ISSUES AND TRENDS OF ECO-INNOVATION FOR RESOURCE EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS IN ROMANIAN SMEs

• Main Authors: SIMONA FRONE, ANDREEA CONSTANTINESCU
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Academica Brâncuşi 2018-06-01
• Series: Analele Universităţii Constantin Brâncuşi din Târgu Jiu : Seria Economie
• Subjects: green economy; SME; resource efficiency; eco-innovation; industrial eco-system
• Online Access: http://www.utgjiu.ro/revista/ec/pdf/2018-03/28_Frone.pdf

As analysed in our previous publications, eco-innovation and resource efficiency are important concepts that represent strong pillars and opportunities for implementing the green and circular economy in the European Union and in Romania, as practical steps in the Sustainable Development Strategies. However, there were conclusions signalling some issues and challenges to be still tackled demanding coordinated efforts and policies at all scales. The main objective of the research is the analysis of the SMEs eco-innovation efforts to raise resource efficiency, by implementing specific actions and investment able to play a decisive role in the transition to a green economy in Romania. Methodology is based on previous research outcomes of conceptual and empirical analysis in the areas of resource efficiency, green economy, and eco-innovation parks as well as on comparative analysis based on recent reporting. In this view, we emphasize again the positive direct correlation between eco-innovation and resource productivity revealed by recent national and international surveys as well as by own research.The conclusions and policy recommendations are that lately Romanian SMEs have become interested to adopt measures to improve their resource efficiency and have made some progress but are still lagging behind in comparison to the EU average. A chance for catching-up would be the development of more industrial ecosystems in Romania, in view of a sustainable development and a green economy.