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Sustainable innovation has gained prominence in recent years, due to the demands imposed by global competition, social pressures and the needs of consumers and the environment. Decision-making processes about sustainable innovation are complex and often require auxiliary instruments to reduce uncertainties. Multicriteria decision aid (MCDA) methods can be a useful tool to make these kinds of decisions more assertive. This article presents the main discussions and theoretical approaches through bibliometrics on the application of MCDA methods in the context of sustainable innovations. We used the R package Bibliometrix library to organize the data of the publications and perform the processing for the generated analyzes. The bibliometric analysis provided an overview about the use of MCDA in sustainable innovations (MIS) and it presents citation analysis; identification of central authors through co-citation analysis; main topics, conceptual structure and thematic evolution of the literature by co-word analysis. As main results, we identified the main trends in MIS: there has been a substantial increase in publications on this theme, and the most explored focuses are “product development, production and distribution” and “environmental or social impact assessment” and there is an opportunity to further explore the focuses of “evaluation or selection of projects, suppliers or resources”, “product life cycle management or assessment” and “definition of decision criteria and standards for sustainable innovation performance”. In addition, several MCDA tools have been successfully used for studies of sustainable innovations, demonstrating that there is no preferable method to use for a given focus.

The term ‘innovation capability’ has been used recurrently in the innovation literature, but there is still considerable divergence about its meaning and implication to organizations. A consensus exists that, to innovate, organizations must possess innovation capability, and that the ownership of this feature is not a binary process, but rather an evolutionary level process. This evolutionary logic is analogous to the basic structure of organizational maturity models. However, the literature integrating innovation capability into a maturity perspective is still limited. Considering these premises, from a broad bibliographical research, this article presents a framework of reference to represent the entire theoretical domain of innovation capability. Its purpose is to classify the main types of models about this construct available in the reference literature. It is organized at increasing levels of complexity, so that each level creates the conceptual conditions for the construction of more comprehensive models. Similar to the main use cases for maturity models, there are three basic levels for the framework: descriptive; comparative; and, finally, prescriptive models of innovation capability. Considering this cumulative framework, the authors argue that, to be fully understood, innovation capability should be studied using the perspective of maturity models.

Esse artigo apresenta a concepção, o processo de desenvolvimento e os resultados operacionais iniciais do projeto de um sistema energeticamente eficiente e de baixo custo para o tratamento natural de efluentes domésticos. O objetivo do projeto era o de desenvolver um sistema para o tratamento, reuso e a reciclagem da água consumida em um típico domicílio brasileiro, que usa os próprios micro-organismos encontrados nos efluentes no processo, sem demanda de aditivos químicos. O sistema é projetado para funcionar com baixo custo operacional, de manutenção e de consumo energético. Como método, foi empregada uma versão simplificada da proposição de Ulrich e Eppinger (2015) para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos, avançando até a fase de testes e refinamentos. Iniciado em 2015, o projeto atualmente já concluiu as primeiras etapas do desenvolvimento, possuindo um protótipo funcional capaz de tratar cerca de quatro mil litros de efluentes por dia, com resultados promissores comprovados por meio de análises laboratoriais. Como resultados, tanto o desempenho individual de cada módulo, assim como também o desempenho global do sistema, são apresentados e discutidos à luz do planejamento e das especificações iniciais. O artigo é concluído argumentando-se que o sistema é promissor, constituindo-se numa efetiva prova de conceito para o projeto.

Highlights: The prevalence of Research and Development (R&D) as an inducing factor for innovation has been questioned, and studies show that low-tech companies are able to innovate. Innovation capability is essential to increase productivity and improve competitiveness. However, when formal R&D is considered as the main parameter in its evaluation, it tends to underestimate it. The extent and heterogeneity of studies on innovation in non-R&D practitioners is a relevant problem and, despite theoretical and empirical advances, it is not satisfactorily resolved yet. Goal: This article presents a reference model for innovation capability maturity in low-technology, non-R&D performing companies, oriented to guide decision makers and the institutions supporting these organizations. Design / Methodology / Approach: The method used to construct the model is based on the proposition of Ahlemann and Gastl (2007) for the construction of reference models based on empirical evidence. Results: The model is based on ten organizational dimensions and their effects on the organization's performance. Five maturity levels are defined, synthesizing the fundamental characteristics of innovation capability in non-R&D practitioners or low technology companies. Limitations of the investigation: Although the model has been tested and validated, more applications and tests may still be required. Practical implications: The model is an important tool for decision-making, at the management level, in low-tech companies that aspire to broaden their innovation capability. Originality / Value: The model has significant potential academic repercussions, in terms of the expansion of knowledge, as well as for the industry, since it can contribute to the increase of the competitive performance of companies.

Goal: This article presents an analysis of the validity and reliability of the assessment instrument used in the 2016–2017 Brazilian Innovation Award. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study used multivariate analysis techniques on the data from 2,651 companies. Two hypotheses were tested. The first (H1), related to reliability, used Pearson’s Correlation and Cronbach’s alpha. The second hypothesis (H2), related to validity, used Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: The instrument is reliable and valid and is an important mechanism for the assessment of the maturity of innovation management. Limitations of the investigation: One of the constructs can still be improved in future studies and applications, although it has demonstrated acceptable levels of reliability and validity. Practical implications: The combined use of the constructs “organizational dimensions” and “innovation outcomes” proved to be an accurate conceptual model for assessing the maturity level of innovation management in organizations. Originality/Value: The instrument is a robust diagnostic instrument and, with appropriate adaptations, it can be replicated and used in other contexts and countries, providing international comparative studies.