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November 30, 2006
Arusha, Tanzania, June 4-7, 2007
TED's first global conference is taking place with amazing people who are doing something valuable for Africa's future. Their voices will inspire. And their ideas will spread.
"Over the past few years a growing number of people in the TED community have become passionate about Africa, a continent that appears to be at an important tipping point. Its problems and challenges are well known. Less well known is that across the continent, change is afoot. Instead of relying only on development aid, Africans across the continent are beginning to take matters into their own hands. Ingenious solutions are being applied to tackle some of the toughest health and infrastructure problems. Businesses are being launched that are capable of transforming the lives of millions. New communication technologies are allowing ideas and information to spread, enabling markets — and governments — to be more efficient. And the numbers suggest that incomes are starting to nudge up in some countries and real growth is on the way. A new Africa beckons."
Some of the speakers already confirmed include:
Jacqueline Novogratz: After 20 years' involvement in Africa, she founded the Acumen Fund, a leader of the "new philanthropy" movement which, instead of offering charity, supports entrepreneurs who are building businesses in areas such as healthcare, low-cost housing and water distribution.
Eleni Gabre-Madhin: Economist and leading researcher on African agricultural markets.
Danniel Annerose: CEO of and founder of Manobi, developer of prize-winning cellphone-based services that, for example, give farmers market intelligence and allow them to achieve better prices for their crops.
Jane Goodall: Famous for her pioneering work with chimpanzees in Tanzania, she has become a globally recognized conservationist and a United Nations "Messenger of Peace."
Patty Stonesifer: CEO of the Gates Foundation, the world’s largest philanthropic organization. The Foundation funds multiple projects in Africa with a major focus on tackling AIDS, malaria and other public health issues.
See the full list of speakeres.
You can Register here.
What is TED?
What are TEDTALKS?.
November 28, 2006
IE Business School has signed an agreement with the Consejería de Empleo y Mujer de la Comunidad de Madrid to collaborate in offering forty-two scholarships intended for women graduates who are resident in the Autonomous Community of Madrid who wish to improve their skills in business administration. These scholarships cover 70% of all academic expenses; the remaining 30% is covered by the candidate. The scholarships by program are the following:
Executive MBA: 17 scolarships
Executive MBA online: 4 scolarships
International MBA: 4 scolarships
International Executive MBA: 4 scolarships
MBA Part Time: 13 scolarships
All tose interested must request the scholarship here before December 7th. At the same time, they must fil their admission form at Instituto de Empresa in a 40 day period. Admission is mandatory in order to obtain the scholarship.
For more information click here (In Spanish).
Independent Research and Practical Ideas for Global Development
The Center for Global Development is looking for a Controller, who will report to the Vice-President of the Center and will be responsible for financial policies, controls, strategic planning, and procedures. Individual must be "hands-on" as he/she prepares all financial reports and budgets and responsible for all audit and tax compliance. Other responsibilities include cash management, investment analysis, grant budget preparation, compliance, and reporting, employee benefits analysis and processing, receipting of funds, and maintenance of the general ledger. This position supervises one employee who is responsible for payroll and accounts payable.
learn more about the position and the required qualifications.
About the CGD:
The Center for Global Development is dedicated to reducing global poverty and inequality through policy-oriented research and active engagement on development issues with the policy community and the public. A principal focus of the Center's work is the policies of the United States and other industrial countries that affect development prospects in poor countries.
Continue reading 'One more for jobseekers on Development'
Looking to help drive Google.org's Global Poverty & Sustainable Development efforts?
Google is looking for several candidates for this position, based in Mountain View, California. This team works to innovate, establish and support sustainable models for global development. "Our mission is to accelerate growth and positive social impact using market-based, entrepreneurial approaches that promote sustainable economic growth and empowerment. We are exploring several potential approaches and creative interventions, including the following: creating jobs, fostering entrepreneurial support, discovering and advancing market-based solutions for basic socio-economic needs, bolstering girls' and women's education, providing access to financial services, clean energy and BOP innovations. These Program Directors will help lead program activities, assist in the development of Google.org's poverty alleviation strategy and manage the portfolio of grants and investments."
Take a further look at the Responsibilities and Requirements.
Continue reading 'For those job seekers on the BoP'
November 27, 2006
Este año, la Fundación Teletón México ha decidido trascender las fronteras de México para la búsqueda del apoyo solidario de la sociedad española. Queremos invitar a la sociedad, empresas e instituciones españolas a sumarse solidariamente a esta causa que ayudará a la rehabilitación e integración de niños y jóvenes chiapanecos, fortaleciendo los lazos de hermandad entre ambos países.
La meta es desarrollar una acción solidaria España-México para colaborar con la edificación y futuro mantenimiento de un Centro de Rehabilitación Infantil de niños con discapacidad en Chiapas.
Ex-A-Tec Madrid es parte activa de la campaña del Teletón. Si quieres colabrorar, puedes recoger tu bote en el Instituto de Empresa, calle Pinar, 7 Bajo.
Para más información, ponte en contacto con Enrique J. Marí / Yessica Núñez en el teléfono 91.309.59.71 o por mail. Campaña Teletón España 2006
Continue reading 'Teletón en España'
November 24, 2006
Yet another great debate has taken place November 9, 2006 at 3 Times Square in New York City. Reuters, The Conference Board and the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative at Harvard University have organized it.
Finding the optimal path to capitalism in the 21st century, generating long term value over the long term. Citizenship and sustainability struggling to gain top-executive mindshare. Boosting corporate reputation. Citizenship and sustainability programs moving up in priority. These are some of the ideas covered here.
A majority of major companies concerned with corporate responsibility issues acknowledge that they lack an active strategy to develop new business opportunities arising from meeting these citizenship and sustainability needs, according to a report released by The Conference Board. The report is based on a new survey of 198 medium to large multinational companies. Take a look at their report (The full report is only available to members).
Nearly half (46%) of the responding companies say that corporate citizenship and sustainability are major sources of business opportunity and not only sources of business risk alone. When added to the 44% who see these issues as sources of both risk and opportunity, a total of 90% of participating companies say their company's approach to corporate citizenship and sustainability issues reflects at least some belief in the potential rewards.
Peter S. Knight, President of Generation Investment (Jed Emerson from Generation Foundation was with us at IE this past November 17th), Samuel A. Dipiazza, CEO PwC and Doug Bauer, Senior Vicepresident of the Rockefeller philanthropy are some of the people who take part on the conversation.
November 23, 2006
Celia de Anca, Director of the Centre for Diversity in Global Management, Instituto de Empresa
On 6-8 November at the Westin Hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Instituto de Empresa (IE) Business School, Madrid jointly with Effat College in Jeddah, developed an innovative international program to foster and promote entrepreneurship skills of Saudi Arabian Business Women.
47 women entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs successfully completed a three day program aimed at equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their local environment.
The sponsorship of the National Commercial Bank in Saudi Arabia enabled the participation of 15 female students from Effat College, Dar Al Hekma, and the College of Business Administration. Representatives from King Abdul Aziz University also attended. Women from the corporate world also participated in the programme representing international companies such as D.H.L., Xenel Group HR & Training Center, Jeddah United Sports, Abdul Latif Jameel Vocational Training Center, La Woman and Optics Company. Moreover, a group of well-known women entrepreneurs shared their experiences on how they initiated their careers as Saudi Women Entrepreneurs.
The program was opened by Dr. Haifa Reda Jamal Al Lail Dean of Effat College, and Dr. Celia de Anca, Director of the Center for Diversity in Global Management at Instituto de Empresa Business School. Both representatives gave an overview of the main themes of the program. They also provided information regarding the collaboration between the two institutions in the framework of this first event, as well as in a series of future events that will take place in Jeddah and in Madrid.
After the opening of the seminar, three key areas were developed during the three days of sessions:
Entrepreneurship Skills: Professors, Ignacio de la Vega and Paz Ambrosy provided an overview of the mindsets, methods, and managerial activities that support the entrepreneurial process. The main theoretical tools for the entrepreneurship process were discussed in the local context of Jeddah so that participants could better understand how to adapt theoretical models into real business practices.
Women in Business Intl Best Practices: Professor Celia de Anca gave an overview of women leaders worldwide. Today’s international organizations are increasingly open to the idea that women can act as a catalyst for the organization’s capacity to innovate. Participants analyzed the local opportunities from women leaders and explored the options available for women, identifying areas for training and personal development as necessary tools to obtain the maximum benefits out of the existing opportunities.
Women in Business: The Local Environment: The third part of the program was dedicated to the local environment for women in business in Saudi Arabia: Prestigious guest speakers focused on the current environment in the Kingdom for business women, highlighting the opportunities available and the challenges ahead. The experts also expounded models of successful women from the region and some of the key factors of their success.
Continue reading 'Women Entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia: An International'
November 22, 2006
According to the Financial Times, a global shortage of poly-crystalline silicon, which is the basic raw material used to convert the sun’s rays into electricity, may turn the whole solar industry into an unviable one, at least for the next 5 years. It was projected that this shortage would be happening until 2008, hence poly silicon prices have doubled in 20 months and will rise to around 30% over the next three years.
The Economist on the other hand points out recent investments on solar energy, which are at $63 billion this year, up from $49 billion last year and $30 billion the previous year, having clean energy take one tenth of America’s venture capital. Their editorial suggests that “the flood of money into clean energy is better news for society than it is of investors.”
With soaring demand, such as that coming from California, which according to the Gobernator, aims to generate 20% of its power from renewable sources; or that coming from Germany which is the largest solar market in the world, despite the fact that the sun is not a regular visitor there, solar projects receive as much as EUR 0.57 for each kilowatt-hour, of electricity generated, compared with the usual EUR 0.05 for dirtier power.
The price for generating solar power has consistently fallen over time, going from $200 per watt to around $2.7 per watt. Yet, a Merrill Lynch report on the solar sector states that the transactions on poly silicon are unsustainable, at prices of $200 a kilogram, which is around 500% higher than in 2004. Goldman Sachs on the other hand expects output to be doubled by 2010.
What is certain is that the risks ahead in renewable energies should be further considered. The opportunity and the need are certainly there, but the targets have to be realistically considered, together with what assures to be a surging competitive market.
The Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) and Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) announced the results of their first ever joint benchmark survey, "Sustainable Business & Strategy: Views From the Inside."
According to their survey, CSR has a high profile inside sustainability business professionals companies. As an example of that, 72% of the survey responders stated that their CEO publicly communicates their company’s commitment to CSR, 47% believe they have the resources needed to achieve their CSR goals and 94% expect environmental, health and safety (EHS) and CSR to have more impact on business strategy over the next five years".
"The survey provides important, new information about the context in which sustainability professionals operate, and the growing momentum we see to connect a company’s corporate social responsibility efforts to overall business strategies," said Eric Olson, Vice President, Advisory Services at BSR.
The focus of the survey was on different aspects of EHS and CSR program management. The respondents, 54 sustainability professionals who are members of GEMI and/or BSR, came from a broad range of business sectors with consumer product companies representing the largest single business sector completing the survey (35%). Most respondents (89%) were from companies that were headquartered in North America. Annual sales of those companies participating in the survey ranged from $2 million to $95 billion, with an average (mean) of $21 billion.
"Not only does the survey reveal that there is strong senior management commitment to and in support of CSR, but companies are well down the road in implementing specific actions to advance the CSR agenda, including integrating environmental and social considerations into product design and procurement processes, and collaborating with external stakeholders, such as NGOs," adds Accarino.
See the whole survey analysis.
See the Overview slides.
See the complete slides.
Seventh Generation and TreeHugger have launched Convenient Truths, a user-created video contest promoting accessible, influential, and inspiring responses to reducing our carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuel.
The contest has been endorsed by former Vice President Al Gore, who calls it "a great way to spread the word and bring the issue into our daily lives."
Entrants will have through February 2007 to create and submit 1-2 minute videos on everyday solutions to climate change. The site has just gone out and features a carbon calculator, news on climate change, and tips on reducing personal carbon emissions.
Winning entries will be determined by a combination of web viewers and expert judges. The winning videos will be broadcast on various outlets and the Top 10 videos will be packaged on a DVD and distributed by Ironweed Films.
Prizes valued at close to $25,000 are designed to reduce winners' carbon emissions in high-impact areas of travel, transportation, and home. It is an interesting way of leveraging from An Inconvenient Truth into as they well describe Convenient Answers.
November 21, 2006
Dr. Milton Friedman, 1976 Nobel Prize for economics, has died at age 94. He was one of the most influential economists in the 20th century, maximized individual freedom and had a close relation to the economic policies of presidents like Regan and prime ministers like Thatcher.
He was the author of a very provocative article in regards to business in society in the New York Times of 1970 and which stated that the “social responsibility of business” is to “increase its profits”.
This has led to a robust discussion and strengthening of arguments in regards to Corporate Responsibility, both in favour and against:
“Not only can corporate and social needs be integrated, but the success of the developing world in improving prosperity is of fundamental strategic importance to almost every company.” Michael Porter on “The Competitive Advantage of Corporate Philanthropy”
“Today corporate social responsibility, if it is nothing else, is the tribute that capitalism everywhere pays to virtue.” The good company: a survey of corporate social responsibility,” The Economist, 20 January 2005.
Joel Makower from World Changing has written an interesting article in this regards. Building on the discussion allows a better understanding of business in society. Dr. Friedman was a strong contributor to this ongoing conversation; hope you care to join it…
Interested in doing business in Mexico? If so, perhaps you might find quite useful the following Doing Business in Mexico 2007 report. This report gives federal, state, and local policymakers the ability to measure regulatory performance against other states and countries, learn from global and national best practices, and prioritize reforms.
Aguascalientes has bee the top ranked state for the second straight year. Querétaro, one of the most beautiful states of all (there’s no direct relation with it being my home state), was the lowest ranked overall performer last year. However it has now created a public-private task force dedicated to improving its benchmarks and thus has ended up in a more respectable 7th place.
Take a look at the full report.
The top ten cities within these states for doing business in Mexico are:
1. Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes
2. Guanajuato, Celaya
3. Nuevo León, Monterrey
4. Sonora, Hermosillo
5. Campeche, Campeche
6. Zacatecas, Zacatecas
7. Querétaro, Querétaro
8. Mochoacán, Morelia
9. Sinaloa, Culacán
10. Mexico City
Fast Company business magazine has announced the 2007 Social Capitalist Award winners. These represent social entrepreneurs which are both generating financial profit and social benefit. Companies like Endeavor and PeaceWorks where this past week sharing their projects and passion with IE MBA students. Some of the most interesting companies awarded are:
Trains banks around the world to be microfinance partners, making small loans (averaging $674) to help poor people start businesses. Eventually, these microlenders become self-sustaining. ACCION has recently developed new services--home-improvement loans, insurance, and savings vehicles.
Connects financial markets to social markets by raising capital from private and institutional investors, then lending it to more than 200 socially oriented organizations. Borrowers repay at a 99.8% rate, and investors get their capital back with interest, less a slice to fund Calvert's operations.
Has forged a network of 70 companies committed to publishing sustainability reports and improving environmental and social performance. Its Global Reporting Initiative, launched in 1997 with the United Nations Environment Program, is now the de facto standard used by 850 companies.
Helps entrepreneurs across Africa and Latin America build and fund successful businesses, creating jobs and vibrant communities. Endeavor Entrepreneurs have created 38,418 jobs in 140 companies, 96% of which stay in business longer than 42 months. Endeavor plans to expand into 26 additional countries.
Fights poverty in sub-Saharan Africa by selling low-cost technology that dramatically raises farmers' crop yields and incomes. Farmers earn $4 for every $1 they invest in pumps, lifting average income to $1,100 annually, from $110. As a result, 225,000 people no longer live in poverty.
Via workshops, town-hall meetings, and college tours, PeaceWorks emphasizes tolerance and coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians--and trains young people to serve as youth leaders who promote nonviolence. In 2005, 180,000 people participated in its programs. Eight hundred Israeli and Palestinian youth were trained in leadership and negotiation, and young leaders organized 30 events.
To see the full list of 43 companies click here.
November 20, 2006
The first Social Responsibility Day, Find Your Impact, took place this Friday, November 17th at Instituto de Empresa. This event was organized by the International MBA students, hosting experts who held discussions on sustainability.
The prize for the best Social Entrepreneurship Business Plan was awarded at this event. The jury decided, after having a very strong competition from the Sumaq Schools, to have two winners share the award. The winning projects are:
OpcionVenezuela, from IESA, in Venezuela.
Offers a technological solution on information management which allows to create a marketplace for university’s social responsibility.
HelpArgentina, from Universidad San Andrés, in Argentina.
NGO which has a mission to strengthen Argentinean civil organizations through the mobilization of donors and voluntaries as well as through the promotion of best practices.
The award consists of EUR 3,000, which will be split among both winners, as well as institutional support from Instituto de Empresa and the Sumaq Alliance which will be tailored in accordance to the winners needs and to the business school's resources.
Wining projects must have Social Impact at the core of their business, this while being economically and socialy and/or environmentaly sustainable.
The objective of the award is that of strengthening social entrepreneurship on MBA students as a good and sustainable way of doing businesses, uniting social and financial value and professionalizing this type of activities.
The other two finalists of the competition where FairTrend, from Instituto de Empresa, (Brand of quality casual wear with products made of 100% organic cotton being sourced from fair trade producers) and Projeto Social +1, from FGVSP (NGO which destines the rounding of purchasing tickets to other NGO’s).
The award ceremony was broadcasted LIVE through webcast to all Sumaq Schools as well as to all Net Impact members.
November 14, 2006
The Instituto de Empresa's Net Impact Chapter is having its first annual Social Responsibility Day, entitled "Find Your Impact", this Friday 17 November.
Corporate responsibility, social entrepreneurship, and renewable energy will be the themes covered by distinguished guests from these areas such as Daniel Lubetzky, Cristóbal Colón, Jeroo Billimoria, and many others who will discuss opportunities and challenges in their respective fields.
This year's keynote speaker will be Jed Emerson, a Senior Fellow at Generation Foundation and a Fellow at Said Business School at Oxford University. Mr. Emerson is recognized as an international leader in the field of strategic philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and blended value investing.
Special thanks to our programme sponsors, Acciona and Sanitas, who will also share their insights on Renewable Energy and Corporate Responsibility, respectively.
We look forward to welcoming many of you to what promises to be a unique event at IE.
Go to the event’s webpage.
Oxfam International has just brought out their report on Health, Education, and Water and Sanitation for All.
This report shows that developing countries will only achieve healthy and educated populations if their governments take responsibility for providing essential services.
Rich country governments and international agencies such as the World Bank should be crucial partners in supporting public systems, but too often they block progress by failing to deliver debt relief and predictable aid that supports public systems.
For those job hunting, in order to provide basic health care and education for all, the world needs 4.25 million more health workers and 1.9 million more trained teachers.
I believe that Oxfam reports, by being so critical put things in balance and bring people, institutions and governments into action, which is already a big contribution; but I also find it important to be critical with such reports and moreover with their overall contribution.
It is interesting to see raising critical voices on this year’s Oxfam report, as being “more of the same”, arguing that “The Oxfam doctor's prescription is to throw more money at these self-same entities - but more consistently and in larger amounts”.
How much value are these reports really adding? Can they be improved or modified in accordance to new realities?
Read the Oxfam Report.
November 13, 2006
The New York Times has Published today an article on phylanthropeneurs, social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, you name it. It is regarding stories which have made the media, ranging from Richard Branson’s recent $3 billion dollar pledge to developing greener fuels, including Pierre Omidyar and Jeffrey S. Skoll.
Acording to Alan Abramson, director of the nonprofit sector and philanthropy program at the Aspen Institute, “These guys have firsthand knowledge of the market’s power, and they’re asking themselves why they can’t make money and tackle some of the problems once addressed primarily by government at the same time.”
It is very interesting to continue seeing the coverage that Corporate Responsibility, Social Entrepreneurship and Phylanthropy are getting by reducing the boundries between business, society and the environment.
read the whole New York Times Article.
November 10, 2006
A set of questions ranging from poverty, microfinance, Millennium Development Goals and others, have been asked to Jeffrey Sachs, author of The End of Poverty, through Daniel Altman's Managing Globalization blog.
Are the existing multilateral and bilateral development institutions efficient in fighting poverty?
What kind of agenda do you think our politicians need if they want to affect the kind of changes you advocate for in poverty elimination and environmental sustainability?
What are your views on the Latin American region, especially Brazil and Argentina? Where do you think that the challenges for growth, poverty eradication and political stabilty should stand?
These and many other questions proposed by the blog readers’ can be followed here.
November 06, 2006
Dr. Javier Carrillo Hermosilla
Director Ejecutivo del Centro para la Gestión Eco-Inteligente
INSTITUTO DE EMPRESA Business School
El concepto de ecoeficiencia se encuentra en la actualidad totalmente consolidado, tanto en la teoría como en la práctica de la gestión ambiental. Fue acuñado en 1992 por las compañías pertenecientes al World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD): “La ecoeficiencia se alcanza al proporcionar bienes y servicios a un precio competitivo, que satisfagan las necesidades humanas y aporten calidad de vida, al tiempo que reducen progresivamente el impacto ambiental y la intensidad de recursos a lo largo del ciclo de vida, hasta un nivel compatible con la capacidad de carga estimada del planeta.” El WBCSD identifica siete elementos para la generación de ecoeficiencia: reducción en la intensidad material; reducción en la intensidad energética; reducción en la dispersión de sustancias tóxicas; aumento de la reciclabilidad; maximización en el uso de renovables; aumento en la duración del producto; e incremento en la intensidad del servicio.
La ecoeficiencia es, en definitiva, una filosofía de gestión que permite guiar y medir el desempeño ambiental de las empresas y mediante un proceso de mejora continua, y por lo tanto incremental. Su puesta en práctica es sin duda una condición necesaria para minimizar el impacto ambiental en el entorno de la actividad empresarial; por desgracia, no parece que sea suficiente frente a la urgencia, y en ocasiones la irreversibilidad, de los grandes problemas ambientales. Por otra parte, en muy pocas ocasiones esas mejoras incrementales añaden un valor visible a los bienes producidos y, por lo tanto, difícilmente aportan una ventaja competitiva a las empresas que los comercializan.
La ecoinnovación, más allá de las mejoras incrementales contempladas por la ecoeficiencia y la gestión ambiental convencional, permite responder con mayor eficacia a las apremiantes exigencias del desarrollo sostenible al tiempo que ayuda a fomentar la competitividad de las empresas como se muestra más adelante. Supone la introducción de mejoras ambientales disruptivas (radicales) en los productos, las tecnologías o la organización empresarial. Encontramos algunos ejemplos de éxito en el “Modelo U” de Ford, en la premiada silla de oficina “Mirra” de Herman Miller, en el tejido “Climatex Lifecycle” de Rohner o en el calzado “Wabi” de Camper. Se trata de compañías que están a la vanguardia de la llamada “Nueva Revolución Industrial”. Estas compañías están volviendo al tablero de diseño para crear nuevos productos que incorporan la sostenibilidad ambiental desde el principio del proceso de innovación. El “Modelo U” (siguiendo al famoso “Modelo T”) de Ford Motor Company es un nuevo concepto de automóvil que ofrece todas las comodidades y funcionalidades de un vehículo normal, pero que ha sido diseñado evitando desde el principio todos los aspectos ambientalmente dañinos. Se trata de una visión de coches fabricados completamente a partir de materiales que tienen un impacto positivo en las personas y en el entorno ambiental; sus componentes son elaborados y ensamblados de modo que puedan separarse cuando el automóvil es desensamblado, y son devueltos a la tierra o a la industria; los polímeros y metales son recuperados y reciclados con el mismo o mejor nivel de calidad, para su uso generación tras generación de vehículos; los motores son alimentados con energía que se deriva del sol, y no producen contaminación. Claramente, el éxito comercial de un vehículo de estas características abriría el camino para eliminar numerosos problemas ambientales en torno a la industria del automóvil y el transporte.
Aceptando que el coste del deterioro ambiental será devuelto tarde o temprano al sistema económico que lo produce, y que es inevitable asumirlo, la ecoinnovación permite reducir ese coste y/o generar un beneficio global que lo supera. Los beneficios sociales de la ecoinnovación parecen evidentes: ayuda a la sociedad a crecer y prosperar de un modo ambientalmente sostenible; colabora a crear una economía más competitiva, creativa e innovadora; contribuye a la creación de nuevos mercados, industrias y empleos; más allá, la ecoinnovación puede constituirse en el trademark de una economía, reconocido por sus clientes y demás partes interesadas. Sin embargo, la generación de la ecoinnovación dependerá fundamentalmente de los beneficios privados que reciba el innovador. Es indiscutible que el modo en que las empresas organizan sus procesos de producción y las características de los productos y servicios que lanzan al mercado tienen una influencia crítica en el medio ambiente que nos rodea. La introducción de cambios importantes en esas decisiones dependerá de la valoración que las empresas hagan de sus potenciales beneficios y riesgos. Por desgracia, con frecuencia las encuestas muestran que las empresas conocen muy poco, o nada, sobre los costes o beneficios de sus actividades ambientales. Adicionalmente, al margen de su disponibillidad para ecoinnovar, la capacidad de las empresas para hacerlo estará condicionada por los sistemas nacionales e internacionales de innovación de los que dependen.
