Transformative Business Models for Sustainability Transitions

Proka, Antonia; Beers, Pieter J.; Loorbach, Derk

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-73503-0_2

Cited by 15 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…To systematically identify the ongoing niche-regime dynamics and the potential instances of conflict, we have designed an analytical framework that combines insights on (sustainability-oriented) business models and sustainability transitions [24,25]. The business model concept functions as the vehicle for assessment of how an organisation defines and aims to realise its intended sustainable impact (e.g., [26]).…”

Section: Analytical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transition without Conflict? Renewable Energy Initiatives in the Dutch Energy Transition

2018

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In the context of the slowly progressing energy transition, a number of renewable energy initiatives have been emerging in the Netherlands. These initiatives represent alternatives to the dominant functioning of the energy system, and as such, may come into conflict with it. Transitions involve system destabilisation and conflict between the incumbent regime and the initiatives originating in niches. In order to assess the transformative potential of such initiatives, this paper addresses the question: what kind of conflicts and tensions arise from renewable energy initiatives, and what strategies do they develop to overcome or avoid them? Combined with a business model perspective, transition thinking enabled a better understanding of how the initiatives organise themselves, and where the points of friction with their institutional context emerge. We suggest that the instances of conflict may function as an indication for the state of the energy transition and the transformative potential impact of such initiatives. The instances discussed in this contribution relate to existing support schemes, technology choices, and the overall organisational networks of the emerging sector.Transitions are complex, co-evolutionary processes of fundamental change [10,11]. They bring about a change of institutions, and of the formal and informal (explicit or implicit) rules of the game that shape the behaviour of its key actors (p. 14) [12]. Transitions are processes of disruptive change that entail system destabilisation, tensions and conflicts [10,11]. In system transitions, change comes about as the result of processes operating at multiple scales [10,11]. External pressures, like climate change or nuclear disasters, occur at the landscape level, an exogenous environment. The landscape puts pressure on the incumbent regime, the dominant functioning of the system. It causes tensions within the regime and enables increasingly competitive configurations in niches to gain importance [13,14]. To break through, innovations in the niche have to struggle against the selection pressures exercised by dominant regimes [11,15]. Concurring with Hård [16] who argued that social conflict should "be treated as a cause of innovation, diffusion, transfer, and application-not only as a result of these processes" (p. 409), we suggest that conflict may serve as an indicator of the state of the energy transition process, and the potential transformative impact of the initiatives in the niche. Therefore, in order to understand, and potentially support, the transformative potential of REIs, this paper addresses the question: what kind of conflicts and tensions arise around renewable energy initiatives, and what strategies do they develop to overcome or avoid them?Although niche and regime contrast by definition, their interaction is not always conflictual. Some strategies take a more radical stance than others. There may be several reasons why niche-innovations avoid conflict with the regime. First of all, through actions tailored to maintain the s...

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Section: Analytical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transition without Conflict? Renewable Energy Initiatives in the Dutch Energy Transition

2018

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“…5 For researchers meanwhile, there are fruitful conversations to be had between transition scholars focussed on innovation and technology, scholars from business schools working on questions of corporate strategy and academics from other social sciences such as political science, sociology and psychology which draw attention to questions of policy, politics, and social power, including shifting landscapes of values and behavior, alongside historians who can enrich our understanding of precedents and previous examples of rapid transition. The transition literature has paid more attention to the question of speed and urgency in general, within which business has a key, yet insufficiently analyzed role (Hörisch, 2015;Proka, Beers, & Loorbach, 2018). There is also a need to redress the Northern bias in business and transitions scholarship given the key role of private and state-owned enterprises in power houses like India, China, Brazil, and South Africa (Pulver & Benney, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The business of rapid transition

Newell

2020

WIREs Climate Change

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In a context of climate emergency and calls from the IPCC for "transformative systemic change," we need to revisit the role of business in helping to accelerate responses to climate crisis. The scale and depth of the challenges facing business have intensified in ways which force us to refocus our research on questions of urgency and speed, as well as the growing need for new and alternative business models and a fundamental re-balancing of the economy. There is a large literature dealing with business responses to climate change from a range of perspectives and disciplines covering issues such as corporate strategy and public policy engagement. But I argue that the question of the nature and speed of change now required, and whether there are historical and contemporary precedents for accelerated transitions within and beyond business, must assume a more central place in our research. This must be alongside growing efforts to understand how business will adapt to climate chaos. This conclusion implies a closer engagement and cross-fertilization of ideas with scholars of sustainability transitions, for example. Here, there is growing interest in the question of how to accelerate transitions, but where greater attention is required to the role of business actors.

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“…In the Anthropocene, sustainable development is “development that meets the needs of the present while safeguarding Earth’s life-supporting system, on which the welfare of current and future generations depends” (Griggs et al , 2013, p. 306). Under these circumstances, businesses are required not simply to reduce their environmental impact but, more importantly, to transform the system within which they operate through innovative business models that produce environmental and social sustainability (Bolton and Hannon, 2016; Proka et al , 2018). Therefore, in addition to its academic relevance, sustaincentrism in management research can be appropriate to inform current management practice and steer the emergence of innovative circular strategies.…”

Section: Conclusion and Implications For Theory And Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Circular economy: laying the foundations for conceptual and theoretical development in management studies

Angelis

2020

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PurposeThis article develops conceptual and paradigmatic clarity in the circular economy literature from a management studies perspective.Design/methodology/approachThis article uses a systematic literature review for analysing how circular economy is currently understood. It also reflects on how to establish paradigmatic anchoring of the circular economy in the management field.FindingsMultiple definitions of the circular economy exist, but they depict the circular economy narrowly and fail to incorporate aspects of competitiveness and profitability. Additionally, most of sustainability management research displays shortcomings in the way this literature frames the organisation–nature relationship.Research limitations/implicationsThis article aims to support conceptual and theoretical development in the circular economy literature and highlights opportunities for enhanced competitiveness and profitability deriving from circular business model innovation. However, further research is welcomed to assess this connection.Practical implicationsThe conceptualisation of the circular economy proposed in this study emphasises aspects of competitiveness and profitability, which is of relevance to management practitioners.Originality/valueThis study addresses current shortcomings in how the circular economy is conceptualised. As a result, it proposes a more comprehensive conceptualisation which also includes competitiveness and profitability aspects and, thereby, is relevant from a management studies perspective. It also provides paradigmatic anchoring to the circular economy concept by suggesting that the sustaincentric paradigm, which has received limited scholarly attention so far, is suitable to inform circular economy research and practice.

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Transformative Business Models for Sustainability Transitions

Cited by 15 publications

References 23 publications

Transition without Conflict? Renewable Energy Initiatives in the Dutch Energy Transition

Transition without Conflict? Renewable Energy Initiatives in the Dutch Energy Transition

The business of rapid transition

Circular economy: laying the foundations for conceptual and theoretical development in management studies

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