Diffusion of cleaner production in a developing country: The case of Sri Lanka

For developing countries, cleaner production plays a significant role in transitioning corporates, governments, and societies' alignment with sustainable development goals. However, studies of cleaner production in developing countries provide a narrow view on scope, content, sectors and actors without describing the dynamic trajectory of their evolutionary process. A broader understanding of cleaner production diffusion is vital in not only contributing to the policy-level developments but also facilitating wider and strategic adoption by firms. Therefore, this study was conducted to provide an in-depth analysis of how and why cleaner production, as a managerial technology, is diffused in developing countries by focusing on the context of Sri Lanka. Using a case study approach, data was collected from multiple sources in the Sri Lankan cleaner production industry. The data were analyzed by considering the demand-pull and supply-push factors through the diffusion theory of innovation lenses. The findings indicate that Sri Lanka is witnessing hierarchical diffusion; cleaner production is being trickled down from highly polluting industries and export-oriented sectors to other peripheral sectors due to various factors, including efficient choices, forced selection, and fashion. The supply-side propagators have played a crucial role in popularizing and advocating for cleaner production to accelerate the diffusion process. While the proactive firms have elevated their practices to organization-wide sustainable development strategies, the reactive users practice cleaner production only as an isolated and ad-hoc exercise. This paper contributes as a general reference for policy-level developments and interventions for various stakeholder groups to promote cleaner production in developing countries.

Automated summary

For developing countries, cleaner production is crucial for aligning with sustainable development goals. This study focuses on how cleaner production is diffused in developing countries, using Sri Lanka as a case study. The findings show hierarchical diffusion of cleaner production in Sri Lanka, with supply-side propagators playing a key role in popularizing and advocating for its adoption.