Summary In this paper we explore the role of leadership in enabling and accelerating the impact of strategic sustainability initiatives. We do this by first identifying the central integration challenges that strategic sustainability presents through an examination of the five levels of the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD). We identify the importance of relational … Continue reading Relational Leadership for Strategic Sustainability – Practices and Capabilities to Advance the Design and Assessment of Sustainable Business Models (2017)
Business Models for Sustainability – A Co-Evolutionary Analysis of Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Transformation (2016)
Summary The relevance of business models for corporate performance in general and corporate sustainability in particular has been widely acknowledged in the literature while sustainable entrepreneurship research has started to explore contributions to the sustainability transformation of markets and society. Particularities of the business models of sustainable niche market pioneers have been identified in earlier … Continue reading Business Models for Sustainability – A Co-Evolutionary Analysis of Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Transformation (2016)
Business Models for Sustainability – Origins, Present Research, and Future Avenues (2016)
Summary While a consensus appears to have evolved among many sustainability researchers and practitioners that sustainable development at the societal level is not very likely without the sustainable development of organizations, the business model as a key initiating component of corporate sustainability has only recently moved into the focus of sustainability management research. Apparently, the … Continue reading Business Models for Sustainability – Origins, Present Research, and Future Avenues (2016)
Organization & Environment Special Issue “Business Models for Sustainability – Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Transformation” (2016)
Summary Between 2013 and 2015, we compiled and co-edited an Organization & Environment (Sage) special issue on "Business Models for Sustainability". The special issue was published in March 2016 and contains the following articles: Schaltegger, S.; Hansen, E. & Lüdeke-Freund, F. (2016): Business Models for Sustainability: Origins, Present Research, and Future Avenues, Organization & Environment, … Continue reading Organization & Environment Special Issue “Business Models for Sustainability – Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Transformation” (2016)
Sustainable Business Models for Eco-Design and Innovation – The Case of Riversimple (2016)
Summary The idea that companies and (other kinds of organisation) should strive for “sustainable business models” in order to contribute to a sustainable development of the natural environment, society, and economy is becoming increasingly popular. But it is misleading. A business model per se cannot be sustainable. It is a model. And as such it … Continue reading Sustainable Business Models for Eco-Design and Innovation – The Case of Riversimple (2016)
Geschäftsmodelle für unternehmerische Nachhaltigkeit – Eckpunkte eines nachhaltigkeitsorientierten Geschäftsmodell-Managements (2016, im Erscheinen)
Summary Das Thema unternehmerische Nachhaltigkeit hat seine akademische Nische verlassen und ist zu einem prominenten Bestandteil der unternehmerischen Praxis geworden. Während es zum guten Ton gehört, sich als wettbewerbsfähig und zugleich ökologisch und sozial verantwortungsvoll zu positionieren, haben sich einige Pioniere auf den Weg gemacht, dieses Thema auf der Ebene von Geschäftsmodellen anzugehen. Der vorliegende … Continue reading Geschäftsmodelle für unternehmerische Nachhaltigkeit – Eckpunkte eines nachhaltigkeitsorientierten Geschäftsmodell-Managements (2016, im Erscheinen)
Sustainable Business Model and Supply Chain Conceptions – Towards an Integrated Perspective (2016)
Summary Supply chains and business models are of general importance for any company. Due to these concepts’ overarching and interlinking nature, they are of particular importance for companies engaging in sustainable entrepreneurship and sustainability management. These companies look over the rim of their organizations’ boundaries—motivating research and practice dealing with sustainable supply chains (SSCs) and … Continue reading Sustainable Business Model and Supply Chain Conceptions – Towards an Integrated Perspective (2016)
Sustainability-Oriented Business Model Assessment – A Conceptual Foundation (2016, in print)
Summary Whether and how “sustainable business models” effectively support sustainable development is not just a matter of design, but also of the measurability and manageability of business model effects. While the interrelations between organisations’ sustainability performance and their business models is discussed in an increasing number of academic and practice publications, appropriate management approaches for … Continue reading Sustainability-Oriented Business Model Assessment – A Conceptual Foundation (2016, in print)
Assessing the Sustainability Performance of Business Models – Usefulness and Applicability of the GRI Framework (2015)
Summary Corporate sustainability has left its academic niche and has become an integral part of today’s business world. While companies around the globe are trying to position themselves as economically competitive and at the same time as ecologically and socially sound, for example through more efficient production processes or increasing product responsibility, some pioneers are … Continue reading Assessing the Sustainability Performance of Business Models – Usefulness and Applicability of the GRI Framework (2015)
BP’s Solar Business Model – A Case Study on BP’s Solar Business Case and its Drivers (2014)
Summary British Petroleum (BP) was among the first major oil companies to commercialise solar power technologies and was also one of the largest fully integrated photovoltaics companies. Following the oil crises of the 1970s and as part of its diversification strategy, BP built up its subsidiary BP Solar, which later became a central element in … Continue reading BP’s Solar Business Model – A Case Study on BP’s Solar Business Case and its Drivers (2014)
Florian Lüdeke-Freund 