Sustainable Business Strategies as an Element Influencing Diffusion on Innovative Solutions in the Field of Renewable Energy Sources

• Main Author: Ewa Stawicka
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-09-01
• Series: Energies
• Subjects: sustainable business; innovation; trust
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/17/5453

This article aims to examine the impact of corporate social responsibility, trust, and sustainable business strategies on the diffusion of innovative solutions in renewable energy sources. In this context, the material from the edition of the reports of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development on innovation in the renewable energy industry was analyzed. A survey was also conducted among enterprises from the SME sector on the creation of a business model taking into account the diffusion of innovation in the field of renewable energy sources. The SME sector consists of entities that usually do not have an extensive organizational structure or research and development teams. Nevertheless, in the current economic situation, it is required that they are highly competitive, including through implemented innovations. Conscious participation of SME entities in the process of diffusion of innovation may be a solution that brings innovative solutions closer. The author stated that social responsibility had a moderate impact on the diffusion of innovation in the field of renewable energy in the SME sector, as it contributed the most to building trust in uncertain energy sources. On the other hand, the study conducted by the author showed that greater experience in the field of social responsibility (the company has a CSR department, there is a person responsible for CSR in the company, the company has a CSR policy, the company has a Code of Ethics, social reports are prepared in the company) had a positive relationship with building trust and commitment to innovative activities related to renewable energy sources. Conscious participation of SME entities in the process of diffusion of innovation may be a solution that approximates innovative solutions.