scholarly journals The supporting role of business models in the promotion of sustainable innovations in the energy sector: an explorative study in the Italian SMEs

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-146
Author(s):  
ELEONORA ANNUNZIATA ◽  
FRANCESCO RIZZI ◽  
MARCO FREY
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Services Research ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Sustainable Innovation ◽  
Sustainable Business Models

Purpose of the paper: This paper aims to analyze how small-medium enterprises (SMEs) contribute to the development of a sustainable innovations in the energy sector such as geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) by implementing effective sustainable business models. Methodology: The study carried out an exploratory multiple case study with 8 SMEs operating in the Italian GHP market on the role of sustainable business models in supporting the development of sustainable innovations. Results: The analysis shows that sustainable business models exert a supporting function between sustainable innovation and sustainable value creation thanks to their ability to overcome the existing barriers to adopt sustainable innovations (i.e. GHP systems). This supporting role thus results from the firms’ capabilities and knowledge to assess and promote the peculiarities of selected sustainable innovation. Moreover, the analyzed business models foresee an ongoing support of customers before and after the adoption of sustainable innovation by communicating potential environmental benefits and providing additional services. Research limits: The main limitation is that the findings derive from a national case study with specific market conditions for GHPs which might influence the development of sustainable business models. Practical implications: The study supports firms aiming to develop and implement business models for boosting sustainable innovations through an effective assessment of selected sustainable innovation and dialogue with policy makers. Originality of the paper: The study opens the black box of unexplored relationships between sustainability innovations and business models by analyzing their main components (value proposition, supply chain and public institutions, customer interface and financial model).

scholarly journals Sustainable Business Model Based on Digital Twin Platform Network: The Inspiration from Haier’s Case Study in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Li ◽  
Jiarou Cao ◽  
Zhenggang Liu ◽  
Xinggang Luo
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Product Life Cycle ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Digital Twin ◽  
Home Appliance ◽  
Sustainable Business Models ◽  
Generic Strategies

Sustainability and digitalization have become the main direction of transformation of enterprises. Building a digital twin platform network can provide enterprises with a comprehensive view of products, manufacture, supply chain, customer experience, and profitability, which is conducive to the construction of a sustainable business model. The purpose of this paper is to study how enterprises use digital twin platform networks to generate economic, social and environmental benefits in various dimensions and their coupling relationships. Based on the literature review, this paper constructs a five-dimensional framework of a sustainable business model, and analyses the coupling relationship between dimensions. Using Haier as a way to verify the five-dimensional framework, it explores the dynamic mechanism of the Haier digital twin platform network, constructs an integrated framework based on coupling perspective and compares it with other two home appliance enterprises. The study shows that, through the digital twin platform network, enterprises can remove the disadvantage of focusing on a single product life cycle, and form a comprehensive network, so as to promote overall sustainable upgrades. This paper draws generic strategies and digital transformation suggestions for enterprises to innovate the sustainable business model. The conclusion enriches the research on sustainable business models both theoretically and practically and provides a feasible reference for the transformation of enterprises in digital economy environment.

scholarly journals Spreading Sustainability Innovation through the Co-Evolution of Sustainable Business Models and Partnerships

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 1190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Cantele ◽  
Sara Moggi ◽  
Bettina Campedelli
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Business Operations ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sustainable Business Models

Sustainability innovation is often not achievable by a single organisation; even if changes in business operations can lead to great advances towards a more sustainable business model (SBM), the effectiveness of these implementations largely depends on the combined actions of the organisation’s network of partners. The aim of this research is to analyse the way that SBMs and partnerships co-evolve to enhance the sustainability of the involved organisations and spread sustainability culture beyond the network. In doing so, this article presents a case study of the company Alisea as a business operating within a circular business model, along with its network of partnerships. The co-evolution of the business model and partnerships is led by enabling factors that characterise the underlying relationships. The role of cross-sector collaborations is demonstrated in terms of boosting the social and environmental dimensions of the circular business model, enhancing social and economic benefits within and outside the partnerships, and spreading sustainability culture in different sectors.

Tacit Knowledge Utilization for Global Impact and Organizational Practices

2020 ◽  
pp. 1219-1240
Author(s):  
Aleksander Janeš ◽  
Roberto Biloslavo ◽  
Armand Faganel
Keyword(s):  
Tacit Knowledge ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
World Population ◽  
Farmed Fish ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Viable Solution ◽  
Sustainable Business Models

The aquaculture sector stands at a crossroad because of the important changes in the business environment. Demand and competition for food is growing worldwide, fishery sector reached its limits and in this regard farmed fish sector represents a viable solution for food supply. A sustainable development of small business is recommended in order to develop knowledge and skills to support the growth of world population. In this view knowledge management for innovation is crucial to promote sustainable business models (BM) that can achieve a solid economic performance and at the same time take care of the natural environment. The purpose of this chapter is to contribute to the literature about sustainable BMs by an in-depth case study of a small fish farming company which developed competitiveness based on own tacit knowledge. The exemplary case study of a sustainable BM in aquaculture has been analyzed by use of an enhanced BM canvas that links various market oriented elements of a BM with the needs of society.

Public Policies and the Role of State vs. Sustainable Business Models and Corporate Sustainability

2021 ◽  
pp. 61-73
Author(s):  
Wojciech Gonet
Keyword(s):  
Public Administration ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
State Administration ◽  
The Status ◽  
Sustainable Business Models ◽  
Reducing Energy

The chapter examines the scope of public administration participation in ensuring that entrepreneurs comply with the principles of sustainable development. It was found that the activities of the state administration in this regard may consist in providing entrepreneurs with the status of applying ESG and CSR principles in their activities, then checking compliance with these principles, informing consumers about the consequences of using products and services produced by the entrepreneurs using the ESG and CSR principles. It was determined that the expectation for the application of ESG and CSR principles can also apply to public administration, which in its activity can contribute to environmental protection by reducing energy consumption in various forms, as well as improving social relations by eliminating corruption.

Promoting Entrepreneurship for Development

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiorina Mugione ◽  
Fulvia Farinelli
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Entrepreneurship Policy ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Socially Disadvantaged ◽  
Sustainable Business Models ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Policy Measures

Recognizing the role of entrepreneurship as a catalyst for development and a means to address sustainable development challenges, this chapter illustrates UNCTAD’s approach to promoting entrepreneurship from a policy perspective. It draws lessons from the implementation of UNCTAD’s Entrepreneurship Policy Framework (EPF) and reiterates the need for holistic entrepreneurship policies according to the six priority areas identified by the EPF. It also highlights how policymakers can create an enabling entrepreneurial environment which also takes into account inclusive and sustainable business models, thereby expanding opportunities for all and addressing the needs of socially disadvantaged groups. For aspiring entrepreneurs from such groups, who tend to have lower levels of entrepreneurship skills and greater difficulty in navigating the business and regulatory environment, governments need to tailor policy measures to help them manage and grow their businesses. In this way, entrepreneurship policies can contribute to the achievement of the UNGA’s 2015 sustainable development goals.

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.

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