Review of Sustainability-Oriented Innovation Papers

This assignment involves reviewing a collection of papers on sustainability-oriented innovation from renowned journals and books. The papers cover topics such as sustainable business model innovation, corporate social responsibility, and industrial occupational safety and health innovation for sustainable development. The review aims to provide an overview of the current state of research in this field and identify key findings and concepts that are relevant to sustainability-oriented innovation.

Innovation and
The Sustainable
Organisation

Table of Contents
PART A...........................................................................................................................................3
Section 1......................................................................................................................................3
PART B............................................................................................................................................4
Section 2: Kingfisher Plc and its sustainability offerings ..........................................................4
What is the company’s approach to making profit from sustainability?....................................5
Section 3: Company may best pursue sustainability for its offerings........................................5
Section 4: Identification of Stakeholders....................................................................................6
Section 5- Sustainability Benchmark..........................................................................................7
Section 6- Recommendations......................................................................................................8
Section 7- Conclusion.................................................................................................................9
Appendix .........................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1
.........................................................................................................................................................2

PART A
Section 1
In seminar case studies, different aspects of sustainable production, innovation and
consumption were used. For this report, Kingfisher Plc is a selected retail organisation which
produce home improvement and different products to customers at affordable price and better
quality. I have studied six case studies which are related with sustainability and its issues and
how company can resolve them using innovative techniques. Sustainability is defined has a
procedure in which an individual or an organisation makes efforts to bring efficiency in their
activities but without harming environment and society (Aalbers and Dolfsma, 2015). The main
emphasis is provided under this approach is upon production of the products and services much
more better then earlier one and help to enhance the livelihood of the general public of society.
One of the aspect which is noticed by me that it it difficult to implement sustainability in actual
within an organisation. The factor which hinder the application and implementation of
sustainability within the organisational practices is about having ineffective internal mechanism.
This will build extra burden upon the organisation and creates difficulties in the process of the
implementation of sustainability. The another factors which is noticed by me and I think has
huge contribution behind the failure of application of sustainable practices within an organisation
is about misalignment between sustainability goals and financial decision undertaken. These
decision are taken into the consider at later stage and this will have huge negative impact upon
budget and financial planning of the organisation which they carried out at earlier stage.
According to me, one of the reason behind non consideration of any practice which help
in the development of environment I expensive in nature and the main motto of organisation to
earn large number of profits. This is the reason that they tale the sustainability approaches at the
secondary level and provide main emphasis on the earning and enhancement of profit. This is the
main reason which creates difficulties in the process of effective implementation of sustainability
(Adams and et. al., 2016). One of the aspect which I want to introduce and suggested from my
side is about that all the organisations irrespective of their size and scope must ensure the
adoption of sustainable approaches in their business strategies. This will have positive result in
future and help in effective implementation of environmental practices. One of the main aspect
which help in the creation of awareness among the organisation regarding acceptance of

sustainability practices is about ascertainment of their futuristic positive impacts. This will create
the sense of responsibility among the management of organisation regarding that they have
positive contribution in the betterment of the society. Another factor which hinder the adoption
of sustainability practices is about consumer behaviour. They always tend to purchase the
products and services which are less in amount irrespective of their quality and the process of
manufacturing.
So, the preferences and trends which are set by the consumers makes the task difficult for
the organisation regarding the acceptance of environmental approaches and to build their
production processes environmentally sustainable (Anadon and et. al., 2016). Repetition of the
older activities must have negative impact upon the social and economic aspect and hinder the
overall growth. Active participation of each and everyone is must in respect of the effective
deliverance of sustainability at ground level. The major focus is needed to be provide on poor
section of society and contribute their best in respect of the fulfilment of their expectations. This
will help to brought the implementation approaches in actual and attain sustainability in actual. I
have the opinion that concern of all towards the environment is must for its effective protection
and preservation.
PART B
Section 2: Kingfisher Plc and its sustainability offerings
Kingfisher Plc is a chosen organisation for this project. It is a British multinational
retailing organisation in United Kingdom. It was founded in 1982 by Andy Cosslett, Veronique
Laury and headquartered in London, England, United Kingdom. It is a biggest home
improvement retail organisation in Europe. This company is involved in the supply of home
improvement product as well as service also via an effective network of retail stores and many
other useful channels. In addition, Kingfisher Plc also provide property investment, digital
sourcing, finance and information technology services. Kingfisher’s ambition is to create home
improvement accessible so that every person can have a home they feel better regrading
(Antikainen and Valkokari, 2016). Company believes that a great home has to be more
sustainable - one that is resource smart, healthy, energy efficient and low-cost to run.
Sustainability introduces as an effective process of people keeping change in a balanced
environment or atmosphere, in which the development of resources, orientation of technology

development, direction of investment and institutional variation are all in enhance both future
and current potential in order to meet human aspirations and needs. Main aim of this organisation
is to provide
Innovation – Approximately 28% of revenue of Kingfisher’s is now driven from its products or
services that support customers develop more sustainable homes. Due to this, it well on the mode
to its ambition of around 50% by 2020.
Energy – energy saving services and products have saved company's clients around £750m in
energy bills. Along with this, it is enough to power each and every home in Paris for complete a
year (Baumgartner and Rauter, 2017). It has decreased its own energy or capacity intensity by
approximately fifteen percent and opened its first or new energy favourable store during 2015.
Timber – Around 96% of timber applied in Kingfisher goods is now effective and sustainably
sourced and an organisation has establish a collaboration or cooperation with RSPB.
What is the company’s approach to making profit from sustainability?
Porter's Generic Competitive strategy is consider best strategy which is used by
Kingfisher Plc in order to maintain better relation with customers, this strategy divided into four
parts such as cost leadership, differentiation, cost focus and differentiation focus. All these are
more suitable and essential strategy which will help an organisation to increase their market
share and profitability within given time duration (Cooper, 2016). In case of kingfisher Plc, cost
leadership is more appropriate and essential strategy because in this, cost of product is low and
variety of product is high. As it will support an organisation to gain sustainability within given
time duration.
Section 3: Company may best pursue sustainability for its offerings
The are are many ways through sustainability is to carried out within an organisation. In
this regard, many option are available such as application of the greener technology, energy
conversation and usage of solar energy in fulfilment of the objectives and targets relation to the
sustainability (Moschitz, Roep, Brunori and Tisenkopfs, 2015). There are many principles upon
which organisation is needed to be stick as this will to bring sustainability and the right product
is delivered. This will also provides the opportunity to bring effective quality as this will does
not have compromising the ability of future generations. There are many approaches which are
required to be undertaken by business in bringing sustainability in the organisation as follows:

Mission: This can be mention as one of the crucial ways through which sustainability is
brought in the organisational practices and operations. The main mission of an organisation
about the replacement of combustion engines with the electric one. This will provides an
opportunity regarding bringing the sustainability within the practices in the operations. upon the
basis of the mission of an organisation major partnership, decisions and supply chain is formed
this will aid in fulfilment of the target.
Stakeholder Engagement: This is the important process which includes about the
participation of stakeholders in the organisational activities (Lopez-Valeiras, Gomez-Conde and
Naranjo-Gil, 2015). This will provides an opportunity to get the maximum output can be
generated upon the sustainability practices. There are many other benefits that can be associated
with the same which is about proper and right execution of the practices and undertaking of the
organisation. The different stakeholders which are needed to provide emphasises on
communities, employees and customers as they needed to be more ethical and responsible
towards the welfare of the environment.
Waste reduction: This is the important concept which is about reduction of waste as this
will also considered under sustainable approach. This will brings an obligation upon the
employees to use the resources in more efficient and effective manner so this will results in
minimum amount of wastages. The approaches which have contribution regarding the betterment
of this concept is about use of automation and lean production. This will help in effective and
rightful completion of the demands in appropriate manner. These waste reduction approaches
have huge contribution in the process of identification of the aspects which are not much needful
and increase the overall cost. This will provides an opportunity to the management of an
organisation to bring usage of the effective resources which help in the fulfilment of the
objectives.
Section 4: Identification of Stakeholders
Corporate social responsibility introduces as the integration of socially beneficial
practices and programs into a organisational business culture and model. Main aim of CSR is a
maximise long-term profits for offline and online organisation by enabling them to become much
more efficient as well as attract favourable attentions attention for their efforts. Kingfisher Plc
mission statement is offering more value for their shareholders by emphasising on 3 key

priorities such as management, capital and returns. Self-selection commission is geared towards
giving an environment that promote and provides merit to group efforts. They are attached in
having participative and consultative management instead of directional management. They also
promote proper authority commission and accurate decision making on the lowest manageable
member of the company (França and et. al., 2017).
Along with this, collective effort as well as teamwork is being insisted. Kingfisher
supports and influence the idea of attractive compensation to a better performance. In the
organisation, there are different stakeholders such as customers, employees, government etc. all
these are connected to consumption and production of the Kingfisher product and services. All
stakeholders have interested to achieve long term growth and success of an organisation within
given time duration. Along with this, Kingfisher Plc is known to formulate effective corporate
social responsibilities as well as constructs long term strategies or plan which guide to
transformation of retail industry.
Section 5- Sustainability Benchmark
The main objective behind implementing sustainability initiative within an organization
is to increase the brand image and competitive position at marketplace. To achieve the same, it
is important for Kingfisher Plc to mitigate the impact upon the environment and uplift their
performance level (Hueske, Endrikat and Guenther, 2015). For this, the manager of Kingfisher
Plc need to update their existing products and services through upgrading process and
equipments which brings company ahead than their rivals. There are different segments which
can be adopted under this approach which mainly focuses on opting an innovative measures in
addition with the ideal management of available resources. Setting benchmark by the
management of Kingfisher Plc can be done after conducting proper research about the
offerings, techniques and strategies adopted by their rivals in the competitive market. It brings
motivation and right direction to an organization to proper analysis of their rivals strategies and
make corrective actions and effective plans accordingly. For this, the management should
provide an appropriate training session for their employees in order to conduct market research
so that the exact information about the current trends and actions of their rivals can be easily
identified. It ensures an organisation about their future sustainability which makes easy for the
management to make further actions and plans in order to continue the same for longer duration.

Sustainable growth plan of Kingfisher Plc is their roadmap up to 2025, setting out the
other level on our journey towards being a net favourable business. At Kingfisher, they have a
clear motive is to develop great homes by making home betterment accessible for everyone.
Company report their progress each year, being honourable regarding their achievements and the
set-backs they have experienced (Jilcha and Kitaw, 2017).
Section 6- Recommendations
From the above mentioned it has been recommended to Kingfisher Plc to develop
sustainability in marketplace.
 Manager of Company should develop innovation in their product which will also help
them to retain customers for long time and also to accomplish better outcomes within
given time period.

 Kingfisher Plc should use cost leadership which will also support them to increase market
share and profitability easily. It will also help them in sustainability growth and
development of an organisation.
 There is crucial requirement to match supply of their home improvement products which
can be easily and effectively met via variegation of supply chain for such enterprise.
Section 7- Conclusion
From the above given information, it has been concluded, sustainability is essential for
growth and success of an organisation. Increasingly, organisations are making strategic decisions
about the kind and extent of their CSR or corporate sustainability policies. It comes as
individuals, governments and community organisations are all high status sustainability more
and more as an important aspect of any social and corporate policy. Business that have been
proactive and effective are already reaping essential advantages from their forward looking
practices. Sustainability is more important for an organisation to retain employees and well as
customers for long time by providing them better atmosphere and quality products at affordable
price.
Appendix
Week 1 In the first week, I attempted to increase familiarity or information with the
sustainability concept and determined its importance in the actual
atmosphere. While evaluating the various aspects of the sustainability and
development, I have discovered that home betterment product have come
out to be best interest of the environment and needs to be countered. The
lecturer explained us regarding significance of executing such practice in
actual life as well as making single contribution so that atmosphere could be
shown for longer time duration (Ketata, Sofka and Grimpe, 2015).
Week 2 Now that I have have an innovative of what sustainability and growth is and
attempted to activity in actual life conditions which is being familiar by our
senior manager as well. The lecturer explained us to executed sustainability
practices in effective and actual life so that comprehensive engagement is to
be completed (Lopez-Valeiras, Gomez-Conde and Naranjo-Gil, 2015).
Considering the situation of the atmospheres, along with this, I have started

to home improvement product pool with my collogues so that our exercise
guides to minimal unfavourable effect on the atmosphere and complete our
work also. He expressed that we have to select a sector and effort to develop
a task on the same as well. I select retail industry because of my emotion for
the home improvement product. Along with this, in this week, I also found
issue of sustainability faced by company. It will highly effects on business
performance and growth by reducing number of employees and customers.
In order to overcome this impact, I suggest an organisation to use
sustainability practices in their production and consumption process. Thus,
it is identify best part for growth and success of company within given time
duration.
Week 3 In this week, the lecturer carry on us to executed some investigation online
and analysis ways via which we can separately impart to arrangement of a
breathable atmospheres. I was going via a paper or press relies looking to
organise a mini-study on the subject of sustainability as well as found an
different article, an innovative home improvement product. I was
hypnotized with the type of thinking they possess and way in which he
involving to the sustainability (Martinez-Conesa, Soto-Acosta and Palacios-
Manzano, 2017).
Week 4 In this week which I definite to proceed my investigation upon the subject
of sustainability with the particular thinking to the brand Kingfisher Plc. I
was very pull in to the information that this enterprise is delivering clients
needs at the same period precedence on the upliftment on the society. In this
I explained with my mentor to develop sustainability which will help an
organisation to gain better advantages and growth within given time
duration. It is best part of my life which will help me in my growth and
success in specific organisation (Moschitz, Roep, Brunori and Tisenkopfs,
2015).
Week 5 In this week, I attend to gather information and data about the topic of
sustainability. For this I need different books, journals, magazines, literature

review and many other sources. All these are best and useful sources which
will help me by providing accurate and reliable information about the topic.
It will help me by increasing my research skills and knowledge about the
topic. Along with this, books, journals and articles were also applied to
complete each activities in more effective and systematic manner.
Week 6 In this week, I have to instant the study to the superior and in the advance of
the class. I was frightened as my friends or colleges have already given the
draft or document to superior and I was more than a 24-hour interval late
than them. In this week, I submit my project which will help me to develop
my strength and ability in particular area of field. Thus, it is essential for me
to achieve better outcomes and attain sustainability for an organisation
within given time duration (Rover, de Gennaro and Roselli, 2016).

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Aalbers, R. and Dolfsma, W., 2015. Innovation networks: Managing the networked
organization. Routledge.
Adams, R. and et. al., 2016. Sustainability‐oriented innovation: A systematic
review. International Journal of Management Reviews.18(2). pp.180-205.
Anadon, L. D. and et. al., 2016. Making technological innovation work for sustainable
development. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 113(35). pp.9682-
9690.
Antikainen, M. and Valkokari, K., 2016. A framework for sustainable circular business model
innovation. Technology Innovation Management Review. 6(7).
Baumgartner, R. J. and Rauter, R., 2017. Strategic perspectives of corporate sustainability
management to develop a sustainable organization. Journal of Cleaner
Production. 140.pp.81-92.
Cooper, A., 2016. Governing global health: challenge, response, innovation. Routledge.
França, C. L. and et. al., 2017. An approach to business model innovation and design for
strategic sustainable development. Journal of Cleaner Production, 140, pp.155-166.
Hueske, A. K., Endrikat, J. and Guenther, E., 2015. External environment, the innovating
organization, and its individuals: A multilevel model for identifying innovation barriers
accounting for social uncertainties. Journal of Engineering and Technology
Management. 35. pp.45-70.
Jilcha, K. and Kitaw, D., 2017. Industrial occupational safety and health innovation for
sustainable development. Engineering science and technology, an international
journal. 20(1). pp.372-380.
Ketata, I., Sofka, W. and Grimpe, C., 2015. The role of internal capabilities and firms'
environment for sustainable innovation: evidence for G ermany. R&d Management.
45(1). pp.60-75.
Lopez-Valeiras, E., Gomez-Conde, J. and Naranjo-Gil, D., 2015. Sustainable innovation,
management accounting and control systems, and international
performance. Sustainability. 7(3). pp.3479-3492.
Martinez-Conesa, I., Soto-Acosta, P. and Palacios-Manzano, M., 2017. Corporate social
responsibility and its effect on innovation and firm performance: An empirical research
in SMEs. Journal of cleaner production. 142. pp.2374-2383.
Moschitz, H., Roep, D., Brunori, G. and Tisenkopfs, T., 2015. Learning and innovation networks
for sustainable agriculture: processes of co-evolution, joint reflection and facilitation.
Rover, O., de Gennaro, B. and Roselli, L., 2016. Social innovation and sustainable rural
development: The case of a Brazilian agroecology network. Sustainability. 9(1). p.3.
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