Specificities of environmental innovation dynamics in service firms: the French case

This paper analyzes the determinants of environmental innovation in service activities, as well as regulatory dimension and its influence on the environmental performance of service activities. An econometric model is built using the "Community Innovation Survey 2008" (CIS 2008). Results show that environmental innovations in services are integrated into both technological and non-technological innovations. The specificities of eco-innovation in service activities compared to manufacturing firms leads to eco-innovation the environmental benefit of which occurs during final consumption of the product rather than during the production process. If cost reduction is a main determinant for all sectors, the role of regulation differs according to the sector: strong for trade and transport, the influence of regulation is minor for the others service sectors.