Critical network factors for eco-innovation in manufacturing: A Delphi study from a triple helix perspective

Managing networks for eco-innovation remains a top priority in manufacturing due to industrial collaborations being the de facto mode of functioning for modern manufacturing firms. Accordingly, an awareness of critical network factors is imperative for strategies that lead to successful sustainability-focused partnerships and profitable collaborations. This study applies a group-based multi-criterion decision-making technique—the Delphi methodology—to evaluate critical network factors for eco-innovation in manufacturing from the viewpoint of 116 experts within the triple helix, that is, university, industry and government experts. The study uniquely frames the eco-innovation strategy challenge for manufacturing from a network perspective. Review of literature and an online survey identifies 63 network motivational, configurational and transformational factors. Subsequent polled results show heterogeneity during Delphi selection (Cochran's Q: p < 0.001) and prioritisation (Friedman's Q: p < 0.001) rounds with ‘environmental concern by top management’, ‘innovative organisational strategies’, and ‘integrity norms of signed contract’ as the top motivational, configurational and transformational factors. The study also discusses the theoretical and managerial implications of the study for triadic orientations and triple helix framing of eco-innovation networks and concludes by identifying research limitations and potential future research areas.