Scaling bio-based innovation : turning scientific evidence into market impact for lignin-based biostimulants in France, Germany, and the Netherlands
Shaikh, Fahim (2025)
Pro gradu -tutkielma
2025
School of Business and Management, Kauppatieteet
Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe20251212118333
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe20251212118333
Tiivistelmä
Biostimulants derived from lignin are an emerging circular economic innovation, but there are considerable institutional, economic, and awareness-based barriers to their implementation in agriculture. This thesis explored the commercialization opportunities of lignin-derived biostimulants through a cross-sectional survey of 98 stakeholders in France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
The analysis yielded the following key findings: first, demonstration evidence overwhelmingly drives adoption decisions; second, there is a paradox of awareness and action, with 96.9% general awareness but only 5.1% being active promoters of lignin-derived biostimulants; third, premium pricing acceptance (to sustainably mitigate risk) is capped at 10% across most stakeholders; and lastly, working with multiple stakeholders is valued. Interestingly, social benefits are prioritized over environmental and economic benefits. Overall, all five research hypotheses were supported and provided useful, clear, and actionable recommendations for businesses and policymakers to drive sustainable agricultural solutions. Most importantly, engagement with the agricultural sector requires strong empirical evidence and reasonable pricing for successful pan-European market entry. This thesis framework challenges the conventional sustainability narrative, advances our understanding of how cognition-based legitimacy applies to biostimulants and the adoption of more sustainable solutions in agriculture, and has potential implications for how firms and policies can navigate toward sustainable solutions.
The analysis yielded the following key findings: first, demonstration evidence overwhelmingly drives adoption decisions; second, there is a paradox of awareness and action, with 96.9% general awareness but only 5.1% being active promoters of lignin-derived biostimulants; third, premium pricing acceptance (to sustainably mitigate risk) is capped at 10% across most stakeholders; and lastly, working with multiple stakeholders is valued. Interestingly, social benefits are prioritized over environmental and economic benefits. Overall, all five research hypotheses were supported and provided useful, clear, and actionable recommendations for businesses and policymakers to drive sustainable agricultural solutions. Most importantly, engagement with the agricultural sector requires strong empirical evidence and reasonable pricing for successful pan-European market entry. This thesis framework challenges the conventional sustainability narrative, advances our understanding of how cognition-based legitimacy applies to biostimulants and the adoption of more sustainable solutions in agriculture, and has potential implications for how firms and policies can navigate toward sustainable solutions.