Title: Environmental concurrent engineering: a way to competitive advantage?

Authors: Beatriz Junquera, Jesus Angel Del Brio

Addresses: Facultad de Ciencias Economicas y Empresariales, Universidad de Oviedo, Avda. del Cristo, s/n 33071 Oviedo, Spain. ' Facultad de Ciencias Economicas y Empresariales, Universidad de Oviedo, Avda. del Cristo, s/n 33071 Oviedo, Spain

Abstract: The objective of this work is to examine to what degree the integration between the R&D and environmental departments facilitates the achievement of an environmental action-based competitive advantage. To do so, we surveyed 110 ISO 14001 certified factories located in Spain. The results reveal, first of all, that the integration of the environmental action into the R&D department enhances the company|s reputation through the product quality and image. Likewise, the company|s relationships with internal and external stakeholders are improved, as are the company|s innovative capability on the whole and, hence, its ability to penetrate international markets.

Keywords: environmental R&D; competitive advantage; innovative capability; business reputation; green products; research and development; concurrent engineering; simultaneous engineering; Spain; innovation; product development.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2009.026803

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2009 Vol.5 No.3, pp.256 - 270

Published online: 26 Jun 2009 *

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