Business Cases for Sustainability and the Role of Business Model Innovation : Developing a Conceptual Framework

A considerable body of literature deals with the creation of economic value while increasing corporate environmental and social performance. Some publications even focus on the business case for sustainability which is targeted towards increasing corporate economic value through environmental or social measures. The existence of a business case for sustainability is, however, mostly considered to be an ad hoc measure, an add-on to core business, or simply a coincidence. As a contrast to these views this paper argues that to support a systematic, ongoing creation of business cases for sustainability may require business model innovation. A framework for business model innovation is proposed as a means to strategically create business cases on a regular basis as an inherent, deeply integrated element of business activities