) doi: 10.3390/su9122286.
Abstract
Background:
In responsible research and innovation (RRI), innovation is seen as a way in
which humankind finds solutions for societal issues. However, studies on
commercial innovation show that firms respond in a different manner and at a
different speed to the same societal issue. This study investigates what role
organizational motives play in the product innovation processes of firms when
aiming for socially responsible outcomes.
Methods:
This multiple-case study investigates the motives of food firms for healthier
product innovation by interviewing firms about the organizational motives
behind product reformulation and innovation.
Results:
This study highlights the importance of having both instrumental and moral
motives in the innovation process when aiming for socially responsible
outcomes, and how both these motives interact and contribute to responsible innovation
in industry. Furthermore, the study results question the nature of relational
motives as a separate category from the other two categories of motives, as
suggested by corporate social responsibility (CSR) scholars.
Conclusions:
If commercial innovation needs to contribute to solutions for societal issues,
the importance of moral motives has to be stressed without annihilating the
instrumental objectives of firms. Both motives contribute to the success
factors of responsible product innovation in industry.
Keywords: responsible research and
innovation, RRI; corporate social responsibility, CSR, product innovation,
motives, moral motives, instrumental motives, food industry, public health
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