Search Results (119)

Leadership is essential for promoting the circular economy (CE) by fostering systemic thinking, promoting resource efficiency, and driving innovative practices that close material loops and minimize environmental impact. In addition, the principles of CE recommend changing production chains to balance economic development, sustainability, and social well-being. This study examines a tertiary packaging company’s circular economy implementation, by using a framework and a circular business model canvas (CBMC) and by identifying the challenges and opportunities for improving environmental management. The method was a participatory research case study using interviews and frameworks. In the context of this company, servitization in logistics was highlighted as an alternative to overcome growth challenges and to add value; however, the company faces significant challenges in implementing it. In addition, it is necessary to increase consciousness among those involved about the concept of the CE and its benefits to improve operational efficiency and review product design to expand environmental management. This research concludes that servitization (as a circular economy strategy), environmental education, and innovation practices can help companies achieve greater financial performance in the packaging industry and contribute to sustainable development goals—SDG achievements. Full article

This project consists of a digital platform named Tri-Collab, where investors, entrepreneurs, and other agents (mainly talents) can cooperate on their ideas and eventually co-create. It is a digital means for this triad of actors (among other potential ones) to better adjust their requirements. It includes an app that easily communicates with a database of projects, innovation agents and their profiles, and the originality lies in the matching algorithm. Thus, co-creation can have better support through this assertive interconnection of players and their resources. This work also highlights the usefulness of the Canvas Business Model in structuring the idea and its dashboard, allowing a comprehensive view of channels, challenges and gains. Also, the potential of machine learning in improving matchmaking platforms is discussed, especially when technological advancements allow for forecasts and match people at scale. Full article

The paper presents business models (BMs) for blockchain-based businesses. The paper is a study of IT-aligned BMs categorized by the concepts and possibilities of blockchain business applications. The research aimed to recognize and analyze the extent and directions in which blockchain architectures influence the means of conducting businesses. A set of almost 40,000 decentralized applications is examined to justify the rationale behind the presented analysis. This is an argumentative study that uses the design-oriented approach, as it is suitable for addressing real-world problems, like analyzing business models, while ensuring that artifacts are created and evaluated under methodological standards. Firstly, the concept of a business model is analyzed. Then, a theoretical analysis of different business models is made to identify the ones that are well aligned with the decentralized vision of business and the ones that are obsolete or inoperative from the blockchain business-conducting perspective. In the end, the outcome is applied to examples of existing business startups. Fifteen identified BMs in 7 business sector groups are recognized and 55 cases are detected. Full article

The importance of social farming (SF) is known in the literature, yet there is a lack of suitable tools for evaluating and monitoring these practices. Moreover, there is also a lack of data and information about the outcomes of the experiences and the impact they have on various stakeholders. Consequently, it is difficult to understand the extent to which SF can contribute to the achievement of sustainability and rural development goals. This study proposes an integrated framework to evaluate social farming practices, combining different methodologies such as SWOT analysis, Business Model Canvas (BMC), Social Return on Investment (SROI), and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The research evaluated a regional initiative in Lazio Region (Italy), aimed at the socio-occupational integration of disadvantaged individuals through SF networks. Data collection involved 127 stakeholders through interviews and focus groups. Through the integration of SWOT analysis and BMC, the strong influence of the local contexts and project leaders on the impacts of SF is shown. In addition, the integration of AHP with SROI highlights how to address the limitations in quantifying social, economic, and environmental benefits, thus improving the accuracy of impact assessments. Finally, the results underline the need for policies that ensure the continuity and scalability of SF projects, highlighting the central role of the farm in sustainable socio-occupational inclusion. The study contributes to the advancement of SF evaluation methodologies and informs future policy development. Full article

The paper focuses on the issue of the resilience of energy company business models under energy transition conditions. The main aim of this paper is to identify the key factors responsible for the resilience of an energy company’s business model. This paper presents an excerpt from research on the resilience of energy company business models and the development of a system for assessing the resilience of the energy company business model. The research used a systems approach and a multi-criteria method of hierarchical analysis of decision-making problems, the so-called AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process). Its selected elements were adapted to solve the scientific problem presented in this paper. Additionally, an approach to building resilient business model strategies was used in the research process. The research instrument adopted for the analyses was a model using the concept of the so-called New Era of Innovation. It was supplemented with the elements of the Canvas model. The results of the research in the form of identified key resilience factors of the energy company’s business model are presented in this article. Of the 79 resilience factors analyzed, 28 were identified as being key to the resilience of the business model. These findings formed the basis for the development of a business model resilience assessment system. The research indicates that learning about the key factors responsible for the resilience of an energy company’s business model is an important and necessary part of the tool for assessing resilience. Full article

(1) Background and objectives: Global crises such as climate change, pandemics, and resource depletion present unprecedented challenges that require coordinated and innovative responses. This study advocates for a bottom-up strategy by proposing and developing tools that empower individuals and organizations to embrace green and sustainable entrepreneurship, fostering localized solutions with global impact. In this context, the research explored the integration of technology-enabled entrepreneurship education (EE) into engineering curricula, with a focus on sustainable and green entrepreneurship. Leveraging insights from European projects, the research developed a cloud-based entrepreneurship educational system featuring three e-learning platforms. Particularly, one e-learning platform was specifically designed to support green and sustainable entrepreneurship education. (2) Methods: the study involved literature reviews, stakeholder surveys, interviews with green entrepreneurs, and iterative platform design. (3) Results: Key outcomes of the research include a methodology for designing pedagogical strategies and learning content for green and sustainable EE. Additionally, digital tools such as the green business innovation canvas, TRIZ-inspired matrices, and AI-driven recommendation systems were created to equip learners with the skills to develop sustainable business models. (4) Originality: The study’s novelty lies in its integration of advanced digital tools with original pedagogical strategies, providing a scalable framework for incorporating sustainability into entrepreneurship education. These findings have practical implications for educators and policymakers working to promote eco-friendly business practices. Future research should investigate the scalability of these tools across diverse educational contexts and evaluate their long-term impact on fostering sustainable entrepreneurial mindsets. Full article

This study investigates the potential of biochar production from urban pruning waste as a sustainable solution within a circular economy framework. Urban green waste, often underutilized, typically increases landfill burden and greenhouse gas emissions. Converting pruning waste into biochar reduces landfill reliance while enabling stable carbon sequestration. Utilizing the circular triple-layered business model canvas (CTLBMC), biochar’s impact is evaluated across economic, environmental, and social dimensions. This structured analysis is based on a theoretical framework and uses secondary data to illustrate the model’s applicability. As a result of the conducted studies, it was found that biochar derived from urban green waste not only improves soil phytotoxicity and enables long-term carbon sequestration, but also offers economic benefits, including municipal cost savings in waste management and diversified revenue streams from biochar sales. Socially, biochar production promotes community engagement in sustainable practices and supports urban greening initiatives, enhancing local ecosystems. The findings suggest that biochar production, assessed through the CTLBMC framework, represents a viable circular business model. This approach provides significant environmental, economic, and social benefits over conventional disposal, offering valuable insights for policymakers, waste management professionals, and urban planners advancing circular economy solutions. Full article

The Business Model Canvas and value chain have significantly impacted how companies and entrepreneurs develop their business strategies. Both the Business Model Canvas and the value chain provide a simple, visual approach to effectively map out the key elements of a business. They have also been used as foundational models for ecosystem business models. Ecosystem business models are created by integrating the Business Model Canvas and the pie model, known as the Integrated Business Model. Another method for generating an ecosystem business model is integrating the value chain and the pie model, known as the service-dominated business model radar. Ecosystem business models with an organizational approach also provide a broad view of the roles of each organization, divided into five actors: governor, input provider, aggregator, enabler, and end user. In this research, the perspective of the ecosystem business model originates from an ecological analogy. The ecological concept consists of community ecology and ecosystem ecology. Community ecology relates to the types of actors that play roles in the ecosystem, while ecosystem ecology pertains to the value chain processes within the ecosystem. This research will discuss the advantages and limitations of the Business Model Canvas, the value chain, and organizations as foundational models for ecosystem business models, as well as opportunities to create new ecosystem business models based on the concepts of community ecology and ecosystem ecology. The new business model developed will be applied to electric vehicles in sustainable tourism areas. Full article

Upscaling coastal nature-based solutions (NbSs), from the river to sea scale, essential to the ultimate success of restoration, requires larger investments, greater socio-economic engagement and a transformative shift in governance. Consequently, the ability to catalyze blended finance from public and private investors through business model innovation and accessibly written long-range business plans is imperative. This research proposes a methodology to systematically co-design, through iterative stakeholder engagement, suitable and effective business models for upscaling NbSs coastal restoration, as well as a framework to develop business plans adaptable to different investors needs and financial criteria. This method was tested and validated in a saltmarsh restoration project coordinated by public agencies in the Venice Lagoon. It delivered an advanced business model canvas, carefully assessed through a stakeholder questionnaire and a related business case centered on ecotourism complemented by a willingness-to-pay analysis. The resulting business plan lays out the governance, management, business and financial strategies for successful restoration, addressing specific interconnected issues, improving five main ecosystem services and delivering NbS multifunctional environmental, economic, social and cultural benefits. The methodology has proven to be applicable beyond the Venice Lagoon saltmarsh case and types of restoration projects. Full article

Technology is evolving and being implemented across nearly every sector of society, including health, nutrition, and sustainability. Specifically, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an essential tool in gastronomy, not only facilitating chefs’ work but also fostering business innovation through cost reduction. However, for a gastronomic business to be profitable, it is crucial to understand its strategic elements. In this study, three groups associated with gastronomy—chefs, entrepreneurs, and gastronomic experts—were surveyed to gather their opinions on the application of artificial intelligence in the restaurant sector in Spain. Additionally, the Business Model Canvas and Lean Model Canvas were developed, specifically adapted for the restaurant sector. These models, as novel approaches, allowed for the identification of key success factors based on the respondents’ experiences, considering that the Business Model Canvas focuses on the market and the company, while the Lean Model Canvas prioritizes the market and the product. This distinction is essential for mitigating the high failure rate in the restaurant industry in Spain. The results from the Canvas models and SWOT analysis have allowed us to understand the participants’ views. They largely see the use of AI in gastronomy as beneficial due to innovation in recipes and cost savings. However, concerns were raised about the potential loss of human touch in dish preparation and increased unemployment due to the automation of some cooking processes. These findings could be highly relevant for future restaurant entrepreneurs. Full article

Currently, banks are facing challenges in fulfilling the interests of stakeholders, not only from an economic point of view, but also in terms of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects. This is due to the increasing concern for sustainability issues, including lending activities. Lending activities constitute the largest portion of bank assets and are the largest contributor to bank revenues. Thus, banks need certain business models and strategies to encourage sustainable lending growth; otherwise, it will be difficult for banks to fulfill stakeholder’s interests and support sustainable development goals. This study aimed to build a sustainable business model and select sustainable lending strategies in state-owned banks in Indonesia using a value chain approach. The development of a sustainable business model utilizing a triple-layer business model canvas (TLBMC) is based on the results of previous research and sustainability report data of the three state-owned banks. The formulation of strategy selection as the key driver of sustainable lending utilized the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) based on expert respondent data collected through questionnaires. This research showed that the lending distribution business model at state-owned banks in Indonesia, which was built using the TLBMC framework, can realize sustainability goals in the form of a sustainable lending business model. Furthermore, this sustainable business model can be used as a basis for selecting sustainable strategies. In addition, the AHP results yielded alternative strategies in the form of the market development and penetration of green loans and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as the key drivers of sustainable lending growth. Full article

The smart city concept has entered the public debate over the last decade as a concept for the development of urban space for the efficiency, improvement and availability of public and private services and sustainability. The Business Models Canvas is most often used in the literature for the creation of business models of smart services. On the basis of the above, we investigated whether the Business Models Canvas is the most used tool for creating business models for public smart services in Slovakia and whether cities and municipalities need to evaluate their models for the provision of public smart services. However, there is no commonly used methodology for evaluating smart city business models to help both practitioners and researchers choose the best option. The goal of the research is to create a tool for evaluating business models of public smart services in smart cities. The base method used was the Delphi method, based on the previous primary (content) analysis process of the Business Model Canvas best practices. In total, 709 towns and villages participated in the primary research. Subsequently, the obtained data were evaluated and used for further research using the Delphi method, in which 28 experts participated. The research was carried out between 2020 and 2023 in Slovakia. Primary research confirmed that the Business Models Canvas is the most used tool for creating business models for public smart services in Slovakia and cities and municipalities need to evaluate their models for the provision of public smart services. Areas and basic building blocks were also identified for the design of the evaluation methodology of business models for public smart services. The proposal of the methodology for evaluating business smodels for public smart services in Slovakia was implemented using the Delphi method with the cooperation of 28 experts. Based on the results of the Delphi method, a methodological procedure for evaluating business models for public smart services was established. The methodology proposed in the paper is a simple, organized, flexible and transparent system that facilitates the work of evaluators of business models of public smart services and marketing. Full article

Agricultural wastes (AWs) generated from farming practices pose environmental threats if not properly disposed of or recycled through biological processes. Mushroom production presents a sustainable solution by converting AWs into highly nutritious food while mitigating environmental pollution. However, there is a lack of comprehensive frameworks to assist farmers and businesses in visually understanding the essential elements of a circular bioeconomy, such as mushroom production’s potential interconnections and impacts on value creation. This study theoretically elaborates on a framework using the Business Model Canvas to structure mushroom production across the following key business areas: customers, supply chains, infrastructure, and economic viability. We discuss these aspects within the context of recent studies. In addition to guiding farmers and businesses, we align mushroom production with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the supply chain, underscoring the importance of developing business models to foster the growth of circular economies and sustainability. Full article

A circular economy (CE) appears to be a crucial tool enabling the sustainable use of natural resources, which is also essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Agenda by 2030. Compared to the traditional linear economy policy based on the “take-make-use-dispose” principle, the CE approach guided by the “designed to be remade” principle offers immense opportunities. Not only does it drastically reduce the need for primary resources, but it also revolutionizes the management of both resources and waste. The CE is significant for metal processing companies due to increased control over resources and waste reduction. Furthermore, it enables the efficient utilization of natural resources and minimizes the negative environmental impact, translating into the sustainable development of metallurgical activities. Additionally, recycling processes in metal processing can also have financial benefits by reducing the raw material procurement costs and lowering the waste disposal fees. The CE business model of the innovation and improvement of metal processing involves optimizing resource usage through continuous material processing and reuse. Companies develop advanced recycling technologies, implement efficient resource management strategies, and adopt service-oriented business models like leasing or part exchanging. These initiatives aim to increase value addition and minimize waste. Additionally, the ongoing investment in research and development facilitates the introduction of innovative processes and materials, leading to operational enhancement and environmental sustainability. The main aim of this study was to develop a CE business model for a metal processing company. This model allowed for identifying the key elements influencing the operations of companies in this industry in terms of the CE. Research was conducted through triangulation using various methods, such as focus group interviews, surveys, and individual in-depth interviews. This study was supplemented with an investment decision-making algorithm according to the CE and the CE business model canvas for metalworking enterprises, with a focus on those producing metal products subsequently covered with galvanic coating. The presented results also propose application in other SMEs within this industry sector. Full article

While circular business models are receiving increasing academic attention, the business models of real circular building companies remain underexamined. This paper builds upon existing conceptual proposals and general overviews of reuse actors to investigate how these organizations capture and create value within the constraints of the marketplace. Using data from case studies of 25 organizations involved in the reuse of construction waste streams, the business model of each case is described and compared using Osterwalder and Pigneur’s Business Model Canvas. The authors propose six categories of circular construction business model types: upcyclers, component-specific suppliers, material resellers, reuse platforms, reuse consulting offices and deconstruction companies. The key findings include the studied organizations’ consolidation of multiple waste and new product streams, the strategic minimization of hard assets, the cultivation of diverse revenue streams and an emphasis on private market solutions. Full article