International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy

| Peer-Reviewed |

Sustainability Issues in Innovative Waste Reduction Technology Adoption and Assimilation

Received: 25 September 2013    Accepted:     Published: 10 November 2013
Views:       Downloads:

Share This Article

Abstract

Increasing number of innovative waste reduction technologies are continuously being developed across various industrial sectors. Adoption and assimilation of proven waste reduction technologies can lead to significant resource savings, cost reduction, protection of biodiversity, and environmental conservation. However, transfer and adoption of technologies either across industrial sectors or geographical jurisdictions may pose enormous challenges to the adopters. In this study, issues affecting successful adoption and assimilation of waste reduction technologies from developed countries to developing countries and from one industrial sector to another were examined. Potential solution based on empirical study were also proposed. The study involved extensive literature survey and analysis of adoption procedures used by a number of technology adopters observed. It was discovered that the sustainability of waste reduction technology adopted depends on the fitness of the technology to the overall corporate success strategy, its compatibility with the corporate culture, availability of enabling operational infrastructure, sustained socio-political interest, and lifecycle cost of the technology.

DOI 10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.13
Published in International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 1, Issue 4, November 2013)
Page(s) 59-67
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Waste Reduction, Sustainability Issues, Technology Adoption, Lifecycle Cost, Ecological Impacts

References
[1] WRT (Waste Reduction Technology), "Four Reasons Why Waste Reduction is Important to Your Company." Accessed on 4th April 2011 from http://www.wastereduction.org/
[2] M. Berry and E. Rondinelli, "Proactive corporate environmental management: A new industrial revolution," Academy of Management Executive, vol. 12(2), pp. 38-50, 1999.
[3] R.D. Klassen and D.C. Whybark, "The Impact of Environmental Technologies on Manufacturing Performance," The Academy of Management Journal, vol. 42 (6), pp. 599-615, 1999.
[4] S. Valentine, "The Green Onion: A Corporate Environmental Strategy Framework," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 2009, DOI: 10.1002/csr.21
[5] M.R.M. Crul; J.C. Diehl, and C. Ryan, "Design for Sustainability: A Step by Step Approach," United Nations Environment Programme, ISBN: 92-807-2711-7, 2009.
[6] G.E. Hunt, "Waste Reduction Techniques: An Overview," Pollution Prevention Review/Winter 1990-91. Accessed on 12 April 2011 from http://www.p2pays.org/ref/02/01036.pdf
[7] V. Wong; V. Shaw and P. Sher, "Effective Organization and Management of Technology Assimilation: The Case of Taiwanese Information Technology Firms," Industrial Marketing Management, vol. 27(3), pp. 213-227, 1998.
[8] N. Beaumont, and R. Tinch, "Abatement cost curves: a viable management tool for enabling the achievement of win –win waste reduction strategies?" Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 71(3), pp. 207–215, 2004.
[9] CEHI (Carribean Environmental Health Institute), "A directory of environmental waste reduction technologies." Accessed online at http://www.cehi.org.lc/ESTDIRECTORY.pdf
[10] L.F. Diaz; G.M. Savage; L.L. Eggerth and L. Rosenberg, " Single-celled Protein and Ethanol Production," UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre, CalRecovery, Inc. Accessed online on 30 April 2011 at http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/publications/spc/solid_waste_management/Vol_I/15-Chapter9.pdf
[11] J.D. Englehardt, "Pollution prevention technologies: A review and classification," Journal of Hazardous Material, vol. 35, pp. 119-150, 1993.
[12] J. Gonzalez and J. Kelly, "Innovative waste treatment and conditioning technologies at nuclear power plants." Accessed online at http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/te_1504_web.pdf
[13] S. Sthiannopkao and S. Sreesai, "Utilization of pulp and paper industrial wastes to remove heavy metals from metal finishing wastewater," Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 90(11), pp. 3283-3289, 2009.
[14] Zerbock, O. (2003). Urban Solid Waste Management: Waste Reduction in Developing Nations. Accessed on April 26 from http://www.cee.mtu.edu/sustainable_engineering/resources/technical/Waste_reduction_and_incineration_FINAL.pdf
[15] E.J. Bakker; A.J. Berkhout,; L. Hartmann, and P.C. Rem, "Turning Magnetic Density Separation into Green Business Using the Cyclic Innovation Model," The Open Waste Management Journal, vol. 3, pp. 99-116, 2010.
[16] V.T. Dao and J.K. Kim, "Scaled-up bioconversion of fish waste to liquid fertilizer using a 5 L ribbon-type reactor," Journal of Environmental Management, doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.05.003.
[17] M. El-Fadel; M. Zeinati; K. El-Jisr and D. Jamali, "Industrial-waste management in developing countries: The case of Lebanon," Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 61(4), pp. 281-300, 2001.
[18] B. González-Corrochano; J. Alonso-Azcárate, and M. Rodas, "Production of lightweight aggregates from mining and industrial wastes," Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 90(8), pp. 2801-2812, 2009.
[19] M. Hardie; G. Miller, and S. Khan, "Waste Minimisation in Office Refurbishment Projects: An Australian Perspective," The Open Waste Management Journal, vol. 4, pp. 21-27, 2011.
[20] X. Zhang; L. Shen; Y. Wu and G. Qi, "Barriers to Implement Green Strategy in the Process of Developing Real Estate Projects," The Open Waste Management Journal, vol. 4, pp. 33-37, 2011.
[21] J. Fujimoto; Y. Umeda; T. Tamura; T. Tomiyama and F. Kimura, "Development of Service-Oriented Products Based on the Inverse Manufacturing Concept," Environmental Science and Technology, vol. 37, pp. 5398-5406, 2003.
[22] W. Kerr, and C. Ryan, "Eco-efficiency gains from remanufacturing: A case study of photocopier remanufacturing at Fuji Xerox Australia," Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 9 (10), pp. 75-81, 2001.
[23] J. Baldwin and Z. Lin, "Impediments to Advanced Technology Adoption for Canadian Manufacturers," Statistics Canada Paper 11F0019MPE No. 173, ISSN: 1200-5223 ISBN: 0-662-30788-7, 2001.
[24] V.H. Carr , " Technology adoption and diffusion," Accessed on 28 December 2008 at http://tlc.nlm.nih.gov/resources/publications/sourcebook/adoptiondiffusion.html
[25] BTTC, "What is Technology Adoption?" Accessed on 20 June 2011 at http://www.bridges-to-technology.com/page21.html
[26] K. Zhu; K. Kraemer, and S. Xu, "The Process of Innovation Assimilation by Firms in Different Countries: A Technology Diffusion Perspective on E-Business," Management Science, Vol. 52(10), p. 1557–1576, 2006.
[27] O.C. Eneh, "Technology Transfer, Adoption and Integration: A Review," Accessed on 4th April 2011 at docsdrive.com/pdfs/ansinet/jas/2010/1814-1819.pdf
[28] C. O’Neal; H. Thorelli, and J. Utterback, "Adoption of Innovation by Industrial Organizations," Industrial Marketing Management, vol. 2, pp. 235-250, 1973.
[29] H. Zhang; D. Zhang; T. Jin; P. He; Z. Shao, and L. Shao, "Environmental and economic assessment of combined biostabilization and landfill for municipal solid waste," Journal of Environmental Management, doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.05.018.
[30] BGCI (Botanic Gardens Conservation International), "Agenda 21: Programme of Action for Sustainable Development," BGC News, vol. 3 (2), June 1999.
[31] N. Kim and R. Srivastava, "Managing Intraorganizational Diffusion of Technological Innovations," Industrial Marketing Management, Vol. 27, p. 229–246, 1998.
[32] D. Krajnc and P. Glavic, "How to compare companies on relevant dimensions of sustainability," J. Ecological Economics, Vol. 55, p. 551– 563, 2005.
[33] H. Muga and J.R. Mihelcic, "Sustainability of wastewater treatment technologies," Journal of Environmental Management, Vol. 88(3), p. 437-447, 2008.
[34] UNGA (United Nations General Assembly), "Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States," Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April-6 May 1994. A/CONF.167/9
[35] V. Veleva and M. Ellenbecker, "Indicators of sustainable production: framework and methodology," Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 9, pp. 519–549, 2001.
[36] E. Daniel, A. Myers and K. Dixon, "Don't Blame the Tools: The Adoption and Implementation of Managerial Innovations," Don't Blame the Tools, 2009, pp. 1-44. doi:10.1016/B978-1-85617-682-8.00001-1
[37] P. Stoneman and M. Kwon, "Technology adoption and firm profitability," The economic journal, vol. 106(437), pp. 952-962, 1996.
[38] I.S. Dunmade, "Collaborative lifecycle design - A viable approach to sustainable rural technology development," International Journal of Technology Management and Sustainable Development, vol 9(2), pp. 149-154, 2010.
[39] I.S. Dunmade, "Indicators of Sustainability: Assessing the Suitability of a Foreign Technology for a Developing Economy," Technology in Society, vol. 24(4), pp. 461-471, 2002.
[40] A. Generowicz; J. Kulczycka; Z. Kowalski and M. Banach, "Assessment of waste management technology using BATNEEC options, technology quality method and multi-criteria analysis," Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 92, pp. 1314-1320, 2011.
[41] T. Cooke-Davies, "The ‘‘real’’ success factors on projects," International Journal of Project Management, vol. 20, pp. 185–190, 2002.
[42] T. Conley and C. Udry, "Learning About a New Technology: Pineapple in Ghana," Accessed on 20 June 2011 at www.econ.yale.edu/~cru2/pdf/july2005a.pdf
[43] F. Batz; K. Peters and W. Janssen, "The influence of technology characteristics on the rate and speed of adoption," Agricultural Economics, vol. 21(2), pp. 121-130, 1999.
[44] A. Belout and C. Gauvreau, "Factors influencing project success: the impact of human resource management," International Journal of Project Management, vol. 22, pp.1–11, 2004.
Author Information
  • Department of Environmental Sciences, Mount Royal University, Calgary, Canada

Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Israel Dunmade. (2013). Sustainability Issues in Innovative Waste Reduction Technology Adoption and Assimilation. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 1(4), 59-67. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.13

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Israel Dunmade. Sustainability Issues in Innovative Waste Reduction Technology Adoption and Assimilation. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2013, 1(4), 59-67. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.13

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Israel Dunmade. Sustainability Issues in Innovative Waste Reduction Technology Adoption and Assimilation. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2013;1(4):59-67. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.13

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.13,
      author = {Israel Dunmade},
      title = {Sustainability Issues in Innovative Waste Reduction Technology Adoption and Assimilation},
      journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
      volume = {1},
      number = {4},
      pages = {59-67},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.13},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20130104.13},
      abstract = {Increasing number of innovative waste reduction technologies are continuously being developed across various industrial sectors. Adoption and assimilation of proven waste reduction technologies can lead to significant resource savings, cost reduction, protection of biodiversity, and environmental conservation. However, transfer and adoption of technologies either across industrial sectors or geographical jurisdictions may pose enormous challenges to the adopters. In this study, issues affecting successful adoption and assimilation of waste reduction technologies from developed countries to developing countries and from one industrial sector to another were examined. Potential solution based on empirical study were also proposed. The study involved extensive literature survey and analysis of adoption procedures used by a number of technology adopters observed. It was discovered that the sustainability of waste reduction technology adopted depends on the fitness of the technology to the overall corporate success strategy, its compatibility with the corporate culture, availability of enabling operational infrastructure, sustained socio-political interest, and lifecycle cost of the technology.},
     year = {2013}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Sustainability Issues in Innovative Waste Reduction Technology Adoption and Assimilation
    AU  - Israel Dunmade
    Y1  - 2013/11/10
    PY  - 2013
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.13
    T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
    JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
    JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
    SP  - 59
    EP  - 67
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-7536
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.13
    AB  - Increasing number of innovative waste reduction technologies are continuously being developed across various industrial sectors. Adoption and assimilation of proven waste reduction technologies can lead to significant resource savings, cost reduction, protection of biodiversity, and environmental conservation. However, transfer and adoption of technologies either across industrial sectors or geographical jurisdictions may pose enormous challenges to the adopters. In this study, issues affecting successful adoption and assimilation of waste reduction technologies from developed countries to developing countries and from one industrial sector to another were examined. Potential solution based on empirical study were also proposed. The study involved extensive literature survey and analysis of adoption procedures used by a number of technology adopters observed. It was discovered that the sustainability of waste reduction technology adopted depends on the fitness of the technology to the overall corporate success strategy, its compatibility with the corporate culture, availability of enabling operational infrastructure, sustained socio-political interest, and lifecycle cost of the technology.
    VL  - 1
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

  • Sections