Business Cases for Sustainability: The Role of Business Model Innovation for Corporate Sustainability

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

A considerable body of literature deals with the creation of economic value while increasing corporate environmental and social performance. Some publications even focus on the business case for sustainability which aims at increasing corporate economic value through environmental or social measures. The existence of a business case for sustainability is, however, mostly seen as an ad hoc measure, a supplement to the core business, or simply a coincidence. As a contrast, this paper argues that business model innovations may be required to support a systematic, ongoing creation of business cases for sustainability. A framework for business model innovation is proposed as a means to strategically create business cases on a regular basis as an inherent, deeply integrated element of business activities.

Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development
Volume6
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)95-119
Number of pages25
ISSN1740-8822
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 05.2012

    Research areas

  • Sustainability sciences, Management & Economics - Business case drivers, Business case for sustainability, business model for sustainability, conceptual models, Corporate Social Responsibility, corporate sustainability, CSR, Framework, Proactive environmental strategies, Radical innovation, Strategic Management, sustainability innovation, Sustainability strategies
  • Entrepreneurship