Mapping the sharing economy for sustainability research

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 570-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederik Plewnia ◽  
Edeltraud Guenther
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Service Market ◽  
Conceptual Foundation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Professional Managers ◽  
Sustainability Research ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
New Business

Purpose In order to guide sustainability research on the sharing economy, the purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive framework that captures the wide range of activities and business models that are considered to be part of the sharing economy. Design/methodology/approach Based on a systematic literature review and a content analysis, existing typologies are identified and analyzed for their conceptual intersections. Finally, categorizations from 43 documents are integrated into one framework. Findings Four main dimensions are identified as being used in different contexts to characterize sharing systems and were combined to form one comprehensive typology: shared good or service, market structure, market orientation, and industry sector. Originality/value The proposed typology is able to distinguish sharing activities based on their similarities and differences. Social, economic, and communicational avenues for the term “sharing” are merged into a conceptual foundation of the sharing economy. This enables researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to position their projects in the broad field of sharing. By discussing inherent tensions with regard to sustainability of the sharing economy, the offered categorizations can help to guide future research and policy intervention. Last but not least, professional managers should find valuable ideas for new business models.

Putting risk management into the corporate sustainability context

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorren Kirsty Haywood
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
South African ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Business ◽  
Sustainability Challenges

Purpose This research investigates what is driving corporate sustainability within South African organisations and to what extent these drivers intersect with risk management. This is important as new and emerging business risks are proving to be directly linked to sustainability issues having implication on long-term organisational performance. This implies that sustainability and risk should not be mutually exclusive. Design/methodology/approach By means of semi-structured interviews, sustainability managers of 11 South African organisations were engaged to gain insight relating to the immediate sustainability issues, risk landscape and the possible intersection between these issues within their organisations. Questions posed were around drivers of sustainability, risks to an organisation, changes in risks, relationship between sustainability and risk. By means of thematic analysis key issues emerging from the responses of the sustainability managers could be identified and themes determined based on similarities. This was followed by trend analysis of the frequency of responses to different sustainability and risk themes to interpret the data. Findings Results reveal that sustainability and risk management are similar in their intent purpose and output both aligned towards reducing impacts and managing uncertainty. However even though sustainability has increasingly become integral to business its value contribution and linkage with risk management differ significantly amongst organisations. This suggests that sustainability and risk management remain two distinct frameworks for managing uncertainty in business. Originality/value Research on integrating a sustainability perspective in risk management is at an early stage. To understand and respond to emerging risks, organisations need to integrate sustainability and risk management into their decision strategies – not only to minimize potential losses but also to exploit new business opportunities arising from the sustainability agenda. Future research should be directed towards advancing systematic methods for identifying and managing sustainability risks such that key sustainability challenges are firmly embedded in the risk management of the business. In this regard, organisations would be in a position to build resilience into their business models and operations.

scholarly journals Assessment of Circular Economy within Portuguese Organizations

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 2521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Fonseca ◽  
José Domingues ◽  
Maria Pereira ◽  
Florinda Martins ◽  
Dominik Zimon
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Environmental Management System ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
New Business ◽  
The Status

The move towards a new Circular Economy (CE) economic model has been advocated and supported in Portugal, however, there is limited research on this topic. To address this gap, a quantitative research based on an online survey was carried out among 99 Portuguese organizations, encompassing a wide range of sectors and sizes. The results show that CE is regarded as a strategic and relevant issue for profitability and value creation. Furthermore, the perception that it requires the adoption of new business models in addition to the classical “reduce, reuse and recycle” approach is growing. Moreover, based on the hypotheses raised, results suggest that the level of CE adoption is positively impacted by the status of the EMS (Environmental Management System) certification and the willingness to improve the environmental performance and achieve a sustainable business model. However, CE activities are still relatively modest and a friendlier context (fiscal, legal, organizational, etc.) and the stronger support from supply chain agents and consumers are required. Future research should focus on how to design and shape the transition from a linear to a CE economy and to ascertain if the positive attitude towards CE is materialized in changing the way business is done.

scholarly journals Material intelligence as a driver for value creation in IoT-enabled business ecosystems

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 857-867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esko Hakanen ◽  
Risto Rajala
Keyword(s):  
Value Creation ◽  
Steel Industry ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Supply Networks ◽  
Intelligent Materials ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Ecosystems ◽  
New Business

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify and discuss the role of intelligent materials in the emergence of new business models based on the Internet of Things (IoT). The study suggests new areas for further research to better understand the influences of material intelligence on the business models in industry-wide service ecosystems. Design/methodology/approach The study uses data from an earlier study of intelligent materials in the steel industry networks. The insights are based on 34 qualitative interviews among 15 organizations in the industry. The data are reanalyzed for this study. Findings The observations from the steel industry show how material intelligence can be harnessed for value creation in IoT-based business ecosystems. The results suggest that not all “things” connected to the IoT need to be intelligent, if information related to the things are collected, stored and shared for collaborative value creation among the actors involved in the business ecosystem. Research limitations/implications The study discusses how IoT deployments allow businesses to benefit from the velocity and variety of information associated with things and guides future research to study the ways in which value is created through IoT-enabled business models. Practical implications Rather than focusing on improving the efficiency of the supply network, the study presents new paths for competitive advantages in the new IoT ecosystems. Originality/value The study contributes to the mounting research on the IoT by identifying and discussing the critical aspects of how IoT can transform business models and supply networks within end-to-end ecosystems.

scholarly journals Sharing economy: seeing through the fog

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 996-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Trabucchi ◽  
Laurent Muzellec ◽  
Sébastien Ronteau
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Value Drivers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current State ◽  
Management Literature ◽  
The Right ◽  
New Framework

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to delineate the current state of the art of sharing economy (SE) research and practice. It provides a new framework to help managers and academics to consider this field with the right managerial and theoretical lenses. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature on the SE was conducted, resulting in the analysis of 114 articles in the management literature. This was completed by the empirical investigations of business model and industry of 32 members of three national associations promoting SE: SE UK, Ireland and Denmark. Findings Papers dealing with SE themes focus on consumers’ motivations, impact on the society, market and policy, as well as the revenue model. SE businesses can be differentiated depending on whether their assets are new or re-used and the transaction is permanent or temporary. Based on this matrix, the study reveals four archetypes of SE businesses: “on-demand renters,” “lifecycle extenders,” “seller aggregators” and “ephemeral matchmakers.” Research limitations/implications The paper outlines a significant gap between what is current focus of the academic literature and the reality of SE purposes and businesses. This provides goals for future research. Practical implications The framework and clustering of business model archetypes may help managers and entrepreneurs dealing with SE to better understand the underlying value drivers behind those business models. Originality/value There are some discrepancies between the SE themes emerging from the management literature and the business model diversity of SE companies. This research aims at helping scholars and managers to position themselves in the field.

Variance decomposition of firm performance: past, present and future

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebes Esho ◽  
Grietjie Verhoef
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Variance Decomposition ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Start Up ◽  
New Business ◽  
Corporate Business

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a review of variance decomposition studies of firm performance and the theoretical foundations that served as the antecedents and promptings for this stream of research. Known collectively as “variance decomposition literature,” these studies use variance decomposition techniques to partition firm performance into various classes of effects in a bid to unveil the relative importance of factors responsible for firm performance variance. Design/methodology/approach A review of papers published in SCOPUS and institute for scientific information indexed journals was conducted. Findings The study found that firm, industry, corporate, business group and country effects are the major effects included in most extant studies. However, of all effects, firm effects remain the dominant and most important impact on firm performance. The effects that affect firm performance are also interdependent. Practical implications Consequently, the decisions of managers in firms are still the most important element in helping the firm to navigate industry and contextual factors, especially during periods of recession. Originality/value From the review, research gaps were identified and suggestions for future research provided. There is still much to learn from variance decomposition literature in an age of new business models, unprecedented start-up firms and from developing and emerging market countries.

Reinventing the rules of engagement: three strategies for winning the information technology race

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 22-32
Author(s):  
Saul Berman ◽  
Anthony Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Executives ◽  
Business Environments ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Business Ecosystems ◽  
New Business ◽  
Public And Private Sector

Purpose – From interviews in 2013 with more than 875 CEOs of companies in a variety of industries from around the world, IBM researchers found that the majority of them rank technology as the top issue they expect will exert the strongest influence on their organizations and strategy. this paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach – This report is the third installment in an ongoing Global C-suite Study, the seventeenth such IBM study to focus on the C-suite. To compile the data for the meta study, between February and June 2013, researchers met with 4,183 top executives, representing a wide range of public and private sector enterprises in more than 20 industries and 70 countries. This report focuses on the responses of more than 875 CEOs from 67 countries who participated in the meta study. Findings – Analysis of the interviews identified three responses proactive firms have adopted to prepare for the future: embrace disruption; build shared value; and dare to be open. Research limitations/implications – Create experimentation spaces. Runaway innovation requires places and spaces where people can think, interact and experiment. The creation of these innovation spaces should be a priority. These should include: physical spaces where co-located people with different backgrounds can cross-pollinate each other’s ideas; virtual spaces where large numbers of people across different locations can focus on specific topics; and the building of business ecosystems. Business environments are beginning to evolve from markets to ecosystems. Organizations that identify new ways to serve customers holistically will define new business ecosystems and benefit the most. Practical implications – Taking action to embrace disruption: move out of bounds. Bringing together people from different industries, backgrounds, regions – and even generations – will be essential to predict and respond to new competitive threats. Expanding partnerships to deepen innovation capabilities will speed the discovery of new technologies and new business models. Originality/value – CEOs in just about every industry have learned that customers, partners and employees that collaborate can go further, faster in an era of runaway innovation. Many are pushing the boundaries on their organizations as a result – opening up to empower collaboration among individuals and moving away from command-and-control hierarchies. In just one year the number of CEOs determined to open up their organizations has increased an astounding 27 percent.

scholarly journals Assessment of Circular Economy within Portuguese Organizations

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Miguel Fonseca ◽  
José Pedro Domingues ◽  
Maria Teresa Pereira ◽  
Florinda Figueiredo Martins ◽  
Dominik Zimon
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Environmental Management System ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
New Business ◽  
The Status

The move towards a new Circular Economy (CE) economic model has been advocated and supported in Portugal, however, there is limited research on this topic. To address this gap, a quantitative research based on an online survey was carried out among 99 Portuguese organizations, encompassing a wide range of sectors and sizes. The results show that CE is regarded as a strategic and relevant issue for profitability and value creation. Furthermore, the perception that it requires the adoption of new business models in addition to the classical “reduce, reuse, and recycle” approach is growing. Moreover, based on the hypotheses raised, results suggest that the level of CE adoption is positively impacted by the status of the EMS (Environmental Management System) certification and the willingness to improve the environmental performance and achieve a sustainable business model. However, CE activities are still relatively modest and a friendlier context (fiscal, legal, organizational, etc.) and the stronger support from supply chain agents and consumers are required. Future research should focus on how to design and shape the transition from a linear to a CE economy, and to ascertain if the positive attitude towards CE is materialized in changing the way business is done.

Innovation in pandemics: a netnographic approach to the sharing economy contributions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Belezas ◽  
Ana Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Open Communication ◽  
Developed Country ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Decentralized Decision Making ◽  
Institutional Contexts ◽  
Innovation Processes

Purpose Pandemics are a serious challenge for humanity, as their social and economic impacts can be tremendous. This study aims to understand how innovation based in the sharing economy (SE) business models can contribute to overcoming the challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach Following a netnographic approach, the authors studied the computer-mediated social interactions of internet-based virtual innovation communities. Findings This study found that the SE business models contribute to overcome the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic by redistributing idle resources to lessen the impacts of confinement. This was achieved through process innovations and an innovative use of the network, which enabled fast-open and decentralized innovation processes, and quick implementation of innovations. This innovation process is based on a decentralized decision-making approach, clear rules, informal relationship among community members and open communication channels, as well as in evasive strategies to avoid facing challenges, institutional restrictions and barriers in the adoption of innovations. Research limitations/implications This study was limited to a virtual innovation community of highly specialized and educated experts and nine community projects focused on institutional contexts of a developed country. Future research should focus on the institutional contexts of less specialized communities and developing countries and study other community innovation projects in pandemics to understand the processes of fast-open, decentralized and evasive innovation and the importance of relational capabilities for innovation in digital contexts. Practical implications The findings can guide innovation managers and public policymakers in implementing effective strategies and policies to overcome pandemic challenges using SE business models. This research also provides important insights into the types and processes of innovation in organizations that create solutions to overcome social and business challenges during pandemics. In addition, this study highlights the contributions of netnographic approaches to conducting research on innovation and in pandemic periods when measures of confinement are in place. Originality/value This study uses an innovative framework to map the types of innovation and highlights two different types of innovation processes.

A systemic logic for platform business models

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 546-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia A. Fehrer ◽  
Herbert Woratschek ◽  
Roderick J. Brodie
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Value Capture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Open Networks ◽  
Business Environments ◽  
New Business ◽  
Dynamic Perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce a new business model logic, highlighting value processes in and properties of platform business models to inform business model thinking from a systemic and dynamic perspective. It challenges the idea of firms managing, influencing and controlling entire activity systems.Design/methodology/approachThe study traces the evolution of different approaches to business models and assesses theories that explain value cocreation and systemic value capture to develop a new business model logic.FindingsBusiness model thinking has evolved away from Porter’s value chain to a new logic based on open networks and platforms. This study develops a framework for understanding platform business models from a systemic perspective. Derived from service-dominant logic, this new business model logic responds to phenomena in contemporary business environments characterized by increasing connectivity and sociality among actors.Research limitations/implicationsThe framework, developed from an extensive body of business model literature, has yet to be subjected to empirical investigation. Future research may involve the exploration of business model design processes and business model innovation from a systemic perspective.Practical implicationsManagers who aim to design their business models based on the logic of platform businesses require an understanding of their organization’s collaboration potential, technological interfaces and potential to leverage network relationships. This research guides start-ups and incumbents to evaluate their platform potential.Originality/valueThis study systematically emancipates the business model logic from a firm-centered, inside-out perspective, focuses on network relationships beyond the customer–firm dyad, explains value processes beyond organizational borders and rethinks value capture from a systemic perspective.

scholarly journals Pursuing Frugal Innovation for Sustainability at the Grassroots Level

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Mokter Hossain ◽  
Jarkko Levänen ◽  
Marleen Wierenga
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Frugal Innovation ◽  
New Business ◽  
Grassroots Level ◽  
Societal Problems ◽  
New Business Models

ABSTRACT Firms are often criticized for their reluctance to embrace sustainability in their business strategies. Frugal innovation is a recent concept that represents a new way for firms to serve underserved customers in developing countries while also promoting sustainability. Based on three cases of frugal innovation at the grassroots level in India, this article demonstrates how frugal innovation presents a promising way to tackle some of today's pressing societal problems with new business models. We use a range of parameters for economic, social, and environmental sustainability to strengthen the case for frugal innovation. This article attempts to inspire scholars to consider frugal innovation further in their future research endeavors and encourage firms to integrate it into their existing business models.

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