This document summarizes a lecture on sustainability, corporate responsibility, and innovation. It discusses how innovation applies to business through sustainable innovation. Examples are given of companies like Interface, Phillips, DSM, and Nike that have incorporated sustainability into their business models and innovation processes. Challenges of scaling sustainable innovation in large companies are outlined, such as financial timescales, process changes, and customer acceptance. The future outlook acknowledges that while key drivers are solid, the transition will be bumpy with collaboration and technology helping to drive more sustainable innovation over time.

1. Sustainability, Corporate
Responsibility and Innovation
February 26th 2015
Lecturer: Tobias Webb
Tobiaswebb.blogspot.com

2. Innovation and sustainable business
1. What is innovation? How is it defined?
2. How does sustainable innovation apply to
business?
1. Examples: Interface / Phillips / DSM / Nike
2. Challenges of scaling sustainable innovation in
large companies
1. Future outlook

3. What is innovation? How is it defined?
The ‘Traditional’ sense
Innovation. Noun: the action or
process of innovating. "innovation
is crucial to the continuing success
of any organization”
synonyms: change, alteration, revolution,
upheaval, transformation, metamorphosis,
reorganization, restructuring, rearrangement,
recasting, remodelling, renovation, restyling,
variation; More a new method, idea, product, etc.
plural noun: innovations
"technological innovations
designed to save energy"

4. Innovation: An overused term? Hell yes

5. How does innovation apply to business?
Sustainability / modern sense
Let’s take a look.

6. Interface
A module flooring
company that sees
itself as:
"In the business of
creating change"
Podcast on SI at Interface
Podcast on Strategy at Interface

7. Philips: Let’s take a look.

8. Royal DSM: Let’s take a look.

9. Nike
Video
Factory engagement
Targets
Governance (what has
this to do with
Innovation? A lot)

10. Challenges of scaling sustainable
innovation in large companies
• Definitions
• Financial timescales
• Process and systems
changes
• Customer acceptance
/ commercial success
• Partnership challenges

11. Future outlook
• Key drivers solid - demographics, trends, etc
• Bumpy ride so far. Lots of challenges remain
• Collaboration should drive scale but policy frameworks,
incentives, customer interest and competitive behaviour by
companies means evolution rather than revolution
• Technology!!!