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Leadership and Goal Setting for Sustainable Innovation Projects in Large Businesses

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Innovation for Sustainability

Abstract

This book chapter provides an overview of the key challenges and opportunities for ethical leadership and goal setting for sustainable innovation projects. The task of gathering information to reduce uncertainty during innovation processes and to wisely allocate resources is challenging. The challenges presented are enriched by illustrative quotes from cross-sectoral practice. In addition, the chapter links theory on ethical leadership to theory on sustainable innovation. This link helps to clarify how leaders might overcome challenges. Two-way communication is argued to be especially important. The chapter concludes with stating the balances that need to be considered by leaders during the pursuit of innovation for sustainability.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leuphana University Lüneburg, Centre for Sustainability Management, Lüneburg, Germany

    Ilka Weissbrod

  2. Imperial College London, Centre for Environmental Policy, London, UK

    Ilka Weissbrod

Authors
  1. Ilka Weissbrod
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Correspondence to Ilka Weissbrod .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lund University, Lund, Sweden

    Nancy Bocken

  2. Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lappeenranta, Finland

    Paavo Ritala

  3. Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lappeenranta, Finland

    Laura Albareda

  4. Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands

    Robert Verburg

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Weissbrod, I. (2019). Leadership and Goal Setting for Sustainable Innovation Projects in Large Businesses. In: Bocken, N., Ritala, P., Albareda, L., Verburg, R. (eds) Innovation for Sustainability. Palgrave Studies in Sustainable Business In Association with Future Earth. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97385-2_8

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