A pattern‐based tool to support companies in sustainability‐oriented business strategies: grounded theory research in agribusiness

Abstract

Sustainability is an issue that echoes in our daily lives, leading to a new post‐COVID‐19 crisis trend: sustainable business. Sustainability encompasses environmental, social, and economic aspects are reflected in corporate organizational practices and sustainable business models. Despite this, integrating sustainability into business practices presents a challenge. As indicated by the literature review, 90% of the existing sustainable business models are partially capable of covering the three dimensions of sustainability. This study proposes a pattern‐based tool to support companies in the implementation of sustainability‐oriented business strategies emerging from a grounded theory research in agribusiness. The proposed pattern‐based tool maps the current sustainable business models, the material topics, and Global Reporting Initiatives that a company can adopt to implement sustainability strategies. Sustainable business models came from literature review, material topics and GRIs were identified analyzing 107 European agribusiness companies. The proposed pattern‐based tool, can be explored through three patterns designed to implement economic, social, and environmental sustainability strategies. It was applied in a case study to better demonstrate how to use the proposed tool in the practice. Discussions and implications for academia and agribusinesses are provided.