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dc.contributor.authorMead, Taryn Lee
dc.date.accessioned2017-11-27T08:36:07Z
dc.date.issued2017-06-09
dc.description.abstractIn recent decades, many multinational corporations have used nature inspired innovation (NII) strategies as a mechanism of sustainability-oriented innovation (SOI). In this context, these activities are typically initiated by sustainability or innovation managers who are seeking to utilise novel tools and approaches but generally do not have specific innovation goals. For some, NII is viewed as a new product development tool and for others, it is a broad perspective that defines a larger sustainability narrative for the organisation. This analysis of six cases describes the diversity of innovation types of NII in multinational corporations aiming to apply these models to sustainability-oriented innovation at multiple levels. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews (n=45) with NII team members from both inside and outside of the organisation. Additional data included internal project documents and web-based content associated with the NII projects. Cases were then compared and contrasted to identify patterns and anomalies of factors that influence the adoption of NII. While perceptions of NII were relatively consistent across cases, several factors were identified related to sustainability perspectives, the role of management, organisational structures, and innovation culture that influenced adoption. This thesis makes an original contribution to knowledge within the NII, sustainability-oriented innovation, and innovation adoption literatures by differentiating NII as an approach to SOI in MNCs, establishing an innovation typology in this context, and identifying three SOI narratives that influence the adoption of NII. Specific factors related to sustainability narratives, innovation culture and infrastructure, and management styles that support and inhibit SOI and NII in MNCs are used to distinguish three unique SOI narratives – Ambiguous, Accountable, and Aspirational. Conclusions suggest a NII readiness assessment may facilitate the adoption of NII by identifying the most effective approaches depending on the narrative of SOI within the company.en_GB
dc.description.sponsorshipMarie Curie Early Career Research Network - Innovation for Sustainabilityen_GB
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10871/30466
dc.language.isoenen_GB
dc.publisherUniversity of Exeteren_GB
dc.rights.embargoreasonWriting publications related to the thesis findings.en_GB
dc.subjectsustainability oriented innovationen_GB
dc.subjectnature inspired innovationen_GB
dc.subjectbioinspired innovationen_GB
dc.subjectbiomimicryen_GB
dc.subjectbiomimeticsen_GB
dc.subjectcradle to cradleen_GB
dc.subjectcircular economyen_GB
dc.subjectcorporate sustainabilityen_GB
dc.subjectinnovation for sustainabilityen_GB
dc.subjectsustainable innovationen_GB
dc.titleFactors Influencing the Adoption of Nature Inspired Innovation for Sustainability in Multinational Corporationsen_GB
dc.typeThesis or dissertationen_GB
dc.contributor.advisorJeanrenaud, Sally
dc.publisher.departmentManagementen_GB
dc.type.degreetitlePhD in Management Studiesen_GB
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoralen_GB
dc.type.qualificationnamePhDen_GB


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