Innovation and new technologies - pillars for a business sustainable development

• Author: Dovleac L.
• Pages: 385-390

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series V: Economic Sciences • Vol. 8 (57) No. 2 - 2015

Innovation and new technologies – pillars for a

business sustainable development

Lavinia DOVLEAC1

Abstract: This paperwork approach the topic of sustainability as an essential condition for

business survival on any market. In this context, the question is if companies are actively

integrating sustainability principles into their businesses. The objective for this paper is to

present how much innovation and new technologies help companies on their path to

achieving sustainability and what could be done more in this direction. The paper aim is

realised based on the results of a marketing research conducted among Romanian

companies from different industries.

Key-words: innovation, new technologies, sustainable development

1. Introduction

The company sustainability is defined as a combination of environmental, social,

and governance issues.

Sustainability has long been on the agenda at many companies, but for

decades their environmental, social, and governance activities have been

disconnected from core strategy (Bonini, 2011). Certain industries - energy, the

extractive industries and transportation - report that their companies are taking a

more active approach than those in other sectors, probably as a result of those

industries’ potential regulatory and natural-resource constraints.

Debates on how best to promote sustainable and inclusive development are

incomplete without a full consideration of issues of science, technology and

innovation (STI). Technology and innovation serves as a crucial driver of rising

prosperity and improved national competitiveness (United Nations, 2015).

Sustainable development policies seek to change the nature of economic

growth rather than limit it. They are premised on the belief that continual growth in

a finite world is possible through the powers of technology, which will enable us to

find new sources or provide alternatives if a particular resource appears to be

running out. Otherwise, technology will help us use and reuse what we have left in

the most efficient manner (Beder, 1994).

1 Transilvania University of Braşov, lavinia.dovleac@unitbv.ro