Helping Business Contribute to a Sustainability Transition: Archetypes of Business Models for Sustainability

Abstract

This chapter discusses business models for sustainability (BMfS). The objective for BMfS is to increase positive or decrease negative impacts of business performance on the environment and society, simultaneously providing long-term well-being of the organization and its stakeholders. The chapter looks at BMfS from a systems perspective and analyses how sustainable values are integrated into organizations’ performances. Furthermore, benefits and challenges of BMfS related to capacity building, stakeholder inclusion and the scope of innovations inherent in the models are discussed. Conclusively, the chapter appraises the potential of BMfS to contribute to macro level transition to sustainability.