"Data for: Frugal Innovation and Sustainability in the Footwear Sector" published by RAC-Revista de Administração Contemporânea

ABSTRACT: Objective: this article aims to analyze how footwear companies can innovate frugally in
convergence with the principles of sustainability. Theoretical framework: this objective was
achieved based on studies that observe the relationship between sustainability and frugal
innovation, with an emphasis on bricolage strategies, from a perspective of applicability in the
footwear industry, as it is a sector with high environmental impact. Method: the research uses
design science research, and made use of a field diary, for greater depth of understanding of the
footwear environment, as well as secondary analysis of documents on the internet and transcribed
interviews with the seven experts. Results: the study managed to propose two action artifacts, one
of them a frugal and sustainable sneaker artifact, which reuses production material to produce
cheap, quality footwear, that would otherwise be discarded at a financial loss, and, as a second
action artifact, it realized the need for collaborative and constant action between universities and
companies in the search for frugal and sustainable solutions, which can benefit both companies,
through profitable results, and the university, through longitudinal research and production of
articles. Conclusions: the footwear industry yearns for low-cost (frugal) innovations that are at the
same time sustainable, and demonstrates capacity and interest in meeting social and political
demands for sustainable actions; in order to achieve this, greater proximity to the university
presents itself as a collaboration that can produce benefits for both, with side effects of positive
impact on environmental initiatives, society, and government policies.
Keywords: bricolage; frugal sneakers; university and business collaboration; artifacts;
footwear industry.