An exploration of the adoption of eco-innovations in the automotive industry: A closer look at ABC Motors in South Africa

Abstract

In the research report provided, the researcher seeks to understand the importance of eco-innovation in the automotive industry as well as explore the different eco-innovations adopted by ABC Motors in South Africa and the impact thereof. With the automotive industry posing a tremendous negative effect on the environment, it is crucial to generate knowledge surrounding the topic researched. This is a qualitative study with the aim to gain an in-depth understanding of the opinions regarding the adoption of eco-innovations from the employees at ABC Motors in South Africa. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted in order to gather data from the participants to obtain a logical understanding of the different points of view. A qualitative data analysis software, QDA Miner Lite, was used to analyse each transcription where it was indicated by all the participants that the adoption of ecoinnovation has not only presented ABC Motors with a competitive advantage and opened doors to new markets, but also decreased the environmental impact that they have. Further, participants indicated that eco-innovations have an impact on the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the company with an efficient human resource base as well as operational cost savings. Overall, a better understanding was gained as to why eco-innovations play a significant role in the future of automotive companies.