Sustainable business models to create sustainable competitive advantages: strategic approach to overcoming COVID-19 crisis and improve financial performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Mattera ◽  
Carmen Alba Ruiz-Morales ◽  
Luana Gava ◽  
Federico Soto
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Share Price ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Reporting Scheme ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Strategies ◽  
Sustainable Business Models

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the implementation of sustainable business models contributes to improving a firm’s performance during a global crisis, such as the one caused by COVID-19. Based on the triple bottom line theory, the paper explores the relation between the creation of value through solid corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies, United Nations (UN) Global Compact’s (GC) business model proposals and Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) reporting scheme. Design/methodology/approach The present paper studies companies within the European Union, focusing specifically on the long-term impact of using the world’s most widely used standards for sustainability reporting – the GRI’s standards and/or the UNGC management models, as well as on the firm’s performance based on the financial results during COVID-19 crisis. To achieve this goal, the study analyses the share price of firms publicly listed in the FTSEMIB (benchmark index of Italy’s largest trading platform) out of those companies that are implementing the UN and GRI’s tools. Findings Findings show how a commitment to sustainable business models and long-term CSR strategies can contribute to firm’s ability to overcome periods of economic crisis. Furthermore, implementing GRI standards and UNGC guidelines within the business model seems to have a positive impact in overcoming a hard context such as COVID-19. In addition, it contributes to a better understanding of stakeholders’ needs, consumer profiling and value creation. Originality/value This study evaluates firms’ business models, considering the effects of decisions made in the context of COVID-19. The role of UNGC and GRI is evaluated in terms of their contribution to firms’ financial performance and corporate reputation during a context of hardship. Consequently, this study contributes to academia and practice, adding value in areas related to strategic planning and business model design.

Intertwining CSR with strategy – the way ahead

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shital Jhunjhunwala
Keyword(s):  
Business Strategy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Corporate Strategy ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Business Models ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the importance and means of making corporate social responsibility (CSR) an integral part of corporate strategy with the help of case studies. Design/methodology/approach – The article explores the transformation of business from being egocentric to socially responsible. With the use of examples it demonstrates how integrating CSR into strategy can create sustainable business models. Findings – Firms need to develop a framework for integrating CSR into their business strategy for long term successful survival. Social implications – Corporates and society are intertwined and mutually dependent. Business cannot survive without society's acquiescence nor succeed without its active support. Originality/value – The article explains the benefits of CSR and how to make it an integral part of business strategy to gain a competitive advantage.

How smart technologies can support sustainable business models: insights from an air navigation service provider

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 1715-1736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Fiorentino ◽  
Francesco Grimaldi ◽  
Rita Lamboglia ◽  
Alessandro Merendino
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Service Provider ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Business Models ◽  
Navigation Service ◽  
Smart Technologies

PurposeAlthough research on smart technologies explains their critical importance in sustainable business models (SBMs) (Mikalef et al., 2017), it remains unclear how organisations can embrace smart technologies to create and/or improve their sustainable business models. The purpose of this paper is to unravel and address the challenges of smart technologies to build and maintain a sustainable business model for organisations.Design/methodology/approachThe research develops an empirical analysis through a case study approach. We have investigated the case of ENAV – an Italian air navigation service provider – and how this firm uses smart technologies in the creation of its successful SBM. After constructing a basic theory, the authors moved to evidence collection. The data analysis has adopted a qualitative approach based on a thematic analysis of the transcripts and related documents.FindingsThe findings from the case study support the idea that the business value and the strategic relevance of smart technologies still remain largely underestimated in SBM adoption (Mikalef et al., 2017). Case study findings suggest that until today smart technologies have played a minimal role in SBM adoption. However, the smart technologies show the potential to inform the SBM adoption process by contributing to corporate communication for external stakeholders and to the main dimensions of SBMs such as safety and security or the respect for social and environmental criteria in the supply chain.Practical implicationsThis study seeks to support organisations and their directors to build and improve sustainable business models through smart technologies to maintain their competitive advantages. Specifically, our findings suggest that smart technologies can help organisations bridge the design–implementation gap of sustainable business models.Originality/valueThis research advances our understanding of the role of smart technologies by explaining how they can enhance sustainable business model adoption. Indeed, we offer a comprehensive view of the integration of insights from three different but related literature streams such as sustainability strategies, smart technologies and change management studies.

CEO characteristics and sustainability business model in financial technologies firms

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 1779-1799
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Sannino ◽  
Ferdinando Di Carlo ◽  
Manuela Lucchese
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Internal Governance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Leaders ◽  
Sustainable Business Models ◽  
Ceo Characteristics

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate and discover the demographic characteristics of corporate leaders (CEOs) in Fintech sector firms representing the implementation of the sustainable business model. Particularly, the purpose is to identify a benchmark profile of CEOs and to understand which are the main features (e.g. age, tenure, education specification, education level, gender, nationality, years of entrepreneurship, years in financial functions, years in IT functions), giving more opportunity to develop and maintain sustainable business models using innovative platforms.Design/methodology/approachThe research questions are answered through a quali-quantitative methodology using descriptive and statistical approaches. The researchers collected a sample of 100 Fintech firms from the main Fintech firms in 2018 identified by the annual KPMG Report (2019). Thus, the research observed and tested the average level of the major CEO demographic features. Additionally, the paper explored whether these variables have a major probability to affect Fintech leading.FindingsAssuming a relevant part of Fintech firms, the main results of this paper show the relevance of several CEO demographic characteristics. Additionally, the age, the tenure and the presence of an MBA are significant elements in affecting Leading companies.Originality/valueThe paper is novel because it contributes to the literature examining the internal governance and sustainable business model, still not explored. Moreover, this study contributes to identifying the CEO demographic characteristics that foster financial institutions' transition towards sustainable business models.

scholarly journals Can digitalization favour the emergence of innovative and sustainable business models? A qualitative exploration in the automotive sector

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Acciarini ◽  
Fernando Borelli ◽  
Francesca Capo ◽  
Francesco Cappa ◽  
Chiara Sarrocco
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Business Models ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Automotive Sector ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Business Models

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the digitalization phenomenon in the development of innovative business models that are sustainability oriented. Thus, the authors aim to understand whether the presence of digitalization forces companies to create, capture and deliver value in new ways, focusing on their social impact.Design/methodology/approachThrough the analysis of a case study in the automotive sector, the authors provide evidence that both digitalization and sustainability need to be considered to adequately innovate business models. Moreover, these two dimensions are interrelated, and therefore digitalization sustains sustainability and vice versa.FindingsBy inductively investigating the evolutionary path along which companies tend to adapt their business models to digitalization and sustainability trends, the authors found that this innovative transformation needs to be as sustainable as possible in order to offer benefits to organizations, customers and society at large. Furthermore, the authors revealed that, at least in the automotive sector, companies and customers are aware of the remarkable consequences of digitalization; however, they are still uncertain regarding the actual adoption of new technologies.Originality/valueThe literature on business model innovation is quite extensive. However, the role of digitalization in developing sustainable business models to achieve a competitive advantage has been overlooked. This study suggests that, within a specific context, forging a value network of stakeholders is helpful when innovating a business model with a sustainability orientation.

Towards a conceptual framework for sustainable business models in the food and beverage industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 122 (5) ◽  
pp. 1421-1435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Dressler ◽  
Ivan Paunović
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Business Models

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically derive a typology of sustainable business models in the food & beverage (F&B) industry and explore the competitive profiling via sustainability. Design/methodology/approach Primary data were collected through an online survey for small- and medium-sized wineries (N=125). A principal component analysis (PCA) was used for inducing the F&B sustainable business model typology as an empirical basis for building a conceptual framework. Findings The analysis has identified seven strategic business models of the German wineries in regards to sustainability. Three models are at the forefront of sustainability, two are characterized by managerial focus on social opportunities and innovation and two of the identified business models are characterized by an administrative approach to social and environmental requirements and therefore rather rudimentary approaches to sustainability. Research limitations/implications Main limitations of the study are the focus on wine industry as well as on one country. Furthermore, the deployment of PCA method does not safeguard from neglecting other relevant business models. Practical implications Successful business models allow to differentiate in competitive markets in the F&B industry via sustainability. Such models need strategic ambition, positioning and realization but allow to win new clients safeguarding from market squeeze out. Social implications The research facilitates scaling up of sustainability initiatives to the benefit of the wider society. Originality/value Business model typology for sustainability has been derived mainly conceptually. The empirically based typology of sustainable business models provides a more rigorous foundation for a transition of business models toward sustainability.

Facing a global crisis - how sustainable business models helped firms overcome COVID

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Mattera ◽  
Federico Soto Gonzalez ◽  
Carmen Alba Ruiz-Morales ◽  
Luana Gava
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Stock Market ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Management Model ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Global Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Business Models

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyse how implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies following United Nations’ Global Compact (UNGC) guidelines can contribute to firm’s performance during a global crisis, such as the case of COVID-19. Based on the triple bottom line theoretical framework, this work explores the relation between the creation of value and sustainable business models with long-term strategies and strong policy commitments, and their performance in the stock market years later during a crisis. By doing so, new insights on strategic management to create value and consolidate sustainable business models are provided. Design/methodology/approach The present study analyses firms within the context of the European Union, considering the involvement of the region in achieving sustainable development. In particular, the long-term impact in the usage of the UNGC management model and the firm's sustainability performance based on the results during COVID-19 crisis. To achieve this goal, energy firms operating in Spain and subscribing to UNGC were evaluated, specifically those publicly listed in the IBEX35, benchmark index of Spain's Stock Market Interconnection System. In addition, firms were also considered regarding the strong impact within their industries not only nationally but also worldwide. Findings Findings show long-term CSR strategies and a strong commitment to sustainable development contribute to firm’s overcoming periods of economic crisis. In addition, considering the environmental impact of the firms’ actions, transition to sustainable business and widening portfolio in the case of energy firms proved to have a positive impact in overcoming a hard context such as COVID-19. The virtuous cycle can be created by honouring the social contract, yet the tools and management models shall be further tailored to ensure an effective win-win situation. Originality/value This study evaluates a company's strategic involvement in sustainability, considering the UNGC 10 principles and SDG and the effects of these strategies in the long-term. Specifically, the role of UNGC management model is evaluated in designing effective policies that can help firms better overcome a context of crisis such as COVID-19. Consequently, researchers studying business strategy can incorporate the findings in strategic planning. Practitioners can learn the implications of CSR strategic planning in the long-term. Moreover, work illustrates corporate results in sustainability matters after the first decade of the UNGC management model and the impact of a crisis context.

scholarly journals Business model transformation toward sustainability: the impact of legitimation

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 1643-1662
Author(s):  
Roberto Biloslavo ◽  
Carlo Bagnoli ◽  
Maurizio Massaro ◽  
Antonietta Cosentino
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Business Model Innovation ◽  
Innovation Theory ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Business Models ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study aims to identify the legitimacy issues raised during a sustainable business model innovation, deployed by an Italian company, which was analyzed through the lens of the legitimation theory and the business model innovation theory.Design/methodology/approachA single case study methodology is employed for empirical research. Semistructured interviews, with top and middle management, were conducted together with the analysis of several internal and external documents, to corroborate the case analysis.FindingsResults show how the potentiality of digital technologies allows the development of new sustainable business models, which, though, still need to gain legitimation to be accepted. The study findings allow drawing both on the business model innovation theory and on the legitimation theory, as they show how legitimation is a dynamic concept that involves internal as well as external stakeholders to support business model innovation.Originality/valueThe paper is novel, since it addresses the topic of sustainable business models development, showing how companies can get legitimation. The paper builds on existing theories and provides a practical example.

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.

scholarly journals Technology Resilience and the S.T.O.R.M. Factory

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Pironti ◽  
Paola Pisano ◽  
Armando Papa
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Rapid Changes ◽  
Self Tuning ◽  
Dual Perspective ◽  
Sustainable Business Models ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Operational Aspects

Opportunities opened up by the Industry 4.0 paradigm are related to the acceleration of flexible and open business planning and governance mechanisms to foster the adaptability of the value chain to the rapid changes during ongoing operations by reducing gaps and controlling efforts. The constant search for a dual perspective (short- to medium/long term) and a twofold equilibrium (micro and macro vs. internal and external) is creating new challenges for sustainable business models. The Self-Tuning Open Reengineering Model (STORM) is well suited to explain the organizational behaviours of both industrial and craftsman firms in terms of the strategic and operational aspects of the smart factory paradigm.

IBM's global CEO report 2006: business model innovation matters

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 34-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Pohle ◽  
Marc Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Business Model Innovation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Revenue Growth ◽  
Business Executives ◽  
Operating Margin ◽  
Operational Innovation ◽  
Study Participants

PurposeTo ascertain whether the choices CEOs were making about particular types of innovation and key enablers had any correlation with financial performance, IBM looked at a subset of our sample where publicly reported financial information was available.Design/methodology/approachThe findings in this report are based on in‐depth, consultative interviews on the topic of innovation with 765 CEOs, business executives and public sector leaders from around the world.FindingsFor a subset, the authors compared their financial performance to that of an industry‐accepted list of their nearest competitors (up to ten companies with similar revenue and publicly available information). Some of their competitors were CEO study participants, but most were not. By taking a five‐year view, the researchers were able to identify which companies outperformed and under‐performed the average revenue growth, operating margin growth and historical operating margins of their closest competitors.Research limitations/implicationsThroughout the analysis, IBM used these top‐half and bottom‐half groupings to look for notable financial correlations. In this report, the term outperformers refers to the study participants that are in the top 50 percent based on this competitive comparison, and under‐performers are those that fall in the bottom 50 percent.Practical implicationsThe authors report on how business leaders are seeking and finding new ways to adapt their business models to remain competitive in their current industry – or to seek growth by entering new industries.Originality/valueCompanies focusing on business model innovation have enjoyed significant operating margin growth, while those using products/services/markets and operational innovation have sustained their margins over time.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document