In response to escalating environmental concerns and the imperative for sustainable development, corporations have turned to eco‐innovation (EI) to enhance competitiveness and reduce ecological footprints. This study scrutinizes 17 European Commission EI‐awarded companies from 1990 to 2021, uncovering pivotal dimensions and archetypes that drive successful EI implementation. Internal drivers, including management commitment and agile work structures, are paramount for “Believers” who champion sustainability as a core value. “Sellers” strategically respond to market demands, while “Beneficiaries” follow regulatory mandates. The academic implications are profound, providing a robust foundation for future research. This typology contributes to the discourse surrounding EI development and diffusion while offering corporate managers tangible guidance for tailored EI strategies. It illuminates how distinct motives lead to nuanced combinations of internal and external drivers. This empirical study fills a critical research gap, providing best‐practice insights for companies seeking to integrate EI effectively.

中文翻译：

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信仰者、卖家和受益者聚集在一起的地方：生态创新者的类型

为了应对不断升级的环境问题和可持续发展的迫切需要，企业纷纷转向生态创新（EI）来提高竞争力并减少生态足迹。本研究对 1990 年至 2021 年间 17 家获得欧盟委员会 EI 的公司进行了仔细研究，揭示了推动 EI 成功实施的关键维度和原型。内部驱动因素，包括管理承诺和敏捷的工作结构，对于拥护可持续发展作为核心价值的“信徒”来说至关重要。 “卖方”战略性地响应市场需求，而“受益人”则遵循监管要求。其学术意义深远，为未来的研究奠定了坚实的基础。这种类型有助于围绕EI发展和传播的讨论，同时为企业管理者提供量身定制的EI战略的切实指导。它阐明了不同的动机如何导致内部和外部驱动因素的微妙组合。这项实证研究填补了一项关键的研究空白，为寻求有效整合 EI 的公司提供了最佳实践见解。