Countries three wise men: Sustainability, Innovation, and Competitiveness
Abstract: The studies on links
between sustainability, innovation, and competitiveness have been mainly
focused at organizational and business level. The purpose of this research is
to investigate if there is a correlation between these three variables at country
level. Using international well recognized rankings of countries
sustainability, innovation, and competitiveness, correlation analysis was
performed allowing for the conclusion that there are indeed high correlations
(and possible relationships) between the three variables at country level.
Design/methodology/approach: Sustainability, innovation, and
competitiveness literature were reviewed identifying a lack of studies
examining these three variables at country level. Three major well recognized
indexes were used to support the quantitative research: The World Economic
Forum (2013) Sustainability-adjusted global competitiveness index, the Global
Innovation Index (2014) issued by Cornell University, INSEAD, and WIPO and the
IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook (2014).
After confirming the distributions normality, Pearson correlation
analysis was made with results showing high linear correlations between the
three indexes.
Findings: The results of the correlation analysis using Pearson
correlation coefficient (all correlation coefficients are greater than 0.73)
give a strong support to the conclusion that there is indeed a high correlation
(and a possible relationship) between social sustainability, innovation and
competitiveness at country level.
Research limitations/implications: Further research is advisable to
better understand the factors that contribute to the presented results and to
establish a global paradigm linking these three main constructs (social
sustainability, innovation, and competitiveness). Some authors consider that
these measurements are not fully supported (e.g. due to different countries
standards), however, it is assumed these differing underlying methodological
approaches, by being used in conjunction, can be considered as a set of reliable
and useful performance indicators.
Practical implications: The results highlight the simultaneous
relationship between social sustainability, innovation and competitiveness
superior performance and the need to take that these considerations into business
and operating models.
Social implications: This research suggests that sustainability and
innovation policies, strategies and practices are relevant for countries
competitiveness and should be promoted particularly in countries ranked low on
sustainability and innovation global scoring indexes.
Originality/value: This is one of the few studies addressing the
relationships between sustainability, innovation and competitiveness at country
level.
Author: Luis Miguel Fonseca,
Vanda Marlene Lima
Journal Code: jptindustrigg150094
