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To achieve an economy within ecological boundaries that meets the needs of all requires societal transitions (i.e. systemic changes of collective cultures, structures and practices). Such a societal and economic transition requires corporate and entrepreneurial organisations to transform their businesses, business models and societal roles. While the importance of companies for sustainable development has been acknowledged in the existing literature the link between transformations at the organizational level and sustainability transitions beyond organizational boundaries needs further investigation. This contribution therefore unpacks the duality of companies in sustainability transitions: they are subject to the transformative changes in the economy and society, and they can be leaders of sustainability transitions of the economy and society. Companies are challenged to proactively manage a simultaneous build‐up of sustainable and phase‐out of unsustainable products, services and practices. Key approaches for sustainability transformation management are discussed and conclusions for research and practice deducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article studies the influence of product lifetime labelling on purchase decisions. Based on consumer theory of Lancaster, experimental survey data are collected from a population representative sample of 499 German consumers, using choice‐based conjoint analysis. Hierarchical Bayes utility modelling suggests a substantial positive effect of product lifetime labelling on purchase decisions. However, the effect is not linear but decreasing with higher levels of product lifetime. The relative importance of the product lifetime label is found to be higher than that of the product's energy consumption or brand. Additionally, we show that the introduction of product lifetime labelling renders the positive influence of existing brands on purchase decisions less impactful. Therefore, strategic implications for companies differ substantially, depending on companies' current brand‐building. Besides implications for business strategy, the study informs marketers and policymakers about the potential of product lifetime labelling to stimulate the supply of, and demand for, more durable products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effectuation, as an emerging theoretical approach in entrepreneurship, is receiving increasing attention in research and practice. Still, the integration of effectuation in sustainable entrepreneurship literature is sparse, and its influence on the sustainability orientation of ventures has so far not been examined in the academic literature. This article, therefore, investigates the influence that causal and effectual behaviors have on the sustainability orientation of established entrepreneurial ventures. This is important to consider, especially if entrepreneurial behaviors were to influence sustainability orientation negatively, this could potentially thwart the venture's ability to create lasting sustainability value. Based on a quantitative survey among 140 sustainable ventures, we find support for the hypothesis that causal behaviors reinforce sustainability orientation. We demonstrate that effectual behaviors exert a positive influence on sustainability orientation as well. Thus, the experimentation and flexibility of goals that ventures possess reflect that effectual behaviors are not at the expense of sustainability orientation. These results can inform sustainable entrepreneurs and educators to use both behaviors purposefully and highlight causal and effectual behaviors are equally important elements for sustainable entrepreneurship education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current level of corporate sustainability is insufficient for overcoming pressing environmental and social issues. Research is therefore needed about processes that lead to increased corporate action that fosters sustainable development. This study investigates the influence of feedback and corporate awareness of consequences on the development of corporate sustainability action over time. It uses action regulation theory to quantitatively analyse data of 59 large German companies measured at two points in time. The results reveal a positive temporal development of corporate sustainability action, and awareness of consequences positively mediates the relationship between corporate sustainability actions in two different time periods. Feedback acts as a moderator between the positive effect of corporate sustainability action in the first period on corporate awareness of consequences in the second period. Based on these findings, recommendations for organisations include the importance of seeking and processing feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementing corporate sustainability strategies requires knowledge and application of sustainability management tools. While much progress has been made in developing such tools in both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large companies, the literature claims company size positively affects application. However, the role of knowledge as amediating factor has not yet been investigated. Using the knowledge-based view as a theoretical underpinning, this paper draws on empirical survey data from SMEs and large companies in Germany. It analyzes how company size affects the degree of knowledge and application of sustainability management tools. Even though the results reaffirm that SMEs know and apply significantly less tools, company size does not influence the share of tools applied once they are known. Thus, knowledge is identified as a key difference between SMEs and large companies as well as an important mediator to promote sustainability management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]