Business models for sustainability from a system dynamics perspective
Abstract
To achieve sustainability, a firm has to transform its entire business logic. A business model for sustainability (BMfS) aims at creating value for various stakeholders and the natural environment. This article advances the current understanding of the basic functioning of BMfS by applying a systems perspective. Our BMfS understanding incorporates the natural environment as an essential element, but does not deal with sustainability from a broad perspective. The core logic of a BMfS is built upon the creation of a reinforcing feedback loop between the created value to the customers, the value captured by the firm, and the value to the natural environment. Consequently, we develop a graphical model based on system dynamics notation. First, we conceptualize the basic feedback loops. Then, we propose partial models for the firm, natural environment, entrepreneur/manager, and customer, and then integrate these partial models within a systemic, multilevel model. Finally, we generate propositions that combine insights from the model and extant literature.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Transport-related studies have employed ML and DSS with ANN, DT, NC, FL, SVM, LR, and time series models.
“Additionally, transport-related studies have employed ML and DSS with ANN, DT, NC, FL, SVM, LR, and time series models (e.g., Ref. [173,174]).”
From Smarter eco-cities and their leading-edge artificial intelligence of things solutions for environmental sustainability: A comprehensive systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as [173]
Cites
Absorptive Capacity: A New Perspective on Learning and Innovation
Cohen, W. M., & Levinthal, D. A. (1990) · Administrative Science Quarterly · doi:10.2307/2393553 · Cited by 35,728 · see citing works
The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits
Friedman, M. (2007) · Corporate Ethics and Corporate Governance · doi:10.1007/978-3-540-70818-6_14 · Cited by 11,529 · see citing works
(2000) · University of Maribor digital library (University of Maribor) · Cited by 9,354 · see citing works
Cannibals with forks: the triple bottom line of 21st century business
(1999) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.36-3997 · Cited by 9,001 · see citing works
New Environmental Theories: Toward a Coherent Theory of Environmentally Significant Behavior
Stern, P. C. (2000) · Journal of Social Issues · doi:10.1111/0022-4537.00175 · Cited by 8,682 · see citing works
A literature and practice review to develop sustainable business model archetypes
Bocken, N. M. P., Short, S. W., Rana, P., & Evans, S. (2014) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.11.039 · Cited by 4,366 · see citing works
The Limits to Growth: A report for the Club of Rome's Project on the Predicament of Mankind
Meadows, D. H., Meadows, D. L., Randers, J., & Behrens, W. W. (1972) · doi:10.1349/ddlp.1 · Cited by 4,268 · see citing works
WHY COMPANIES GO GREEN: A MODEL OF ECOLOGICAL RESPONSIVENESS.
Bansal, P., & Roth, K. (2000) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.2307/1556363 · Cited by 4,020 · see citing works
Corporate social responsibility and access to finance
Cheng, B., Ioannou, I., & Serafeim, G. (2014) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.2131 · Cited by 3,896 · see citing works
Osterwalder, A., & Pigneur, Y. (2010) · IRIS · Cited by 2,586 · see citing works
Business models for sustainable innovation: state-of-the-art and steps towards a research agenda
Boons, F., & Lüdeke-Freund, F. (2013) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.07.007 · Cited by 2,469 · see citing works
Journal of environmental management
John Boardman, A., A, M. L. S., Edward Walker, A., & C, I. D. L. F. (1973) · Environmental Pollution (1970) · doi:10.1016/0013-9327(73)90062-1 · Cited by 2,461 · see citing works
Eight types of product–service system: Eight ways to sustainability? Experiences from SusProNet
Tukker, A. (2004) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.414 · Cited by 2,456 · see citing works
Sustainable entrepreneurship and sustainability innovation: categories and interactions
Schaltegger, S., & Wagner, M. (2010) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.682 · Cited by 2,184 · see citing works
Hart, S. L., & Milstein, M. B. (2003) · Academy of Management Perspectives · doi:10.5465/ame.2003.10025194 · Cited by 1,907 · see citing works
Sharma, S. (2000) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.2307/1556361 · Cited by 1,875 · see citing works
Business Model Evolution: In Search of Dynamic Consistency
Demil, B., & Lecocq, X. (2010) · Long Range Planning · doi:10.1016/j.lrp.2010.02.004 · Cited by 1,776 · see citing works
Conceptualizing a “Sustainability Business Model”
Stubbs, W., & Cocklin, C. (2008) · Organization & Environment · doi:10.1177/1086026608318042 · Cited by 1,468 · see citing works
Hockerts, K. N., & Wüstenhagen, R. (2009) · Journal of Business Venturing · doi:10.1016/j.jbusvent.2009.07.005 · Cited by 1,430 · see citing works
Baden‐Fuller, C. W. F., & Morgan, M. S. (2010) · Long Range Planning · doi:10.1016/j.lrp.2010.02.005 · Cited by 1,357 · see citing works
Schaltegger, S., Freund, F. L., & Hansen, E. G. (2012) · International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development · doi:10.1504/ijisd.2012.046944 · Cited by 1,268 · see citing works
Daly, H. E. (2012) · Princeton University Press eBooks · doi:10.2307/jj.40831414 · Cited by 858 · see citing works
Elster, J. (2007) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511806421 · Cited by 853 · see citing works
Applying Stakeholder Theory in Sustainability Management
Hörisch, J., Freeman, R. E., & Schaltegger, S. (2014) · Organization & Environment · doi:10.1177/1086026614535786 · Cited by 806 · see citing works
Corporate Social Performance and Attractiveness as an Employer to Different Job Seeking Populations
Albinger, H. S., & Freeman, S. J. (2000) · Journal of Business Ethics · doi:10.1023/a:1006289817941 · Cited by 798 · see citing works
A value mapping tool for sustainable business modelling
Bocken, N. M. P., Short, S. W., Rana, P., & Evans, S. (2013) · Corporate Governance · doi:10.1108/cg-06-2013-0078 · Cited by 706 · see citing works
Research on Organizations and the Natural Environment, 1992-Present: A Review
Etzion, D. (2007) · Journal of Management · doi:10.1177/0149206307302553 · Cited by 687 · see citing works
Schaltegger, S., & Synnestvedt, T. (2002) · Journal of Environmental Management · doi:10.1006/jema.2002.0555 · Cited by 607 · see citing works
Seizing the White Space: Business Model Innovation for Growth and Renewal
Johnson, M. W. (2010) · Cited by 536 · see citing works
Greenhouse Gas Emission Impacts of Carsharing in North America
Martin, E. W., & Shaheen, S. (2011) · IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems · doi:10.1109/tits.2011.2158539 · Cited by 528 · see citing works
The Sustainability Balanced Scorecard: A Systematic Review of Architectures
Hansen, E. G., & Schaltegger, S. (2014) · Journal of Business Ethics · doi:10.1007/s10551-014-2340-3 · Cited by 521 · see citing works
Maon, F., Lindgreen, A., & Swaen, V. (2010) · International Journal of Management Reviews · doi:10.1111/j.1468-2370.2009.00278.x · Cited by 495 · see citing works
Wagner, M., Phu Nguyen-van, B., Azomahou, T. T., & Wehrmeyer, W. (2002) · Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management · doi:10.1002/csr.22 · Cited by 478 · see citing works
Impact of Carsharing on Household Vehicle Holdings
Martin, E. W., Shaheen, S., & Lidicker, J. R. (2010) · Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board · doi:10.3141/2143-19 · Cited by 476 · see citing works
Harland, P., Staats, H., & Wilke, H. (2007) · Basic and Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1080/01973530701665058 · Cited by 443 · see citing works
SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION CUBE — A FRAMEWORK TO EVALUATE SUSTAINABILITY-ORIENTED INNOVATIONS
HANSEN, E. G., GROSSE-DUNKER, F., & REICHWALD, R. (2009) · International Journal of Innovation Management · doi:10.1142/s1363919609002479 · Cited by 430 · see citing works
Overcoming the Social and Psychological Barriers to Green Building
Hoffman, A. J., & Henn, R. L. (2008) · Organization & Environment · doi:10.1177/1086026608326129 · Cited by 382 · see citing works
Strategic Modelling and Business Dynamics: A Feedback Systems Approach
Morecroft, J. (2007) · London Business School Research Online (London Business School) · Cited by 379 · see citing works
Sustainable Human Resource Management
Ehnert, I. (2009) · Contributions to Management Science · doi:10.1007/978-3-7908-2188-8 · Cited by 375 · see citing works
Toward a Theory of Sustainability Management
Starik, M., & Kanashiro, P. (2013) · Organization & Environment · doi:10.1177/1086026612474958 · Cited by 372 · see citing works
Managerial Perceptions and Strategic Behavior.
Anderson, C. R., & Paine, F. T. (1975) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.2307/255380 · Cited by 371 · see citing works
George, N. M., Parida, V., Lahti, T., & Wincent, J. (2014) · International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal · doi:10.1007/s11365-014-0347-y · Cited by 367 · see citing works
The Sustainability Advantage: Seven Business Case Benefits of a Triple Bottom Line
Willard, B. (2002) · Cited by 316 · see citing works
Factor Four: Doubling Wealth, Halving Resource Use - A Report to the Club of Rome
von Weizsäcker, E. U., Lovins, A. B., & Lovins, L. H. (1997) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 315 · see citing works
Business model innovation and sources of value creation in low‐income markets
Sánchez, P., & Ricart, J. E. (2010) · European Management Review · doi:10.1057/emr.2010.16 · Cited by 312 · see citing works
Environmental Policy and Competitiveness: The Porter Hypothesis and the Composition of Capital
Xepapadeas, A., & de Zeeuw, A. J. (1999) · Journal of Environmental Economics and Management · doi:10.1006/jeem.1998.1061 · Cited by 297 · see citing works
Implementation of Sustainability Management and Company Size: A Knowledge‐Based View
Hörisch, J., Johnson, M., & Schaltegger, S. (2014) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.1844 · Cited by 295 · see citing works
Abdelkafi, N., Makhotin, S., & Posselt, T. (2013) · International Journal of Innovation Management · doi:10.1142/s1363919613400033 · Cited by 293 · see citing works
Sustaining Sustainability: Creating a Systems Science in a Fragmented Academy and Polarized World
Sterman, J. D. (2012) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-3188-6_2 · Cited by 231 · see citing works
Towards a Conceptual Framework of 'Business Models for Sustainability'
Lüdeke‐Freund, F. (2010) · Research Repository (Delft University of Technology) · doi:10.13140/rg.2.1.2565.0324 · Cited by 221 · see citing works
Design for Sustainability: A Practical Approach
Bhamra, T., & Lofthouse, V. (2012) · Lancaster EPrints (Lancaster University) · Cited by 208 · see citing works
Factor Four: Doubling Wealth—Halving Resource Use: A New Report to the Club of Rome
von Weizsäcker, E. U., Lovins, A. B., & Lovins, L. H. (2014) · SpringerBriefs on pioneers in science and practice · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-03662-5_11 · Cited by 176 · see citing works
Collaborative business modelling for systemic and sustainability innovations
Rohrbeck, R., Konnertz, L., & Knab, S. (2013) · International Journal of Technology Management · doi:10.1504/ijtm.2013.055577 · Cited by 159 · see citing works
Strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of consumer goods by influencing stakeholders
Bocken, N. M. P., & Allwood, J. M. (2012) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.05.031 · Cited by 128 · see citing works
The New Sustainability Advantage: Seven Business Case Benefits of a Triple Bottom Line
Filho, W. L. (2013) · International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education · doi:10.1108/ijshe.2013.24914daa.012 · Cited by 123 · see citing works
Competing Through Business ModelsPreprint
Casadesus‐Masanell, R., & Ricart, J. E. (2008) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.1115201 · Cited by 122 · see citing works
Understanding Environmental Cognition
Henry, A. D., & Dietz, T. M. (2012) · Organization & Environment · doi:10.1177/1086026612456538 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Managing Green Business Model Transformations
Sommer, A. (2012) · Sustainable production, life cycle engineering and management · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-28848-7 · Cited by 114 · see citing works
Business Models for Sustainability
Wells, P. (2013) · Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks · doi:10.4337/9781781001530 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Sustainability and Business in a Complex World
Porter, T. B., & Derry, R. (2012) · Business and Society Review · doi:10.1111/j.1467-8594.2012.00398.x · Cited by 99 · see citing works
The Oxford Handbook of Business and the Natural Environment
Laine, M. (2013) · Social and Environmental Accountability Journal · doi:10.1080/0969160x.2013.766423 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Hansen, E. G., & Klewitz, J. (2012) · Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship · doi:10.1080/08276331.2012.10593584 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Business models for sustainable energy
Wüstenhagen, R., & Boehnke, J. (2017) · Alexandria (UniSG) (University of St.Gallen) · doi:10.4324/9781351280204-11 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
A corporate effort towards a sustainable business model
Høgevold, N. M. (2011) · European Business Review · doi:10.1108/09555341111145771 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Seeing the Forest for the Trees: A Manager's Guide to Applying Systems Thinking
Sherwood, D. (2002) · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Looking Back, Thinking Forward: Distinguishing Between Weak and Strong Sustainability
Roome, N. J. (2011) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199584451.003.0034 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Seeing the Forest for the Trees: A Manager’s Guide to Applying Systems Thinking
(2003) · Leadership & Organization Development Journal · doi:10.1108/lodj.2003.24.2.111.4 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Research for sustainable development: Foundations, experiences, and perspectives
Wiesmann, U., & Hurni, H. (2011) · Bern Open Repository and Information System (University of Bern) · doi:10.7892/boris.6756 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Organizations and the Sustainability Mosaic: Crafting Long-Term Ecological and Societal Solutions
Husted, B. W., Sharma, S., & Starik, M. (2007) · Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks · doi:10.4337/9781847205544.00009 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Organizations and the Sustainability Mosaic
(2007) · Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks · doi:10.4337/9781847205544 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
George, G., & Bock, A. J. (2012) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511984815 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Organizing Within Dynamic Ecosystems
Boons, F. (2013) · Organization & Environment · doi:10.1177/1086026613498755 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Managing the Transition to a sustainable Enterprise. Lessons from Frontrunner Companies.
van Tulder, R. J. M., van Tilburg, R., Francken, M., & Rosa, A. (2014) · EUR Research Repository (Erasmus University Rotterdam) · doi:10.4324/9781315879956 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Why New Business Models Matter for Green Growth
(2013) · OECD Green Growth Papers · doi:10.1787/5k97gk40v3ln-en · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften aus Sicht des "Business Case of Sustainability"
Schaltegger, S., & Hasenmüller, P. (2005) · Multilingual Matters (Channel View Publications) · doi:10.48548/pubdata-3335 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Open Business Models for the Greater Good – A Case Study from the Higher Education Context
Abdelkafi, N. (2012) · Die Unternehmung · doi:10.5771/0042-059x-2012-3-299 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Business models for sustainable energy
Wüstenhagen, R., & Boehnke, J. (2013) · Greenleaf Publishing eBooks · doi:10.9774/gleaf.978-1-907643-36-1_5 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
RETHINKING BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY
Blaga, S. I. (2013) · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Creating sustainable business models: the case of the automotive industry
Wells, P. (2004) · ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) · Cited by 18 · see citing works
To Own or to Use? How Product Service Systems Facilitate Eco-Innovation BehaviorPreprint
Tietze, F., & Hansen, E. G. (2013) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.2244464 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Competing for a Sustainable World
Sharma, S. (2017) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781351285803 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Proceedings of the XXV ISPIM Conference
Huizingh, K. R. E., Conn, S. J., Torkkeli, M., & Bitran, I. (2014) · University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) · Cited by 3 · see citing works
GLS Bank: Successfully Sustainable
Schneeweiss, E. (2012) · Palgrave Macmillan UK eBooks · doi:10.1057/9780230346499_8 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
1 of the 84 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Sustainable business model innovation: A review
Geissdoerfer, M., Vladimirova, D., & Evans, S. (2018) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.06.240 · Cited by 1,642 · see citing works
Designing the Business Models for Circular Economy—Towards the Conceptual Framework
Lewandowski, M. (2016) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su8010043 · Cited by 1,619 · see citing works
A Critical Assessment of Business Model Research
Massa, L., Tucci, C. L., & Afuah, A. N. (2017) · Academy of Management Annals · doi:10.5465/annals.2014.0072 · Cited by 1,452 · see citing works
Evans, S., Vladimirova, D., Holgado, M., Van Fossen, K., Yang, M., Silva, E. A., & Barlow, C. Y. (2017) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.1939 · Cited by 1,370 · see citing works
Artificial intelligence for sustainability: Challenges, opportunities, and a research agenda
Nishant, R., Kennedy, M., & Corbett, J. (2020) · International Journal of Information Management · doi:10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102104 · Cited by 1,203 · see citing works
Bocken, N. M. P., & Geradts, T. (2019) · Long Range Planning · doi:10.1016/j.lrp.2019.101950 · Cited by 874 · see citing works
Understanding platform business models: A mixed methods study of marketplaces
Taeuscher, K., & Laudien, S. M. (2017) · European Management Journal · doi:10.1016/j.emj.2017.06.005 · Cited by 614 · see citing works
Circular economy business models: The state of research and avenues ahead
Ferasso, M., Beliaeva, T., Kraus, S., Clauss, T., & Ribeiro‐Soriano, D. (2020) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.2554 · Cited by 588 · see citing works
Bibri, S. E., Krogstie, J., Kaboli, A., & Alahi, A. (2024) · Environmental Science and Ecotechnology · doi:10.1016/j.ese.2023.100330 · Cited by 536 · see citing works
Sustainable Business Models: A Review
Nosratabadi, S., Mosavi, A. H., Shamshirband, S., Keivani, R., Zavadskas, E. K., & Rakotonirainy, A. (2019) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su11061663 · Cited by 579 · see citing works
Geissdoerfer, M., Bocken, N. M. P., & Hultink, E. J. (2016) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.07.020 · Cited by 492 · see citing works
Rating the Raters: Evaluating how ESG Rating Agencies Integrate Sustainability Principles
Escrig‐Olmedo, E., Izquierdo, M. Á. F., Ferrero‐Ferrero, I., Rivera‐Lirio, J. M., & Torres, M. J. M. (2019) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su11030915 · Cited by 486 · see citing works
Pedersen, E. R. G., Gwozdz, W., & Hvass, K. K. (2016) · Journal of Business Ethics · doi:10.1007/s10551-016-3044-7 · Cited by 421 · see citing works
Pal, R., & Gander, J. (2018) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.02.001 · Cited by 286 · see citing works
Laasch, O. (2017) · Long Range Planning · doi:10.1016/j.lrp.2017.09.002 · Cited by 288 · see citing works
Anatomy of sustainable business model innovation
Shakeel, J., Mardani, A., Chofreh, A. G., Goni, F. A., & Klemeš, J. J. (2020) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121201 · Cited by 236 · see citing works
Towards sustainable business models for electric vehicle battery second use: A critical review
Reinhardt, R. J., Christodoulou, I., Gassó, S., & García, B. A. (2019) · Journal of Environmental Management · doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.05.095 · Cited by 227 · see citing works
Innovation intermediaries accelerating environmental sustainability transitions
Gliedt, T., Hoicka, C. E., & Jackson, N. (2017) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.054 · Cited by 214 · see citing works
Dentoni, D., Pinkse, J., & Lubberink, R. (2020) · Business & Society · doi:10.1177/0007650320935015 · Cited by 221 · see citing works
A system dynamics approach to product design and business model strategies for the circular economy
Franco, M. A. (2019) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118327 · Cited by 206 · see citing works
Value drivers of social businesses: A business model perspective
Spieth, P., Schneider, S., Clauß, T., & Eichenberg, D. (2018) · Long Range Planning · doi:10.1016/j.lrp.2018.04.004 · Cited by 202 · see citing works
Sustainable business models: Providing a more holistic perspective
Lozano, R. (2018) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.2059 · Cited by 201 · see citing works
Cosenz, F., Rodrigues, V. P., & Rosati, F. (2019) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.2395 · Cited by 191 · see citing works
A dynamic business modelling approach to design and experiment new business venture strategies
Cosenz, F., & Noto, G. (2017) · Long Range Planning · doi:10.1016/j.lrp.2017.07.001 · Cited by 174 · see citing works
Torres, M. J. M., Izquierdo, M. Á. F., Rivera‐Lirio, J. M., & Escrig‐Olmedo, E. (2018) · Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management · doi:10.1002/csr.1695 · Cited by 176 · see citing works
Horne, J., Recker, M., Michelfelder, I., Jay, J., & Kratzer, J. (2020) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118052 · Cited by 172 · see citing works
Baldassarre, B., Konietzko, J., Brown, P., Calabretta, G., Bocken, N. M. P., Karpen, I. O., & Hultink, E. J. (2020) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120295 · Cited by 172 · see citing works
Santa‐Maria, T., Vermeulen, W. J. V., & Baumgartner, R. J. (2020) · Sustainable Production and Consumption · doi:10.1016/j.spc.2020.12.037 · Cited by 169 · see citing works
Cosenz, F., & Bivona, E. (2020) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.03.003 · Cited by 178 · see citing works
Climate-Proofing Management Research
Nyberg, D., & Wright, C. (2020) · Academy of Management Perspectives · doi:10.5465/amp.2018.0183 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
The role of 3D printing and open design on adoption of socially sustainable supply chain innovation
Beltagui, A., Kunz, N., & Gold, S. (2019) · International Journal of Production Economics · doi:10.1016/j.ijpe.2019.07.035 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
Visual tools for business model innovation: Recommendations from a cognitive perspective
Taeuscher, K., & Abdelkafi, N. (2017) · Creativity and Innovation Management · doi:10.1111/caim.12208 · Cited by 137 · see citing works
Sustainable business model: A review and framework development
Goni, F. A., Chofreh, A. G., Orakani, Z. E., Klemeš, J. J., Davoudi, M., & Mardani, A. (2020) · Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy · doi:10.1007/s10098-020-01886-z · Cited by 134 · see citing works
Frugal innovation and sustainable business models
Hossain, M. (2021) · Technology in Society · doi:10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101508 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
Chun, S., & Nyam-Ochir, A. (2020) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su12187435 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Clauß, T., Kraus, S., & Jones, P. K. (2021) · Technological Forecasting and Social Change · doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121450 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Xiao, L., Cao, J., Liu, Z. G., & Luo, X. (2020) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su12030936 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Creating value for multiple stakeholders: Sustainable business models at the Base of the Pyramid
Dembek, K., York, J., & Singh, P. J. (2018) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.06.046 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
Babajide, A. A., Osabuohien, E. S. C., Tunji-Olayeni, P. F., Falola, H. O., Amodu, L. O., Olokoyo, F. O., Adegboye, F. B., & Ehikioya, B. I. (2021) · Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment · doi:10.1080/20430795.2021.1962663 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Business models for active outdoor sport event tourism experiences
Perić, M., Vitezić, V., & Đurkin, J. (2019) · Tourism Management Perspectives · doi:10.1016/j.tmp.2019.100561 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
The Twin Transformation Butterfly
Christmann, A.-S., Crome, C., Graf‐Drasch, V., Oberländer, A. M., & Schmidt, L. (2024) · Business & Information Systems Engineering · doi:10.1007/s12599-023-00847-2 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Digital business models in cultural tourism
Ammirato, S., Felicetti, A. M., Linzalone, R., & Carlucci, D. (2021) · International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research · doi:10.1108/ijebr-01-2021-0070 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Ploum, L., Blok, V., Lans, T., & Omta, O. (2017) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.10.296 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Business Models for Sustainability: Choices and Consequences
Schneider, S., & Clauß, T. (2019) · Organization & Environment · doi:10.1177/1086026619854217 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Preghenella, N., & Battistella, C. (2021) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.2760 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Sustainable Banking; Evaluation of the European Business Models
Nosratabadi, S., Pintér, G., Mosavi, A. H., & Semperger, S. (2020) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su12062314 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Polychronic knowledge creation in cross-border business models: a sea-like heuristic metaphor
Chin, T., Wang, S., & Rowley, C. (2020) · Journal of Knowledge Management · doi:10.1108/jkm-04-2020-0244 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Scalability and robustness of business models for sustainability: A simulation experiment
Taeuscher, K., & Abdelkafi, N. (2017) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.09.023 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Morioka, S. N., Bolis, I., & de Carvalho, M. M. (2017) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.078 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Zhang, J., Ouyang, Y., Philbin, S. P., Zhao, X., Ballesteros‐Pérez, P., & Li, H. (2020) · Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management · doi:10.1002/csr.2012 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
The Constructs of a Business Model Redefined: A Half-Century Journey
Perić, M., Đurkin, J., & Vitezić, V. (2017) · SAGE Open · doi:10.1177/2158244017733516 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Exploring the potential of business models for sustainability and big data for food waste reduction
Ciccullo, F., Fabbri, M., Abdelkafi, N., & Pero, M. E. P. (2022) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130673 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
Sustainable Business Models of SMEs: Challenges in Yacht Tourism Sector
Battistella, C., Cagnina, M. R., Cicero, L., & Preghenella, N. (2018) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su10103437 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Responding to the greatest challenges? Value creation in ecological startups
Kuckertz, A., Berger, E. S. C., & Gaudig, A. (2019) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.149 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Business Models for Sustainable Finance: The Case Study of Social Impact Bonds
Torre, M. L., Trotta, A., Chiappini, H., & Rizzello, A. (2019) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su11071887 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Chin, T., Shi, Y., Rowley, C., & Meng, J. (2020) · Asia Pacific Business Review · doi:10.1080/13602381.2020.1795481 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Ordonez‐Ponce, E., Clarke, A. C., & Colbert, B. A. (2020) · Business & Society · doi:10.1177/0007650320940241 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
The role of linked legitimacy in sustainable business model development
Press, M., Robert, I., & Maillefert, M. (2019) · Industrial Marketing Management · doi:10.1016/j.indmarman.2019.05.009 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Laasch, O. (2018) · Long Range Planning · doi:10.1016/j.lrp.2018.04.002 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Dima, A., Bugheanu, A.-M., Dinulescu, R., Potcovaru, A.-M., Stefanescu, C. A., & Marin, I. (2022) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su14031326 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Olofsson, S., Hoveskog, M., & Halila, F. (2017) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.081 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Achieving sustainability requires systemic business transformation
Waddock, S. A. (2020) · Global Sustainability · doi:10.1017/sus.2020.9 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Business models for environmental sustainability: Contemporary shortcomings and some perspectives
De Giacomo, M. R., & Bleischwitz, R. (2020) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.2576 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Sustainable business modeling: The need for innovative design thinking
Jian-tong, H., & Ortiz, J. (2021) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126751 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
An apple a day – how the platform economy impacts value creation in the healthcare market
Gleiß, A., Kohlhagen, M., & Pousttchi, K. (2021) · Electronic Markets · doi:10.1007/s12525-021-00467-2 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
A framework for digital transformation and business model innovation
van Tonder, C., Schachtebeck, C., Nieuwenhuizen, C., & Bossink, B. A. G. (2020) · Management · doi:10.30924/mjcmi.25.2.6 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Understanding sustainable business model: A framework and a case study of the bike-sharing industry
Gao, P., & Li, J. (2020) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122229 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Feger, C., & Mermet, L. (2020) · Organization & Environment · doi:10.1177/1086026620947145 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Digital Platform Ecosystems for Sustainable Innovation: Toward a New Meta-Organizational Model?
Calabrese, M., Lasala, A., Fuller, R., & Laudando, A. (2021) · Administrative Sciences · doi:10.3390/admsci11040119 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Gregori, P., Wdowiak, M. A., Schwarz, E. J., & Holzmann, P. (2019) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su11092505 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
System dynamics for corporate business model innovation
Moellers, T., von der Burg, L., Bansemir, B., Pretzl, M., & Gassmann, O. (2019) · Electronic Markets · doi:10.1007/s12525-019-00329-y · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Mhlongo, T., & Daya, P. (2023) · The Southern African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management · doi:10.4102/sajesbm.v15i1.591 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Platform business model innovation in the digitalization era: A “driver-process-result” perspective
Jia, Y., Su, J., Cui, L., Wu, L., & Tan, K. H. (2023) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113818 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Business model innovation canvas: a visual business model innovation model
Jin, Y., Jia, W., Liu, L., & Wang, W. (2021) · European Journal of Innovation Management · doi:10.1108/ejim-02-2021-0079 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Sustainable Business Models: A Bibliometric Performance Analysis
Marczewska, M., & Kostrzewski, M. (2020) · Energies · doi:10.3390/en13226062 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Chebaeva, N., Lettner, M., Wenger, J., Schöggl, J., Hesser, F., Holzer, D., & Stern, T. (2020) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125232 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Developing Sustainable Business Models: A Microfoundational Perspective
Ringvold, K., Saebi, T., & Foss, N. (2022) · Organization & Environment · doi:10.1177/10860266221117250 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
A Design Thinking Framework for Circular Business Model Innovation
Guldmann, E., Bocken, N. M. P., & Brezet, H. C. (2018) · Journal of Business Models · doi:10.5278/ojs.jbm.v7i1.2122 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Stål, H. I., Bengtsson, M. E., & Manzhynski, S. (2021) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.2903 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
The Multiple Facets of Corporate Purpose: An Analytical Typology
Besharov, M. L., & Mitzinneck, B. (2023) · Strategy Science · doi:10.1287/stsc.2023.0186 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Guzzo, D., Rodrigues, V. P., & Mascarenhas, J. (2020) · Technological Forecasting and Social Change · doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120414 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Capturing Value in Platform Business Models That Rely on User-Generated Content
Subramanian, H., Mitra, S., & Ransbotham, S. (2021) · Organization Science · doi:10.1287/orsc.2020.1408 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Mishra, P., & Sant, T. G. (2023) · International Journal of Innovation Science · doi:10.1108/ijis-08-2022-0136 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Supply chain innovation-driven business models
Abdelkafi, N., & Pero, M. E. P. (2018) · Business Process Management Journal · doi:10.1108/bpmj-05-2016-0109 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Smart circular economy as a service business model: an activity system framework and research agenda
Alcayaga, A., & Hansen, E. G. (2024) · R and D Management · doi:10.1111/radm.12707 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Zopounidis, C., & Lemonakis, C. (2024) · Development and sustainability in economics and finance. · doi:10.1016/j.dsef.2024.100003 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Incorporating the Value Proposition for Society with Business Models of Health Tourism Enterprises
Butler, R. W., & Szromek, A. R. (2019) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su11236711 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Business model tooling: where research and practice meet
Bouwman, H., de Reuver, M., Heikkilä, M., & Fielt, E. (2020) · Electronic Markets · doi:10.1007/s12525-020-00424-5 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Sustainable Business Models: A ReviewPreprint
Nosratabadi, S., Mosavi, A. H., Shamshirband, S., Zavadskas, E. K., Rakotonirainy, A., & Chau, K. (2020) · doi:10.31219/osf.io/ts54m · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Grand challenges and entrepreneurship: Emerging issues, research streams, and theoretical landscape
Ricciardi, F., Rossignoli, C., & Zardini, A. (2021) · International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal · doi:10.1007/s11365-021-00771-5 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Toward a resilient complex adaptive system view of business models
Liu, J., Tong, T. W., & Sinfield, J. (2020) · Long Range Planning · doi:10.1016/j.lrp.2020.102030 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
A framework for the adoption of green business models in the Ghanaian construction industry
Lamptey, T., Owusu‐Manu, D., Acheampong, A., Adesi, M., & Ghansah, F. A. (2020) · Smart and Sustainable Built Environment · doi:10.1108/sasbe-08-2020-0130 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Zhao, X., Chen, L., Pan, W., & Lu, Q. (2017) · Journal of Construction Engineering and Management · doi:10.1061/(asce)co.1943-7862.0001348 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Javanmardi, E., Marešová, P., Xie, N., & Mierzwiak, R. (2024) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25962 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Designing business model development tools for sustainability—a design science study
Schoormann, T., Stadtländer, M., & Knackstedt, R. (2021) · Electronic Markets · doi:10.1007/s12525-021-00466-3 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Cui, Y., Cao, Y., Ji, Y., Chang, I., & Wu, J. F. (2022) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.3042 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Ávila-Gutiérrez, M. J., Martín-Gómez, A. M., Aguayo-González, F., & Lama-Ruiz, J. R. (2020) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su12051889 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Zhao, X., Pan, W., & Chen, L. (2018) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.01.010 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Business Models and Sustainability in Nature Tourism: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Sahebalzamani, S., & Bertella, G. (2018) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su10093226 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Troise, C., Santoro, G., Jones, P. K., & Bresciani, S. (2023) · Journal of Management & Organization · doi:10.1017/jmo.2023.45 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
- Authors
- Abdelkafi, N., & Täuscher, K.
- Affiliations
- Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy (DE)
- Business Model Engineering and Innovation, Fraunhofer MOEZ, Leipzig, Germany
- Corresponding author
- Abdelkafi, Nizar
- ORCID
- Abdelkafi, Nizar
- Venue
- Organization & Environment
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2015-07-02
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 74-96
- ISSN
- 1086-0266 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7417
- OpenAlex
- W2281331439
- Cited by
- 443
- References
- 84
- Citations by year
- 2026: 28 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 41 · 2023: 50 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 54 · 2020: 61 · 2019: 57 · 2018: 38 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 6
- FWCI
- 68.96
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Organization & Environment (publishedVersion)
- Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (publishedVersion)
- Fraunhofer-Publica (Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Sustainable Supply Chain Management
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Marketing › Environmental Sustainability in Business
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management of Technology and Innovation › Sustainability and Innovation in Business
- Keywords
- business model transformation, reinforcing feedback loops, value creation, stakeholder value, natural environment, system dynamics modeling, multilevel modeling, firm-environment interaction
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
