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The building sector is responsible for several environmental impacts, as well as economic and social consequences. Hence, the adoption of energy efficiency measures in building renovation projects can lead to benefits to several stakeholders in a holistic sustainability perspective. However, these projects require a gradual shift of their business models towards sustainable business models. In particular, performing quantitative sustainability analyses can help to overcome the traditional focus of business models on economic value and customers by defining wider costs and benefits for the environment and the society. This paper first provides a review of the state-of-the-art of sustainability analyses and business models for building renovation projects. Then, it proposes an analytic process based on the execution of quantitative sustainability examinations, as a support for the project proposition, creation, and capture of sustainable value in a multi-stakeholder perspective. The analytic process is applied to a case study that is the energy renovation project of a Norwegian single-family house, and several sustainability criteria are computed for three possible scenarios that are inclusive of different energy efficiency measures. The paper's findings can be relevant for both practitioners and academics who search for new approaches to embed quantitative analyses into the business context of building energy renovation projects. Furthermore, the findings can represent the groundwork for the possible operationalization of sustainable business in such projects, striving for a systematic execution of quantitative sustainability analyses as a key step towards sustainable business models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concepts of sustainability and innovation represent a fundamental conflict of objectives. This fact may help explain why the management literature has been ambiguous in its approach to sustainability-oriented innovation. The main purpose of this article is to develop an analytical framework to further study the influence of mindfulness. Mindfulness can support the development of the cognitive abilities, attitudes and behaviors of individuals who work within organizations. It can help them identify and utilize creative solutions that can lead to sustainability-oriented innovation. This paper presents a theoretical study that has been designed to support future research in sustainability-oriented innovation in the organizational context. A systematic literature review provides empirical evidence that mindfulness training can promote changes in individual cognition mechanisms that favor creativity and ecological concerns. As an isolated training technique, mindfulness can be used as a tool to reduce the stress that is caused by efficiency-driven business models. To help influence management actions in favor of sustainability-oriented innovation, this paper offers a research agenda that combines the following five fields of study: sufficiency-driven business models, inclusive capitalism, sustainability-oriented innovation capability, mindfulness in organizations and interdisciplinary and qualitative mindfulness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global businesses are transforming towards capturing more value from services, a business model transition called servitization. Digital servitization can help create and maintain a competitive advantage, as well as offering opportunities to tackle major challenges related to environmental pressures and rapidly changing market conditions. This study aims to bridge the gap between the theory of digital servitization and its implementation in the maritime shipping sector. This paper presents a multi-case study that explores the status, perceived challenges, and enablers for the adoption of digital servitization. Empirical data were collected from interviews with 13 companies and analyzed using the PESTEL and DPSIR frameworks. The results are presented across three categories based on the PESTEL framework: organizational context, global priorities, and sustainability. This study contributes to theory by providing empirical insights from the status of digital servitization in the maritime shipping industry. Also, it identifies challenges and needs that can support the transition towards digital servitization and the development of more sustainable solutions. Future research avenues are suggested to advance digital servitization in other industrial sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investments into new energy solution systems, and for example into producing carbon-neutral fuels, are increasing, but tools for the capital investments' feasibility studies are limited. Various contemporaneous attempts to reduce the dependence on fossil energy sources are needed, and a power-to-x (P2X) solution, which is part of the hydrogen economy, can be seen as one opportunity. However, many hydrogen economy solutions have not yet been proven to be economically profitable, but they could be if the investment projects were considered from a broader perspective than from company level and an economic perspective. In previous research, a three-stage economic and technology emphasized feasibility study (FS) framework has been created, and the early results indicate that the P2X investments can meet economic feasibility with over 12% of the investor IRR, and could offer profitable solutions towards a carbon-neutral future. However, the framework did not recognize the full potential of P2X through sustainability, and therefore a new extended version of the framework is needed. The objective of the paper is to create an expanded sustainable feasibility study (SFS) framework from the FS framework to support the P2X investments. As a result, an SFS framework is created, considering the investment projects' feasibility beyond the economic perspective by adding all three dimensions of sustainability: economic, environmental, and social. The three stages of the framework are ecosystem profiling, business model description, and profitability modelling. This paper was made by utilizing the design science research (DSR) methodology and a literature review. Sustainable feasibility study (SFS) framework. [Display omitted] • SFS framework considers the investment projects' feasibility beyond economic perspective: incl. dimensions of sustainability. • The three stages of the SFS framework are ecosystem profiling, business model description, and profitability modelling. • P2X investment projects should study the ecosystem to support realizing the benefits of sustainability and circular economy. • P2X investment projects can meet economic feasibility with over 12% of the investor IRR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of small entrepreneurial companies and their partnerships with large corporations to advance the circular economy (CE). The authors provide insights from a U.S.-based empirical study that involved 12 companies and examined the emerging drivers, current challenges and future opportunities for advancing waste repurposing and product reuse. Many large companies fail to incorporate CE principles into their business strategy due to lack of mandates, costs, logistical hurdles and inertia. This presents an opportunity for entrepreneurial companies with innovative business models to fill the gap and provide critical links for corporations in reverse supply chains while creating new business opportunities with social benefits. The study found that despite the lack of federal regulations in the U.S. a growing number of corporations are partnering with entrepreneurs to reduce waste and advance product reuse. Key drivers for such trends include sustainability commitments and zero waste goals by companies and municipalities, European Union and U.S. state mandates, reputation and the growing focus on local sourcing. Technology, knowledge, and strategic partnerships between entrepreneurs and corporations play a critical role in reducing financial costs, time, energy, environmental impacts and resources, thus helping establish viable business models. The authors propose a new framework for corporate-entrepreneur collaborations to advance a CE. The study contributes to the research on the relationship between entrepreneurial innovation and the development of CE principles within corporate supply chains, a field that is still in its infant stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Global Mining Initiative, the mining industry came together to understand the industry's role in the transition to sustainable development and to ensure its long-term contribution. The industry has since then come a long way and improved its sustainable development performance in many areas. But how far has the industry been considering environmental (“strong”) sustainability in its approach? And how does this compare to companies in other sectors and leading organizations such as the United Nations, World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Global Reporting Initiative? This paper presents results from a literature review, looking at how far the mining industry has considered environmental sustainability in its approach. It explores, if the current efforts of the largest mining companies are aligned with the efforts of companies from other industry sectors, as well as the position of leading organizations. We conclude that the mining industry is not setting on the wrong sustainability paradigm at this stage, but is at risk of falling behind societal expectations on climate change and the leaders from other industries on natural capital considerations. The industry can improve by considering the Paris Agreement in its approach to climate change, considering natural capital as an industry, e.g. through working with the Natural Capital Coalition and more broadly by pro-actively thinking about what the consequences of “strong sustainability” would mean for their business models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this paper is on the interplay between sustainability and the adoption of various types of innovations. Little empirical research addresses how the valuation of sustainability affects the adoption of different types of innovations. This study contributes to this research gap by presenting the explanatory sustainability factors behind horse industry operators' willingness to adopt technological, service, and business model innovations. The study was executed in Finland, where currently only a fraction of horse manure's potential is utilized and the horse industry is asking for new business models, innovations, and sustainable development. Empirical results collected through a survey of 139 Finnish horse industry operators reveals that the more an operator values economic sustainability, the more likely it is to adopt technological innovations, service innovations, and business model innovations. Moreover, a high valuation of environmental sustainability diminishes the input needed to adopt technological innovations, and the more an operator values institutional sustainability, the more likely it is to adopt business model innovations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper adopts a waste-centric analysis of Product-Service Systems (PSSs) to demonstrate that they do not automatically contribute to a dematerialization of the economy, a decoupling of production from material and energy consumption, and thus a transition toward sustainability. A qualitative analysis of various Nordic fashion PSSs that uses a combination of Tukker’s (2004) classification of PSSs and the European waste hierarchy model demonstrates that the waste effect of a PSS is independent of its being product-oriented, use-oriented, or result-oriented. Rather, the effect depends on how the business model of the PSS organizes material flows at production, distribution, use, and post-consumption stages in relationship to prevailing waste regimes where the PSS operates. We suggest that if a PSS is to reduce its waste effect and contribute to dematerialization, its business model should design material flows that fit with the prevailing waste regimes within the area it operates and prioritize waste prevention before considering reuse, recycling, energy recovery, and landfilling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Product-service system (PSS) business models are now more widely used for business to consumer exchanges due to the popularity of the ‘sharing economy’ or ‘collaborative consumption’. While there are claims that PSS offer more sustainable consumption alternatives, there is a shortage of literature regarding PSS business practices and the factors that may influence their environmental performance. In addition, few studies have investigated PSS in emerging economies. In this paper, we examine PSS business practices in relation to environmental sustainability for twenty businesses in Hanoi, Manila and Bangkok. Our aim is to understand business practices in this emerging economy context, and to determine the factors that enable or inhibit PSS businesses from achieving environmentally sustainable outcomes. We identified six sustainability criteria from the literature as the basis for analysing business practices: 1) using durable, quality goods; 2) intensifying use of goods; 3) enabling repair, take back and recycling of goods; 4) ensuring rental replaces purchase; 5) minimising transport and disposable packaging of goods; and for transport – 6) reducing private vehicle kilometres travelled. Through qualitative analysis of interviews we found that business participants generally performed well in criteria 1–2, but performance across the remaining criteria depended on the context such as: market conditions, public infrastructure, housing form, customer behaviour and the nature of the product. Our findings highlight the need for policy interventions to facilitate more sustainable outcomes, including: guidelines and green accreditation; planning regulations/incentives to provide space for PSS businesses; and policies to encourage multiple passengers for transport sharing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Business models have received much attention in recent years due to their importance in the fundamental logic of every company. This paper is based on a qualitative, empirical research study conducted in cooperation with 10 Austrian companies in 2014. It aims to investigate business models for sustainability in order to better understand how they operate and what the drivers for developing these business models are. This is a cross-industry sample covering companies showing notable sustainability activities. In fact, half of the companies were founded with the intention of complying with sustainability principles. The results show that business models incorporating aspects of sustainability do not differ substantially from traditional business models. However, they do require specific adaptations and extensions. Furthermore, the findings highlight the significance of company leaders in organizing change processes so as to encompass sustainable business practices. The findings reveal that business models undergo constant change, and that sustainability plays a central role, both internally and externally. The results gained allow for a deeper understanding of the motivational aspects and drivers needed in developing business models for sustainability, and serve as a solid basis for further research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the sharing economy is often linked to the discussion on sustainable development, relatively little research has explored the potential of sharing economy business models to create sustainable value. Based on a review of the prior literature on sharing economy business models and sustainable value creation, in addition to exploring the empirical examples of companies under sharing sphere, this study shows that business model choices do matter; it is not self-evident that sharing economy business models advance sustainability. This study contributes to the current literature by introducing a specified categorization of 13 different sharing economy business models and a conceptual framework to help analyze the sustainable value creation potential of different business models. For managers, this study offers insights into the sustainability potential of different sharing economy business models and highlights the most crucial points to be considered in managerial decision-making. Image 1 • The paper examines the sustainable value creation potential of different types of sharing economy business models. • The paper introduces a specified categorization of 13 different sharing economy business models. • The paper introduces a conceptual framework to help analyze the sustainable value creation potential of business models. • Business model choices do matter; it is not self-evident that sharing economy business models advance sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need for metrics to analyse complex business models in the circular economy. Life cycle assessment (LCA) currently is the best defined system to analyse the environmental aspects, and is capable to analyse circular systems, Product Service Systems, and systems for recycling. However LCA falls short of analysis of the added value of business models. Since new sustainable business models are part of the transition towards a circular economy, there is a need for combined analyses of value and eco-burden. This paper applies the LCA-based Eco-costs Value Ratio (EVR) Model to analyse potential negative environmental effects of business initiatives on a system level, and to provide a theoretical approach to the design of sustainable business models by means of a three dimensional approach of costs, eco-costs and market value. Two methods are applied for analysis and design: Eco-efficient Value Creation (EVR benchmarking) and the Circular Transition Framework (describing stakeholder activities which are required for the transition towards sustainable business models). The practical case of the analysis, design and implementation of a business model for sustainable water recreation in Friesland (a province in the Netherlands) is used to validate the usefulness of these two LCA-based methods. The conclusion is that the approach of Eco-efficient Value Creation helps to avoid many pitfalls of the design of circular business models (e.g. having a positive result on product level, but having a negative effect on societal level; having a positive effect on the environment but having insufficient customer perceived value to overcome fierce market competition). The Circular Transition Framework reveals pitfalls and opportunities in implementation (e.g. the coordination between business models and governmental policies). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]