| Abstract: | This article investigates ecological problems and their influence on competitiveness in two selected Swiss industries: food and transportation. Ecological problems defined at a bio-physical level and the ecological stakes defined at a socio-economic level will be analysed. The ‘matrix of ecological problems’ and the ‘matrix of ecological stakes’ are useful and powerful instruments for analysing these two levels. It will be shown that ecological problems and ecological stakes vary from industry to industry. Ecological problems lead to ecological stakes. The ecological stakes lead to ecological changes within the two industries. The central forces of competition are influenced due to ecological issues. In order to be prepared for these changes, companies have to develop strategies which meet both economic and ecological requirements. Examples for such strategies are given in the text. |
