scholarly journals Triple bottom line extended - a bipolar approach of implementation, assessment and reporting of sustainable business models and sustainable business practices

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Göran Svensson ◽  
David Eriksson ◽  
Carmen Padin
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Triple Bottom Line ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Sustainable Business Models ◽  
Implementation Assessment

Sustainable Business Models Implementation in Industry

2021 ◽  
pp. 237-261
Author(s):  
Suhaila Abdalla Merghani
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Triple Bottom Line ◽  
Common Language ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Stakeholder Interests ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Sustainable Business Models ◽  
Business Functions

To achieve sustainability, organizations need to mutate their entire business logic and strive to balance the so-called triple bottom line, which is economic, environmental, and social values. Sustainable business models (SBMs) combine a triple bottom line approach and take into consideration a wide range of stakeholder interests, including environment and society. However, integrating sustainability into organizations' business functions proved to be a challenging process for practitioners. Sustainable business model archetypes were introduced to depict groupings of mechanisms and solutions that may accelerate building up SBMs, which assisted in developing a common language that can be used to expedite the development of SBMs in research and practice. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the literature and analyze the practices, strategies, and challenges faced by businesses from different industrial sectors that introduced sustainability to their business models.

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.

Relationships among triple bottom line elements

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sitalakshmi Venkatraman ◽  
Raveendranath Ravi Nayak
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Study ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Triple Bottom Line ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Outcome

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to gain more insight of the nature and strength of relationships among the three triple bottom line (TBL) outcomes, namely corporate environmental performance outcome (CEPO), corporate social performance outcome (CSPO) and corporate financial performance outcome (CFPO) and to evolve a roadmap for integrating sustainable business practices that facilitates in managing and improving their sustainable performance. Literature reports that currently businesses try to achieve economic, social and ecological goals independently resulting in silos. The interrelationships of TBL elements have not been explored and integrated. The literature has already pointed out that to achieve corporate sustainability, managers need to integrate TBL goals in all their business decisions. However, the question remains – how to integrate these three competing goals and this paper attempts to answer this question. Design/methodology/approach – In the research design, the authors use a quantitative research methodology with data collected by means of a survey questionnaire that included both descriptive and exploratory flavour. The empirical study examines the relationships of TBL elements as perceived by 85 different Australian-based large, medium, as well as small business organisations. The data collected were analysed by performing factor analysis on 21 items resulting in three latent factors that were aligned to TBL outcomes and the correlations among them were analysed to assess their interrelationships. Findings – The results of the study report weak, positive relationships existing between the TBL. This result has useful implications well-supported by the qualitative feedback. The paper argues that Australian managers do not see any strategic advantage in pursuing “beyond compliance” sustainable business practices, as they perceive no added value to their organisations’ financial performance outcomes. Integrating economic, social and ecological performances is seen as an additional management burden. Originality/value – While most of the TBL studies conducted worldwide focus on predominantly assessing large organisations toward responsible and sustainable business practices, this paper considers large, medium as well as small businesses. Also, economic, social and environmental issues are explored by organisations individually, while this study investigates their inter-connections. Through the empirical study, this paper provides recommendations and proposes a four-step roadmap with the participation of quality circles that would facilitate the integration of the social responsibility and environment protection practices into the core business operations paving way towards achieving corporate sustainability.

scholarly journals A triple bottom line construct and reasons for implementing sustainable business practices in companies and their business networks

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils M. Høgevold ◽  
Göran Svensson ◽  
H.B. Klopper ◽  
Beverly Wagner ◽  
Juan Carlos Sosa Valera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Triple Bottom Line ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Business Networks ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Sustainable Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
A Company

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to test a Triple Bottom Line (TBL)-construct as well as to describe the TBL-reasons for implementing sustainable business practices in companies and their business networks. This study explores how linking these seemingly disparate pillars of sustainability may be facilitated through a TBL construct. The notion of sustainable business practices has been evolving and is increasingly understood to encompass considerations of economic viability, as well as environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Design/methodology/approach – The research is quantitative in nature, exploring and analysing how companies in different Norwegian industries implement and manage sustainable business practices based on TBL. The survey results are reported here. Findings – The relevance of TBL to different aspects of sustainable business practices is outlined. The study generally supports the view that a heightened propensity for sustainable business practices ensures that organisations are better equipped for meeting the challenge of integrating TBL in companies and their business networks. Research limitations/implications – The study tested a construct of TBL in the context of sustainable business practices. It may be incorporated in further research in relation to other constructs. Suggestions for further research are proposed. Practical implications – Useful for practitioners to get insights into TBL-reasons for implementing business-sustainable practices in companies and their business networks. It may also be valuable to assess the general status of business-sustainable practices in a company and their business networks. Originality/value – Linking two traditionally separate and encapsulated areas of research, namely, the area of business sustainable practices and the area of TBL. The current study has contributed to a TBL-construct in relation to other constructs in measurement and structural models. It has also contributed to provide insights of priority into the main reasons to implement the elements of TBL within companies and their business networks.

Validating a triple bottom line construct and reasons for implementing sustainable business practices in companies and their business networks

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 849-865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Padin ◽  
Carlos Ferro ◽  
Beverly Wagner ◽  
Juan Carlos Sosa Valera ◽  
Nils M. Høgevold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Triple Bottom Line ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Business Networks ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Sustainability ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to validate a triple bottom line (TBL) construct, as well as to describe the TBL reasons for implementing sustainable business practices in companies and their business networks. Design/methodology/approach This study reports on the validation of a TBL construct, in a Spanish context, of a study originally conducted in Norway. In this validation study, 230 companies were selected for participation. A total of 89 usable questionnaires were returned, generating a response rate of 38.5 per cent. Findings The empirical findings indicate major similarities and minor differences between organizations in Spain and Norway across two studies. By extension, the empirical findings appear to be valid and reliable across contexts and through time. Research limitations/implications This study explains the structural properties of the main reasons for business sustainability (economic, social and environmental) and business sustainability efforts in companies and the supply chains or business networks. Practical implications Business sustainability efforts need to be assessed in a systematic manner, and the validated TBL construct offers a foundation for doing this, though it needs to be complemented with other elements and details in connection with business sustainability. Originality/value Business sustainability efforts have been evolving over time and are increasingly seen to consider economic viability, as well as environmental sustainability and social responsibility. This study deals with how these elements of TBL are interrelated with respect to business sustainability.

A “fivefold bottom line” approach of implementing and reporting corporate efforts in sustainable business practices

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria A.O. Dos Santos ◽  
Göran Svensson ◽  
Carmen Padin
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Triple Bottom Line ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Press Releases ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Retail Chain ◽  
Western Perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a “fivefold bottom line” approach in implementing and reporting corporate efforts of sustainable business practices. Design/methodology/approach – This viewpoint from industry is based on the content analysis of the South African retail chain Woolworths. The data are gathered and derived from the company's comprehensive annual and sustainability reports from 2008 to 2011 and the company's press releases for this period focusing on their efforts of implementing and reporting sustainable business practices. Findings – A lesson learned from the presented “fivefold bottom line” approach to implement and report their corporate efforts of sustainable business practices is that it is adapted to fit and make sense in a specific market and society. The triple bottom line approach is usually derived from, or commonly based upon, a western perspective on the market and society in literature. Research limitations/implications – The authors argues that insights from industry of implementing and reporting sustainable business practices based upon different corporate “bottom line” approaches are required in literature. Practical implications – The authors propose that the “triple bottom line” approach may need to be commonly adapted to the country and cultural context in focus, which is not normally done, but templates are used. Originality/value – Triple bottom line reporting tends to follow common approaches how it is done. There is rarely seen adapted or modified “bottom line” approaches to specific market and societal characteristics in literature.

Sustainable business models

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils M. Høgevold ◽  
Göran Svensson ◽  
Beverly Wagner ◽  
Daniel J. Petzer ◽  
H.B. Klopper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Social Boundaries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Challenges ◽  
Environmental Actions ◽  
Sustainable Business Models

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe: corporate reasons for, and organizational challenges of sustainable business models; and the evolution of economic effects, social boundaries and environmental actions in sustainable business practices. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on insights gained from eight Norwegian companies in different industries. Purposeful sampling was employed to ensure that the companies had sustainable business models beyond the level of mere compliance, of sustainable business practices in the marketplace and society. A deductive approach to data collection ensured that the companies had sufficient understanding to relate their sustainable business practices to interviewers. The interviews were subsequently transcribed and analyzed systematically by the research team. Findings – The empirical findings indicate evolutionary changes as companies move on a continuum from superficial to embedded sustainable business models and the application of sustainable business practices. The planning, implementation and evaluation of sustainable business models evolves over time within companies and their supply chains, as well as in the marketplace and society. Research limitations/implications – A limitation of this study is that it is exclusively undertaken in Norwegian companies, although the companies are from different industries with different characteristics. Future research is clearly necessary and will be conducted in other countries in similar industries, so as to explore the empirical findings from this study in other contexts. In addition, the interfaces between environmental actions, economic effects and social boundaries need to be investigated further. Originality/value – The study contributes to a growing body of knowledge on corporate reasons for and organizational challenges of sustainable business models, as well as environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainable business practices.

scholarly journals Reconciling Business Cents With Business Sense: An In-Depth Analysis Of Corporate Social Responsibility Policies On Corporate Dynamics And Organizational Stakeholders

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 165
Author(s):  
Madeline Marco Scanlon
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Organizational Commitment ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Sustainable Business Models ◽  
Corporate Social

The idea of corporate social responsibility, CSR, has evolved into more than a companys philanthropic pursuits; it has become a meaningful tool to engender organizational goodwill from stakeholders, as well as solidify market share. When implemented correctly, CSR policies align organizational altruistic intentions with strategic planning to better serve society and the bottom line. When implemented incorrectly, CSR policies foster negative connotations with corporate incentives. An effective CSR policy integrates the consumers desire for sustainable business models with the organizations desire to maximize efficiency and return. Based on a myriad of factors, CSR policies also have peripheral advantages that can be explored to determine employee perception, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and consumer advantage.

The Impact of Climate Change on Global Entrepreneurial Activities

2021 ◽  
pp. 446-462
Author(s):  
Mkhothi Tshabalala ◽  
Andrisha Beharry Ramraj ◽  
Jayrusha Ramasamy-Gurayah
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Triple Bottom Line ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Business Sustainability ◽  
The World ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities ◽  
The Impact

In this era of climate change, there has been urgent calls for entrepreneurs to adopt sustainable business practices. Entrepreneurs need to seek to increase their production efficiency. Entrepreneurs have looked at sustainability as a solution to improve value for society, the environment, and financial gains for their businesses. Businesses around the globe are embracing entrepreneurial business sustainability with the aim of increasing their triple bottom line. Climate change has challenged not only governments across the world but also businesses. Businesses around the globe are embracing entrepreneurial business sustainability with the aim of increasing their triple bottom line. Climate change has challenged not only governments across the world but also businesses, and as a result, efforts have been made by various stakeholders such as the United Nations to assist countries in mitigating the consequences of climate change on economic, social, and ecological dimensions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document