FOCISS a strategy tool for sustainable innovation 1

Focusing Innovation Strategyfor Sustainability

a practice based approach for SME’s

Jan Venselaar(FOCISS approach is in part based on the ‘DOSIT method’

developed jointly by TNO, HAN and Avans/Tertso)

FOCISS a strategy tool for sustainable innovation 2

obstacles• sustainability is a complex concept covering

many issues• there is no clear relevance for and connection

with the own core business and activities• long term developments are uncertainso risks and opportunities are vague

present decisions for innovations and changes are based on short term profitlacking longer term focus

FOCISS a strategy tool for sustainable innovation 3

what a company needs

clear understanding what sustainability really iswith focus on: its own role and interests a limited number of key issues and the most

sensible innovations fitting thoseto be able to formulate a practical strategy for the future give clear priorities for present actionsand commitment through the whole company

FOCISS a strategy tool for sustainable innovation 4

Fociss approachEssential characteristics not time consuming, not ‘complete’ the first way

round first sustainability issues and then innovation

options involvement of all departments of the company using the available inside expertise, own

information and insights based on own ambitions and decisions clear ‘system approach’ not just production level

FOCISS a strategy tool for sustainable innovation 5

understanding role and interestSustainable A society and thus an economy that can be sustained

i.e.: on the long term maintained on a level that is, in principle, enjoyable for every person in this world

Sustainability is a ‘system characteristic’ : the economic systems which exist to fulfil our needs will change technologically and organisationally

Which developments will occur because of that and how will they influence ‘your’ business operations?

FOCISS a strategy tool for sustainable innovation 6

adapting at different levels

1

23

FOCISS a strategy tool for sustainable innovation 7

business strategy sustainable business

focus by stepwise zooming in

role and interest

areas of concern

society and economy sustainable system transitions

1

selecting key issues

optimal approachoperational activities and products

innovations

2

FOCISS a strategy tool for sustainable innovation 8

stepwise approach to focus on priorities inventory of the position of the company and the

‘common’ issues in this industry: ‘sustainability mirror’ inventory of information and views through interviews

with key personnelusing a ‘matrix’ for total coverage of issues

weighing of personal views by ‘forced rating’ workshops to exchange information and views, discuss

options and determine priorities(3 times: sectors, issues and innovations)

Fociss: practical set-up

FOCISS a strategy tool for sustainable innovation 9

‘Fociss inventory-matrix’

critical assessment of each area

with relevant issues involved

production chain and product life cycle sustainability aspects

storage and transport

production Steps

Prosperity (Profit) value for company, society and other stakeholders

People socio-cultural, personnel

Planet environment, resources, ecology

discarding, recycling

product use and m

aintenance

transport and storage

intermediate products

resource extraction

criteria:- can it affect the business- short or long term- strategic and economic effect- effect on sustainability

FOCISS a strategy tool for sustainable innovation 10

results

• done for 16 companies in various sectors (electronics, equipment, building, chemistry and food)

• 11 in chemistry and food processing• most till issue level

and only first inventory of possible innovationsbecause• most found priority setting on issue level sufficientpossibly due to • real awareness of possible impact on innovation

strategy and the consequences of it• at first just sympathetic for sustainable development

it grew into real concern

FOCISS a strategy tool for sustainable innovation 11

impact determines commitment

socio- economic systems

chain

production

syst

em le

vel

impact and complexity / number of interconnected changes needed

REACH

biomass as

resource

environmental measures

renewableenergysources

biotechnology

energyefficientproducts

energyefficientprocesses

market opportunities

societal future needs

process and application innovation

novel processes

newmaterials