Firm Size and the Business Model for Sustainable Innovation

María E. Aguilar-Fernández and José Ramon Otegi-Olaso
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María E. Aguilar-Fernández: Department of Graphic Design and Engineering Projects, Faculty of Engineering in Bilbao, University of the Basque Country, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
José Ramon Otegi-Olaso: Department of Graphic Design and Engineering Projects, Faculty of Engineering in Bilbao, University of the Basque Country, 48013 Bilbao, Spain

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 12, 1-27

Abstract: Companies innovate towards sustainability because this may allow them to improve both their socio-environmental and economic performance. Firms that lead the way evolve towards a sustainable business model. However, small and large businesses face different challenges. This research therefore analyses the role of firm size in the business model developed towards sustainable innovation. The sample was obtained from the database of companies that make up the Global Reporting Initiative. The projects presented in the reports were seen as vehicles to support sustainable innovation. The method used was quantitative content analysis. The results show that the size of the company influences on how the supply chain and the financial elements of the business model are developed.

Keywords: sustainable innovation; business model; firm-size; SME; MNE; innovation projects; GRI; content analysis; SEM (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:12:p:4785-:d:190694

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