scholarly journals The Business Case for Sustainability

2021 ◽  
pp. 103-128
Author(s):  
Caroline D. Ditlev-Simonsen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Corporate Responsibility ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Business Opportunity ◽  
Proactive Approach ◽  
Stakeholder Perspective ◽  
Sustainability Challenges ◽  
Arthur Andersen

AbstractIn this chapter, I discuss how companies address sustainability challenges. First, the chapter begins with examples of different corporate approaches to taking responsibility for sustainability. Second, I explore how companies are viewed from the stakeholder perspective, so how others outside the company view the managers’ motivations for engaging in corporate responsibility. Although most companies are still motivated by risk reduction and/or marketing in their sustainability work, this chapter will reframe the motivations into something more positive—a business opportunity. Four cases will be presented, Nike, Arthur Andersen, Volkswagen, and companies involved in the Rana Plaza tragedy, and the companies’ approaches relative to the following strategies will be discussed: reacting, defending, accommodating, and, finally, a proactive approach in which a business’s profitability is anchored in sustainability. The chapter will conclude with reflections on business models for sustainability.

scholarly journals Economic Theories and Sustainable Development

2021 ◽  
pp. 37-60
Author(s):  
Caroline D. Ditlev-Simonsen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
International Trade ◽  
Corporate Responsibility ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Environmental Challenges ◽  
Economic Theories

AbstractIn this chapter, I provide a brief introduction of some of the key economic theories, and how and to which extent they apply to sustainable development and corporate responsibility. How economics, international trade, organizations, tax, values, banks, governments, and so on work today can all be attributed to one or more of the economic theorists introduced in this chapter. Still, these theories were developed at the time when environmental challenges such as climate change and resource depletion were not pressing issues, and therefore not considered. I conclude with an overview of the key economists and philosophers who explicitly consider sustainability and corporate responsibility in their assessment of society and business. This chapter concludes with discussing new trends and theories capturing the sustainable element of business models.

scholarly journals Natural Assurance Schemes Canvas: A Framework to Develop Business Models for Nature-Based Solutions Aimed at Disaster Risk Reduction

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1291
Author(s):  
Beatriz Mayor ◽  
Pedro Zorrilla-Miras ◽  
Philippe Le Coent ◽  
Thomas Biffin ◽  
Kieran Dartée ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Critical Information ◽  
Business Cases ◽  
Floods And Droughts

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are increasingly being promoted because they can solve different pursued aims together with providing an additional array of multiple ecosystem services or co-benefits. Nevertheless, their implementation is still being curbed by several barriers, for example, a lack of examples, a lack of finance, and a lack of business cases. Therefore, there is an urgent need to facilitate the construction of business models and business cases that identify the elements required to capture value. These are necessary to catalyze investments for the implementation of NBS. This article presents a tool called a Natural Assurance Schemes (NAS) canvas and explains how it can be applied to identify business models for NBS strategies providing climate adaptation services, showing an eye-shot summary of critical information to attract funding. The framework is applied in three case studies covering different contexts, scales, and climate-related risks (floods and droughts). Finally, a reflective analysis is done, comparing the tool with other similar approaches while highlighting the differential characteristics that define the usefulness, replicability, and flexibility of the tool for the target users, namely policymakers, developers, scientists, or entrepreneurs aiming to promote and implement NAS and NBS projects.

scholarly journals Green business models in the construction sector: an analysis of outcomes and benefits

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amal Abuzeinab ◽  
Mohammed Arif ◽  
Mohd. Asim Qadri ◽  
Dennis Kulonda
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Green Business ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Green business models (GBMs) in the construction sector represent the logic of green value creation and capture. Hence, the call to examine GBMs is growing ever louder. The aim of this paper is to identify benefits of GBMs by adopting five essential elements of the GBM from the literature: green value proposition; target group; key activities; key resources (KR); and financial logic. Design/methodology/approach In all, 19 semi-structured interviews are conducted with construction sector practitioners and academics in the UK. Thematic analysis is used to obtain benefits of GBMs. Further, the interpretive ranking process (IRP) is used to examine which elements of the GBM have a dominant role in providing benefits to construction businesses. Findings The benefits are grouped into three themes: credibility/reputation benefits; financial benefits; and long-term viability benefits. The IRP model shows that the element of KR is the most important when evaluated against these three benefit themes. Practical implications Linking GBM elements and benefits will help companies in the construction sector to analyse the business case of embracing environmental sustainability. Originality/value This research is one of the few empirical academic works investigating the benefits of GBMs in the construction sector. The IRP method is a novel contribution to GBMs and construction research.

scholarly journals Sustainable Business Models of SMEs: Challenges in Yacht Tourism Sector

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinzia Battistella ◽  
Maria Cagnina ◽  
Lucia Cicero ◽  
Nadia Preghenella
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Service Industry ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Sustainable Business Models ◽  
Sustainability Challenges

Despite the high number of active small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in all sectors, current studies have barely developed investigations on the sustainability of their business models so far. The aim of this study was thus to bridge the gap between sustainable business models of SMEs in the service industry, to uncover the challenges that SMEs face when seeking business model reconfiguration toward sustainability. More specifically, the empirical investigation adopted a case study research design in the context of yacht tourism, as one business form among many within the tourism industry and thus within the broader category of the service industry. Interviews were conducted with seven European SMEs, whose business models were analyzed through the lens of the triple bottom line and sustainability challenges in their business models. The results display a varied typology of case studies, where business model components reveal diverse expressions of facing sustainability challenges. The work discusses reported findings with a cross-case comparison among detected business models and outlines a list of propositions for sustainable business models of SMEs. The paper contributes in continuing the discourse on sustainable business models, adopting the perspective of the challenges for SMEs and offers food for thought for managers of SMEs in comparing their own business with the identified business model types.

Cloud Based 3D Printing Business Modeling in the Digital Economy

2020 ◽  
pp. 116-135
Author(s):  
Norman Gwangwava ◽  
Albert U Ude ◽  
Enock Ogunmuyiwa ◽  
Richard Addo-Tenkorang
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Business Case ◽  
The Past ◽  
Business Model Canvas ◽  
Industry Standard ◽  
3D Printers

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is becoming the industry standard for manufacturing and prototyping. Although the technology is very old, it gained a huge traction in the past two decades. 3D printing favors unique once-off orders (mass customization) in contrast to mass production. This calls for innovative business models in order to realize economic gains from the technology. Increased product innovations in the global economy also contribute to wide adoption of 3D printing unlike in the old days. A transition in the manufacturing field has brought e-manufacturing and now cloud-based manufacturing. Machines, including 3D printers, in the past were not Internet-enabled but modern designs have the capability of Internet connectivity. Cloud-based 3D printing is a new model of design that has a significant impact on today's entrepreneurs. This article focuses on a business case for a cloud-based approach in consumer product niches. A cloud-based 3D printing business model (3D-Cloud) is developed based on the business model canvas, which promises major breakthroughs in e-entrepreneurship innovation. The model uses a virtual community approach to bring together technocrats, enthusiasts, and shared 3D printer facilities of common interests, whilst promoting an enterprising spirit.

Investigation of Consumer Behavior

2019 ◽  
pp. 1400-1411
Author(s):  
Sotiria Baziana ◽  
Eirini Tzimitra-Kalogianni
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Business Models ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Organic Products ◽  
Organic Wine ◽  
The City ◽  
Further Development

Evidence shows that sustainability not only helps a business case getting stronger, but also embraces a sustainability agenda which can stimulate innovation, pushing companies to rethink their operations, products and business models. In addition, during the past few years the demand for organic wine has increased and many Greek businesses have entered the market, advertising the superiority of organic wine. The main objective of this study is to portray the need for an implementation of new technologies in the distribution and supply of organic wine in the city of Xanthi. Furthermore, the investigation of consumers' attitude will constitute the basis for further development of business strategies regarding sustainability and innovation in the agri-food chain. From the quantitative and qualitative data, the statistical analysis will provide findings on consumer behavior, attitudes, new trends, and factors that affect the choice of organic wine. Finally, the current paper is indicative of the general consumer stance towards organic-products.

scholarly journals The Business Case for a Journey Planning and Ticketing App—Comparison between a Simulation Analysis and Real-World Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 4005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian Harrison ◽  
Astrid Gühnemann ◽  
Simon Shepherd
Keyword(s):  
Market Failure ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Simulation Analysis ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Realistic Potential ◽  
Potential Adopter ◽  
Targeted Marketing ◽  
Uptake Data

Successful development of “Mobility-as-a-Service” (MaaS) schemes could be transformative to our transport systems and critical for achieving sustainable cities. There are high hopes for mobile phone applications that offer both journey planning and ticketing across all the available transport modes, but these are in their infancy, with little understanding of the correct approach to business models and governance. In this study, we develop a system dynamics diffusion model that represents the uptake of such an app, based on one developed and released in West Yorkshire, UK. We perform sensitivity and uncertainty tests on user uptake and app operating profitability, and analyse these in three key areas of marketing, competition, and costs. Comparison to early uptake data is included to demonstrate accuracy of model behaviour and would suggest market failure by month 12 without stronger marketing, even if additional tickets and functions are offered. In response to this, we offer further insights on the need for direct targeted marketing to ensure mass market adoption, the importance of understanding a realistic potential adopter pool, the awareness of competing apps, and the high uncertainty that exists in this market.

Luxury fashion and sustainability: looking good together

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 55-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Campos Franco ◽  
Dildar Hussain ◽  
Rod McColl
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Sustainability Challenges ◽  
Industry Sectors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight critical sustainability challenges facing luxury fashion firms and to describe examples of best practice in responding to these challenges. Design/methodology/approach The research approach combines a detailed literature review with multiple-case examples. The paper adopts the triple bottom line framework for structuring the analysis and findings, which suggests reporting sustainability efforts in three categories of actions – social, environmental and economic. Findings Prior research suggests that luxury fashion marketing and principles of sustainability may represent contradictory philosophies. However, this paper of case examples suggests that this may no longer be the case. We identify six lessons in guiding future sustainability practices. Practical implications The findings have implications for managers operating in luxury fashion, but the findings are also pertinent to managers in other industries. Originality/value Prior research in luxury fashion has generally focused on the industry’s poor record in sustainability and how luxury and sustainability may be incompatible. In this paper, we conclude that most luxury fashion firms are aware of the need to integrate sustainability into their business models. By uncovering examples of best practice in sustainability, we demonstrate how luxury fashion firms have responded to these challenges with lessons for other industry sectors.

scholarly journals Analysing Organisational Collaboration Practices for Sustainability

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lea Fobbe
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Networks ◽  
Collaborative Partnerships ◽  
External Stakeholders ◽  
Stakeholder Perspective ◽  
Sustainability Challenges ◽  
Organisational Practice ◽  
Non Parametric

The complex sustainability challenges that society faces require organisations to engage in collaborative partnerships. Stakeholders affect, and are affected by an organisation’s sustainability activities, making it an important element when deciding with whom to collaborate. A large number of studies have focussed on collaboration for sustainability, especially on vertical and dyadic partnerships and collaborative networks, while there is limited research on overarching collaboration activities from the perspective of individual organisations (for example, the Kyosei approach), and even less that includes a stakeholder perspective. The objective of this paper is to analyse with whom individual organisations collaborate and how stakeholders affecting and being affected by sustainability efforts are considered when choosing collaboration partners. A survey was sent to a database of 5216 organisations, from which 271 responses were received. The responses were analysed using non-parametric tests. The results show that organisations are engaged in collaboration activities for sustainability, collaborating mostly with two to three external stakeholders. However, the focus on collaboration for sustainability does not extend to a point that it would lead to a change of organisational practice nor do organisations necessarily consider how stakeholders affect and are affected by their efforts when choosing their collaboration partners. An update to the Kyosei process is proposed, in order to provide guidance on how to strengthen and extend collaborative partnerships for sustainability.

scholarly journals Innovation Capability, Knowledge Management and Big Data Technology: A Maritime Business Case

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Lambrou
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Learning Technology ◽  
New Business ◽  
Resources And Capabilities ◽  
Technology Resources ◽  
New Business Models ◽  
Big Data Technology

We present an updated knowledge management approach to foster companies’ proficiency to formulate and implement their innovation strategies for new business models, services and markets, interlinked with knowledge management and learning technology resources and capabilities, in today’s highly uncertain environment. We elaborate the generic framework, also in view of a maritime business case.

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