Renewing and improving the business model toward sustainability in theory and practice

Abstract

The paper aims to analyse and discuss the evolution towards a sustainable business model and to focus on the motivations and the implications on the mission, the governance and the accountability of companies. Moreover, the theoretical framework of values-based, ethical and sustainable leadership has been used as interpretative key for the case-study analysis. After presenting the literature review, the second part of the work is based on the inductive approach applied to the analysis of the experience of an Italian medium-sized company (SGR Group) belonging to the energy sector (oil & gas). Recently this company has started a new project aimed at renewing its business model and deepening its sustainability orientation, which has already been experienced for years. The project is finalized at identifying and assessing vices and virtues which affect the governance and the leadership model, as well as the company's stakeholders engagement processes. The case exemplifies a resilience capability derived from a sustainable business model activated through relationships among internal and external stakeholders and supported by an ethical-based transformational leadership model which, in turn, derives from and nurtures the coherence among the mission-governance and accountability model. Specifically, the analysis confirms the propositions drawn from the literature review relative to the fact that the coherence among mission, governance and accountability is a key driver for effective business model and that sustainable business models derive from and are characterized by sustainable leadership models, which include transformational, ethical-based and values-virtues-driven leadership.

The Role of Transformational Leadership in Promoting Sustainability among Property Development Companies in Malaysia

“…In this study, transformational leadership was found to be positively related to sustainability. This result was consistent with previous literature which indicated that one of the attributes of sustainability today is the role of transformational leadership (Baldo & Baldarelli, 2017;Chan & Chan, 2005;Feyerherm & Parker, 2015;Meng et al, 2015;Muralidharan & Pathak, 2018;Müller & Judgev, 2012;Muller & Turner, 2010;Tabassi et al, 2016;Yang et al, 2011). Therefore, transformational leadership is a significant variable for promoting sustainability in property development in Malaysia because it is essential to sustainable achievement where management possess the necessary leadership competencies, skills and knowledge to be able to achieve sustainability in property development.…”

Sustainability and CSR orientation through “Edutainment” in tourism

“…This feature is part of the company's identity and forges its business model that is driven toward strong sustainability (Ayres et al 1998). Notably, it derives from core values that have been inherited from the entrepreneurial family through generations (Looser and Wehrmeyer 2015;Del Baldo and Baldarelli 2017). Moreover, it is tied to its social capital, that is the systems of values, norms and behaviors that the entrepreneur ant the top management share with the stakeholders (Del Baldo, 2014).…”

“…The need for developing SBMs and their implementation in practice has been pointed out by several authors (Visser 2011;Dean and McMullen 2007;Hall et al 2010) who consider them fundamental for trigger more outward-oriented conceptions of CSR (corporate social responsibility) and sustainability (Schaltegger et al 2016;Looser and Wehrmeyer 2015;Del Baldo 2012;Del Baldo and Baldarelli 2017) fashioned through dynamic and continuous interactions between individuals and groups inside and outside companies (Thompson et al 2015). The elements that contribute to driving a transformation toward SMBs requires the building of networks and collaborative practices for learning and action around a new shared vision and generate social value creation Mair 2005, 2006;Johnson 2010;Patzelt and Shepherd 2011).…”

Awareness of Corporate Social Responsibility Related Activities of Different Company for Building Brands from Customer Perspectives in Nepal

“…But now, it is a time for every responsible citizen and the company must contribute to the country cause [9,10]. The business these days is not only related to the profit maximization of the company and shareholders but also responsible to do something for the stakeholders and community people [2,11]. The objective of this study is to study the consciousness of customers of a different company (Standard Chartered Bank, Ncell, Asian Paints, Yeti Airlines and Dabur Nepal) on awareness of corporate social responsibility related activities of different companies for building brands in Nepal.…”