Multiple Management Systems in pursue of Eco-Product Innovation: The role of slack resources

Purpose – The aim of this article is to analyze the moderating effect of slack resources in the relationship between the adoption of multiple management systems (MSs) on eco-product innovation (EPI). Methodology – Quality, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety MSs certifications were analyzed. Gathering data from the Eikon Database, a longitudinal analysis of 2,859 European and Asian firms was performed including years 2006 – 2020. Findings – Results suggest that environmental MSs act as the main driver of EPI. Moreover, slack resources’ effect on EPI is found to be moderated by that of MSs. More specifically, slack resources strengthen the impact of multiple certifications that include EMSs in combination with other MSs. Nonetheless, if environmental MSs are adopted alone, EPI decreases as slack resources increase. Research implications and limitations – The adoption of single or multiple MSs does not assure a better performance in terms of EPI. Nonetheless, environmental MSs seem to be key drivers to promote EPI but at the same time they might hinder it in firms with large slack resources. Further research is needed to disentangle the existing trade-offs to this end, including other variables that are not considered in depth in this study such specific stakeholders’ engagement (clients, community, suppliers, among others). Originality – This is one of the first articles to analyze simultaneously the quality, environmental and occupational health & safety MSs on EPI, also including the moderating role of slack resources. Moreover, considering a wide time spam and including companies from different backgrounds provides insightful findings within this field.