Business Cases for Sustainability and the Role of Business Model Innovation: Developing a Conceptual Framework

Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM), Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, ISBN 978-3-942638-03-6, 2011

32 Pages Posted: 28 Apr 2012 Last revised: 18 Mar 2013

See all articles by Stefan Schaltegger

Stefan Schaltegger

Leuphana University of Lueneburg

Florian Lüdeke-Freund

University of Hamburg, Chair of Capital Markets and Management; Leuphana University, Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM)

Erik G. Hansen

Johannes Kepler University (JKU) Linz

Date Written: 2011

Abstract

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 is targeted towards increasing corporate economic value through environmental or social measures. The existence of a business case for sustainability is, however, mostly considered to be an ad hoc measure, an add-on to core business, or simply a coincidence. As a contrast to these views this paper argues that to support a systematic, ongoing creation of business cases for sustainability may require business model innovation. 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

Keywords: business case for sustainability, business models for sustainability, sustainable business model, business model innovation, radical innovation, sustainability strategies, strategic management, conceptual framework, Geschäftsmodell

JEL Classification: M13, L21

Suggested Citation

Schaltegger, Stefan and Lüdeke-Freund, Florian and Hansen, Erik G., Business Cases for Sustainability and the Role of Business Model Innovation: Developing a Conceptual Framework (2011). Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM), Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, ISBN 978-3-942638-03-6, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2010506 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2010506

Stefan Schaltegger (Contact Author)

Leuphana University of Lueneburg ( email )

Scharnhorststraße 1
Lüneburg, 21335
Germany

Florian Lüdeke-Freund

University of Hamburg, Chair of Capital Markets and Management ( email )

Faculty of Business, Economics & Social Sciences
Von-Melle-Park 9
Hamburg, 20146
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.SustainableBusinessModel.org

Leuphana University, Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM) ( email )

Faculty of Sustainability
Scharnhorststr. 1
Lüneburg, 21335
Germany

Erik G. Hansen

Johannes Kepler University (JKU) Linz ( email )

Linz
Austria

HOME PAGE: http://www.jku.at/iqd/content/e288348

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
1,711
Abstract Views
8,272
Rank
1,329
PlumX Metrics