Design Options for Sustainable and Open Business Models: A Taxonomy-Based Analysis

Franziska Mais () and Thomas Bauernhansl
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Franziska Mais: Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Nobelstrasse 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Thomas Bauernhansl: Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Nobelstrasse 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 11, 1-24

Abstract: The imperative for decarbonization forces businesses to transform their business models (BMs) and to adopt Sustainable Business Models which focus on creating value sustainably. In the context of Sustainable Business Model Innovation, maintaining close relationships within ecosystems is crucial to ensure a sustainable transformation while preserving competitiveness. As corporate boundaries become more transparent, the importance of external resources increases, leading to a shift from closed to open business models (OBM). In OBMs, stakeholders, including customers, actively co-create innovation and value creation. Our research investigates how integrating these approaches can shape BMs that effectively address decarbonization drivers and tackle the required business model innovation. We conducted a structured literature review to develop a taxonomy that outlines 64 design options across nine dimensions for sustainable, open BMs. In conclusion, this study provides sustainable and open design options, classified into detailed taxonomies. The practical applicability of this taxonomy was demonstrated through a use case classification, providing a foundation for companies and further research into designing and implementing these BMs in the context of decarbonization.

Keywords: sustainability; business model; sustainable business model; open business model; open innovation; taxonomy; sustainable transformation; decarbonization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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