The Environmental Regulation Driving Eco-innovative Strategies in the Pulp and Paper Industry

This study aimed to analyze the association of environmental regulation with the adoption of both proactive and reactive eco-innovation strategies in the Brazilian pulp, paper, and paper product industry. Methodology was based on a quantitative approach, using a cross-sectional survey by means of a self-administered online questionnaire answered by 117 sector companies of all sizes and Brazilian regions. Data analysis consisted of inferential statistics with logistic regression analysis. The main results show that the organizations participating in this study consider environmental regulation as conducive of proactive, more than reactive, eco-innovation strategies, as opposed to previous literature. This result fits into the evolutionary perspective, which postulates that companies see environmental regulation as less a cost and more an opportunity, directing them to improve productivity and competitiveness.

本研究旨在探究环境规制与巴西纸浆、造纸及纸制品行业企业采用主动型与被动型生态创新战略之间的关联性。研究采用定量研究范式，通过面向全规模、覆盖巴西各区域的117家行业企业发放自填式在线问卷，开展横断面调查。数据分析采用推断统计（inferential statistics）结合逻辑回归分析。核心研究结果显示，参与本研究的企业认为环境规制对主动型生态创新战略的推动作用强于被动型生态创新战略，这与既往研究文献的结论相悖。该结论契合演化视角的核心主张：企业将环境规制更多视作发展机遇而非成本，进而驱动其提升生产率与市场竞争力。