The link between ecological innovations and international competitiveness in the context of the Turkish chemical industry

The link between eco-innovation and competitiveness has been the subject of extensive debate, with research shifting from a focus on the costs of greening firms to its implementation. This study attempts to contribute to the debate by highlighting the case of the Turkish chemical industry. Using data derived from computer-assisted telephone interviews across 159 companies, we explore the influence of three types of eco-innovation (organisational, process and product) on the international competitiveness of firms. Additionally, our study extends the scope of this tripartite model of eco-innovation by accounting for domestic market performance and the maturity level of innovations as moderating variables. Our findings indicate that while it does not pay to be green in terms of competitive performance, several moderating variables mediate the influence of the organisational and process types of eco-innovation on international competitiveness. Furthermore, they indicate that eco-innovation activities in developing economies are unlikely to secure a competitive advantage in international markets. The findings may inform eco-innovative policies and business strategies in developing economies.