Knowledge Management in the Ecolabnet Project: Practical and Theoretical Utilisation of Eco-innovations

Abstract

The underlying objective of the paper is to analyse the process of managing theoretical and practical knowledge about eco-innovations, utilising it in ECOLABNET project. A network of project partners consisting of RDI institutions, Intermediary Organisations, and universities was established to promote exchange and dissemination of knowledge on eco-innovative solutions and services among Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the countries of the Baltic Sea Region. The paper presented the principles applied in the knowledge management (KM) process within the project with a particular stress on the research conducted on the group of European SMEs form the Baltic Sea Region (BSR), first stage of ECOLABNET project implementation. The research provided much needed knowledge on the project’s beneficiaries – SMEs form the BSR region and facilitated the adjustment of the offer of the project consortium. Expert knowledge, eco-innovative products and services that have been provided by the network of partners assist SMEs in implementing and commercialising eco-innovative solutions. In this way they significantly contribute to practical application of sustainability principles by expanding the offer of project beneficiaries (SMEs) with environmentally-friendly products and services.  In addition, the author also, highlights the advantages of a combined approach including expertise in the form of theoretical knowledge being supported by prototypes of eco-innovations. Their particular role in strengthening the eco-innovative capabilities of the entire network and the overall success of the project have been detailed as well.