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Truly sustainable business models : ideal types for sustainable production and consumption
Type
doctoral thesis
Date Issued
2022-09-19
Author(s)
Abstract
Humanity is facing unprecedented challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and social inequality are threatening the health of the planet and us humans. Businesses play a prominent role both as a cause and as a solution to these problems. Yet there is an imbalance between sustainability actions at the corporate level and their impact on solving sustainability problems at the macro level. This thesis proposes truly sustainable business models to overcome this big disconnect. They are based on the concept of true business sustainability by Dyllick and Muff (2016), which is grounded on two pillars. First, sustainability serves as a starting point for businesses. Second, the focus is on creating positive societal value rather than aiming to minimize unsustainable impacts. The thesis identifies six characteristics of truly sustainable business models. These characteristics sketch an ideal picture of truly sustainable business models that can serve as inspiration for sustainability efforts. Three case studies illustrate and concretize the ideal types of truly sustainable business models. They are intended to serve as examples showing that positive change is possible and that economically viable solutions simultaneously creating value for the common good already exist. Thus, the work contributes to the expansion of the scientific discourse on sustainable business models and true business sustainability. Furthermore, it demonstrates on a practical level how truly sustainable business models can foster sustainable development and the transformation of our current economic system toward a sustainable future.
Abstract (De)
Humanity is facing unprecedented challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and social inequality are threatening the health of the planet and us humans. Businesses play a prominent role both as a cause and as a solution to these problems. Yet there is an imbalance between sustainability actions at the corporate level and their impact on solving sustainability problems at the macro level. This thesis proposes truly sustainable business models to overcome this big disconnect. They are based on the concept of true business sustainability by Dyllick and Muff (2016), which is grounded on two pillars. First, sustainability serves as a starting point for businesses. Second, the focus is on creating positive societal value rather than aiming to minimize unsustainable impacts. The thesis identifies six characteristics of truly sustainable business models. These characteristics sketch an ideal picture of truly sustainable business models that can serve as inspiration for sustainability efforts. Three case studies illustrate and concretize the ideal types of truly sustainable business models. They are intended to serve as examples showing that positive change is possible and that economically viable solutions simultaneously creating value for the common good already exist. Thus, the work contributes to the expansion of the scientific discourse on sustainable business models and true business sustainability. Furthermore, it demonstrates on a practical level how truly sustainable business models can foster sustainable development and the transformation of our current economic system toward a sustainable future.
Language
English
Keywords
Geschäftsmodell
Strategisches Management
Nachhaltigkeit
Umweltbezogenes Management
EDIS-5200
sustainable development
Klimaschutz
sustainable production and consumption
Nachhaltige Geschäftsmodelle
Kreislaufwirtschaft
Nachhaltige Entwicklung
Biodiversität
Sustainable business model
business model development
Geschäftsmodellinnovation
HSG Classification
not classified
HSG Profile Area
None
Publisher
Universität St. Gallen
Publisher place
St.Gallen
Official URL
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
267339
File(s)