PurposeSustainable business model innovation (SBMI) is a change in the way a firm operates in order to create positive impacts or to reduce negative consequences for the environment and the society. The aim of this paper is to explain what pathways a firm can take when it implements a sustainable business innovation process in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Design/methodology/approachThe article starts with the analysis of the existing literature about BMI and SBMI in order to extrapolate the main elements of these topics.FindingsThanks to the combined information from academic and nonacademic sources, the study proposes a new framework. It is divided into three sectors: value proposition, value capture delivery and value capture according to the main studies about the business model.Research limitations/implicationsRegarding theoretical implications, this study contributes to developing a theory of both BMI and sustainable innovation. Indeed it helps in the understanding of the dynamic vision about how the business model changes in order to incorporate triple sustainability.Practical implicationsFrom a practical view, the paper can serve as a guideline for corporate reorganization.Originality/valueThe new framework differs from some recent academic efforts first of all for its theoretical characteristics: BMI construct and not business model concept is the core of the framework. The business model represents the subject of innovation, not its vehicle. Another unique aspect that can be derived from the approach adopted is that it links theoretical with practical sources.

Negli ultimi anni si è assistito alla crescita del numero di organizzazioni ibride, imprese caratterizzate da più domini funzionali e dalla coesistenza di sistemi di valori differenti. Le stesse presentano un modello di corporate governance allargato che richiede l'assunzione di responsabilità nei confronti non solo della proprietà, ma anche verso tutti gli stakeholder. L'obiettivo del presente lavoro si sostanzia nell'esplorare i tre aspetti di governance caratterizzanti un'impresa ibrida con scopo di lucro ossia il bilanciamento di logiche differenti, il monitoraggio delle azioni e dei risultati e la comunicazione esterna, al fine di identificare le azioni da attuare per risolvere le tensioni manageriali insite in tale forma organizzativa. Per far ciò sono state prese in analisi le società benefit che nell'esercizio della propria attività economica oltre allo scopo del profitto perseguono una o più finalità di beneficio comune. Le evidenze empiriche derivanti dall'analisi del caso studio riguardante l'impresa italiana Illycaffè permettono di apportare nuova conoscenza nella letteratura sulla corporate governance e sul sustainability management.

In the last decade, individual awareness of the impacts generated by the activities of businesses has increased more than ever. Consumers, employees and investors have begun to criticize business behaviors that negatively affect either society or the environment. Given this context, and relying on the literature relating to hybrid organizations and sustainable business models, our research aims to investigate how dual logic affects the business model of benefit corporations in the Italian film production industry. To capture the complexity of this type of firm, we adopted a qualitative research method, the case study approach. The case selected was ARE FILMS srl, a creative film production company. It has been a benefit corporation since it was founded. The study suggests that the capacity of hybrid businesses to achieve a hybrid mission is intrinsically embedded in their business model. A young film production benefit corporation is more likely to adopt a semi-integrated business model that does not create an external perception of dual corporate identity and does not affect economic sustainability. Moreover, the sustainable value proposition emerges even without the formal application of accepted protocols. Furthermore, we realized that the size of the firm affects business modelling. Finally, this research underlines the fact that benefit corporations do not require external pressure to implement sustainable practices.

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