Driving Sustainability-Oriented Innovation: A Study of Portuguese Industrial Companies’ Business Models

Authors

  • Jordana Marques Kneipp Federal University of Santa Maria
  • Luísa Cagica Carvalho Institute Polytechnic of Setúbal, Portugal
  • Clandia Maffini Gomes FIA Business School, Brazil
  • Greice Eccel Pontelli Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4643-478X
  • Felipe Cavalheiro Zaluski Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil
  • Lurdes Barroso Simão University of Beira Interior, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-27242025000300102

Keywords:

Business Model, Innovation, Portuguese Companies, Sustainability, Sustainability Strategy, Sustainability-oriented innovation

Abstract

In response to society’s growing demand for sustainable practices, innovation across products, services, processes, and business models is now expected to minimize the adverse impacts of industrial processes. This study investigated the influence of innovation management on sustainability within the business models of Portuguese industrial companies. A quantitative approach was employed through a survey conducted among Portuguese industrial companies, with data analysis performed using the partial least squares technique. The findings revealed a positive relationship between sustainability-oriented innovation practices and sustainable business models. Furthermore, the adoption of such systems had a positive influence on the level of innovation. This research contributes to the existing literature by exploring the association of innovation management with sustainability within business models. The insights gained can provide valuable guidance to managers and decision-makers in promoting innovation and facilitating the transition to a more sustainable future.

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Author Biographies

Jordana Marques Kneipp , Federal University of Santa Maria

Jordana Marques Kneipp is a Full Professor Department of Administrative Sciences and Postgraduate Program in Administration at the Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.

Luísa Cagica Carvalho, Institute Polytechnic of Setúbal, Portugal

Luísa Margarida Cagica Carvalho is a Full Professor at Department of Economics and Management, School of Business and Administration, Institute Polytechnic of Setúbal, Portugal.

Felipe Cavalheiro Zaluski, Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil

Felipe Cavalheiro Zaluski is a PhD candidate in Administration from the Postgraduate Program in Administration from the Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.

Lurdes Barroso Simão, University of Beira Interior, Portugal

Lurdes Barroso Simão has a PhD in Management from the University of Beira Interior, Portugal, and member of a Research Unit NECE-UBI - Research Centre for Business Sciences at the University of Beira Interior, Portugal.

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Published

2025-10-23

How to Cite

Marques Kneipp , J., Cagica Carvalho, L., Maffini Gomes, C., Eccel Pontelli, G., Cavalheiro Zaluski, F., & Barroso Simão, L. (2025). Driving Sustainability-Oriented Innovation: A Study of Portuguese Industrial Companies’ Business Models. Journal of Technology Management and Innovation, 20(3), 102–111. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-27242025000300102

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Research Articles