RESEARCH on sustainability innovation

- "sustainability is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". (Bettina Von Stamm 2008:281) It goes beyond environmental concerns or developing products that use less energy and can be easily recycled. It is about developing them in a way that will not deprive future generations. (Bettina Von Stamm 2008:281)

- Sustainability has entered the scene of a broader idea of performance for the economy, individuals, and organisations. (Soderbaum 2008:1)

- In terms of design, sustainability takes holistic approach and includes issues such as reducing, recycling, refusing at all levels, applying energy efficiency, using materials wisely and making a complete assessment of site conditions. (Borja de Mozota 2003:31)

- According to Porter and Van der Linde (1995) properly designed environmental standards can enhance innovations that can lower the total cost of a product or improve its value. Such innovations allow companies to use a range of inputs more productively, therefore balancing the cost of improving environmental impact. (Bruce and Bessant 2002:256)

- Sustainability and innovation does not come along, they appear through a change. However change is often difficult to implement because of the heritage of resources and organisational culture. (Johnson et al 2008:6)

- Mintzberg et al (1998) argue that any change, including a change towards sustainability can be ignored, resisted, responded to and created. (Bessant 2003:48) It is not easy to bring change in so that it will receive the acceptance of those affected. (p. 48)

- According to Harding (2008) sustainability is increasing interest in a new type of activity. However, traditional views of sustainable fashion focus more on choice and origin of materials. A more complete, creative and innovative view of sustainable fashion embraces both these materials-based or technical innovations and social change. It is only in innovating to develop different solutions that the industry will start to experience more sustainable change. It will only succeed if consumers, producers, retailers, designers, community groups and international corporations connect together and jointly recognize their influence in promoting change. (Innovations Report, 2008)